Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last winter I had a problem with my snake shed not maintaining a constant temp and lost some snakes do to overheating of a heater with "built in" thermostat. Well I saw the Ranco thermostats around, which would have a wide enough range to control my hibernating temps during the winter. But I've never worked with them before. Are they worth the money? Would they be able to control my cooling unit and my heater at the same time in order to keep my shed from getting to warm during hibernation or will I need two thermostats for that function? Thanks.
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Conrad

Too Fast Reptiles

Hi Conrad,

I do believe Ranco has a thermostat that will handle your needs. Herpsupplies.com used to have a good description of the different Ranco's and another product that may be even better. I think it was called Green Way or something like that.

Let us know what you find out.

Sorry I could not provide more specific information.

I've been investigating Rancos vs. Big apples vs. Helix. So far, for my useage, a Ranco would work best, because it is the only company that offers a thermostat able to control my heater to hibernating levels. BUT...Big Apples and Helix have awesome systems for rack heating, but not for use on ROOM heating from what I can find. I use a standard round parabolic heater and the output would be too much for all but the upgraded Helix. And I my snake room has independent heating(parobolic heater) and cooling(window AC), so I need something with a dual function that controls both the cool spectrum and the heating spectrum so that I can keep my shed at a constant range all winter long, even on the odd 70 degree days that occur here and will totally through off hibernating as it will be too warm. We also have nights that drop below 40 during the winter so there is the other end problem. If anyone else has come up with anything that may be of use to me, please let me know. Thanks.
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Conrad

Too Fast Reptiles

Grainger sells them for $55.00 you attach the "plug" yourself, Or wire the heater direct. I have also seen them for the same price in a farm supply catalog called QC supply. i would say you would have use Two. I am not sure how your set up runs and if it will work the wat you want it to.

Ranco makes a dual stage thermostat to control your heater and cooler.
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www.BallPython.Us

Where I could find one? I've been looking around and haven't had come up with anything yet. You know any place specific that carries the one that handles both heater and cooling dually?
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Conrad

Too Fast Reptiles

I have a very similar problem and I think I found the way to fix it for me. First off the best price I have found on the Ranco is at http://www.johnstonesupply.com/ Just look for one close to you and go pick it up. Most of the places online sell them for $100 and the ones that are cheaper don't have any instock. My problem was I needed to drop my room temperature at night and keep it at 85 during the day. In the winter the nights can get below 20 here so I need to have a heater on at night too. The way I have solved this problem is as follows. I have two space heaters, both on timers. Each one is attached to a ranco with 85 during the day and 72 during the night. When the one goes off the other comes on. Allowing the temperature to drop slowly because the room is in my basement/garage. Without the night heater my room would be 40 easily and that is much too low.
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Paul Farmer
F & B Reptiles
pj_farmer@hotmail.com
Our Website

I haven't thought of that yet. I might have to give it a try. But for my use sound likes the Rancos are going to be the best anyway. I'll look up that website and see if they have anything I can use. Thanks for the info.
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Conrad

Too Fast Reptiles