I am converting a dorm fridge into an incubator and am having trouble deciding which thermostat to get. The options I am looking at are the Helix, Ranco, Big apple proportional and analog. Any experiences or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Reptile & Amphibian Forums
Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.
Which thermostat should i use for an incubator? more.....
chriscook
Jan 18, 2004 09:26 PM
Replies (1)
markg
Jan 19, 2004 07:50 PM
If you are using non-light-emitting heat sources like heat tape or heat rope or ceramic emitters to heat the interior, then your tightest control is with a proportional unit like Big Apple or Helix.
Ranco's are ON/OFF controllers with a differential that can be set I think as tight as 2 degrees. That is your next choice if you don't go with the proportional units above.
Those $30 analog controllers are ON/OFF with roughly 4 deg of differential. For colubrid eggs this is fine.
So in conclusion, here is my order of preference:
1. Any of the proportional units, whether GCS, Big Apple or Helix.
2. Ranco ON/OFF controller (single-stage heating)
3. Whatever else
