Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, anyone have info on the Helix thermos? The Bean Farm page really doesn't tell you much and I was wondering how I would use it on my set up. I have 5 Animal Plastics racks (the 7 hole) and they each pull max 177 watts. I would probably only be using 3 or maybe 4 racks. Do you plug the racks into a powerstrip, place a temperature probe, set the thermostat and then plug the powerstrip into the Helix? I am kind of completely lost as to what needs to be done. Can I use a single Helix on more than one rack? If so, how many can it control? Thanks for any info and advice.
Peter

Hi Peter,

Is this the same Peter with whom I exchanged multiple e-mails last year re. plastic racks? The school teacher with cornsnakes? Hope you're doing well if I have the right person.

Regardless, I just tried to check Helixcontrols.com but the site was acting funny.

I'm guessing that your Helix does not have the wattage capacity for the max 885 watts that all of your racks could pull. You can buy a wattage upgrade, or at least I believe you can.

Another choice would be the Johnson Controls Thermostat or the Ranco Thermostat if you have not already purchased the Helix.

If The Bean Farm does not have them you could get either from the following site:

http://www.dsreptiles.com/products.php

I've heard he is a great guy to deal with. I'll likely be getting a Johson Controls from him soon.

But in theory you can run multiple racks from one thermostat if it can handle the wattage. Simply plug them into a multi-strip as you suggested.
-----
Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Hey, thanks for the info. Glad you remembered me. I was thinking of putting 2 to maybe 3 racks on a single Helix. They will never have to run at full force so I was hoping a maximum of 3 racks to a unit. So I guess I can plug two into some sort of power strip and then plug the powerstrip into the Helix? I looked online for Helix (albeit briefly) and didn't come up with anything and the sights that sell them don't have a whole lot of technical info. I guess I might have to call somebody like the Bean Farm up and ask about the features and the way to hook them up. So far the ambient temp in my room here has been more than sufficient but winter is coming and I hate heating the whole upstairs just for the racks. Thanks again.

You shoulden't need the extra power strip if you are only plugging in 1-3 plugs. The Helix comes standard with 3 outlets. I had one for a while, sold it with my snakes, now I am buying the updated virsion (with the grounded cord, from TBF). I can answer questions about the use, but I sent th paperwork with it, so I am not all that good for the tecnical information, although I am sure I could find it online, if you tell me what you are specifically looking for.
-----
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Thanks for the info. Just which model are you getting? There is the DBS 1000 and now a DBS 1001. So you mean I can plug the racks directly in the unit, set the temps and probe and I'm done? Is there any big benefit of buying the grounded version? And will the DBS take grounded plugs? A million thanks.
Pete

Hey, I had, and will be getting the DBS 1000.

Yes, as long as you don't have more than 3 plugs, you can plug the racks directly in the unit. Then all you have to do is set the temps where you want them and place the probe.

The only benifit to the grounded cord is a little extra reassurance and secutity, but it is not necessary, mine worked just fine without it, but for a $6 difference, I just figured, why not? You know?

If I remember correctly it will take grounded plugs, but I never used them and I am having a hard time remembering.

No problem, I am always glad to help.
-----
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Thanks again. I had better order them soon.
BTW, love the 'signature' or taglines at the bottom of your posts.

No problem. Glad I could help. My Signature means alot to me, those are quotes I live by. I am me and if someone doesn't like it ... LOL Oh well! There loss! And I am in NO way self centered, I just don't see wasting my time trying to conform to what is "normal".
-----
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

Are they all from the same person? You credited Kurt Cobain on the first one but who said the other two?

I am not sure LOL I saw them on a quotes site or a t-shirt or something LOL.

By the way, I just had a flashback and I am thinking the Helix might not accept grounded cords, I wonder if the upgraded one does?
-----
"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~