Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was searching the forums debating on if I should get an on/off or proportional thermostat (I read that a proportional isn't really needed unless you're using it in an incubator where you need exact temperatures) Someone mentioned putting a dimmer/rheostat in line with a thermostat. What is the point in this, shouldn't the thermo do the job of regulating heat?
Also I came up with a probe situation on a thermostat. If I place the probe on the basking spot in the warm side hide what if my BP lays on the probe and since his body heat will be lower than what I have the thermo set at it will probablly crank up the heat on the flexwatt, so where should the probe be to avoid this??

the only rreason i could see to use a dimmer in line with a thermo is if your heat mat got too hot, it could burn the sake using the dimmer the pad wouldnt ever get quite as hot - but in turn it would take longer to heat the cage. however this would do less harm to your snake if it gets down on the glass.

but i dont konw if a thermostat would work if it had a lower voltage coming to it. therefore i would get a plug in dimmer for like a table lamp or something and plug it into the thermostat, then plug the flexwatt into that if you choose to go that route.

just mke sure the dimmer is set high enough to achieve the proper heat.
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-Chris

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Before I went that route I would just go proportional.. After you buy the dimmer and wiring for it you can have a proportinal..
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` All of my heat sources are set up that way. Dimmer between thermostat and heat source. Dimmer set so heat source can't go over 90 degrees. If the thermostat sticks on, they won't be cooked.
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