Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've seen photos of several incubator rooms online that have oil filled heaters in them.

Has anyone here utilized this method before?

I have the model with climate control,but i dont know if i can trust it or not.
Can/should they be used with a proportional thermostat?
Or should they only be used with an on/off type thermostat?
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Charles Glaspie

I strongly recommend not relying on the built it temperature controller. I always run mine through an on-off thermostat that is rated for at least 1500 watts.

An on/off is probably slightly better due to the high load of your space heater.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Hey Chris,
Come to think of it,i have not seen a propertional over 500 watts.I had completely forgotten the wattage difference,sheesh.

Thanks
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Charles Glaspie

Hello Charles,

In our facility we use several different set-ups for oil filled heaters.

In our baby room which is only about 11x12 we use a 1500 watt heater connected to a Ranco (on/off) digital thermostat. The Ranco is capable of slightly more than 1500watts but because of the small size of the room we are able to use it on the 600watt setting. Most of these heaters have 2 switches... one for 600w and the other for 900w (or similar numbers that add up to 1500). Flip both switched for 1500w usage.

In our python incubation room which is about 5x9 we also use a 1500w heater but it is controlled by a Helix Super System. This system is a proportional system with 1500w capability. We also use this heater on its 600w setting due to the insulation value of this room. This set-up keeps this room between 89.3 and 90.3F.

We find that the proportional set-up is much more acute. Definitely what should be used for incubation. However for just heating a room for reptiles... the on/off types work well for the cost.

Hope this helps...

Oh yeah... and the Helix Basic System (the little blue one identical to the Super System) and the Helix DBS-1000 (popular rack thermostat) are both only 500w, but the Basic system is expandable to a Super System with a bigger power supply.

LATER!
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Sean Bradley
Owner : EbN
www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornSnakeMorphs.com

**Most of these heaters have 2 switches... one for 600w and the other for 900w (or similar numbers that add up to 1500). Flip both switched for 1500w usage.**

Yep,thats what i have here.
Thanks Sean,if a stand up freezer plan i'm working on doesn't pan out.Then i will be going after the t-stat you mentioned for a walk in closet setup.

How long have you been running yours(1500watter)without fail? (aka..."sticking" wide open /overheating)
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Charles Glaspie

Hello Charles,

I have been running the heater on the Ranco for about 3 years. Previous to that we ran the same EXACT heater on an analog "dial-type" industrial grade on/off thermostat for 6 years. I had another set-up that I used in my house a long time ago that my cousin has now that has been running for about 7 years straight. Never had a problem with an oil-filled heater.

Good luck!
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Sean Bradley
Owner : EbN
www.ExoticsByNature.com
www.BallPythonMorphs.com
www.CornSnakeMorphs.com

My question was a little vague...

I was actually concerned the 1500 watt proportional thermostat.
Have you ever had one actually fail/apply non-restricted power?

... i guess i could always run a backup on/off t-stat at a slightly higher temp.

Thank you
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Charles Glaspie

As the other poster mentioned, you can expand the wattage capabilities of the Helix. I don't know if there are other proportionals that have that capability.

If you buy a Ranco or Johnson Controls Tstat you can adjust the differential to just two degrees, I believe. Stock the differential is 4*. So the Tstat would cycle on at 76* and cycle off at 80*, for example.

Not a huge deal if you have a lot of thermal mass in the room. The Tstat's temp may change by 4*, but the temperature change of most of the objects in the room won't be as great. And you can adjust that differential lower anyways.

Here's a great post from the Cage and Habitat forum:

http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=753985,754134

Thank you Chris
I see the reason for concern now,and i will run a backup on/off t-stat,just in case my proportional freaks out on me.
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Charles Glaspie