Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, first off let me admit that I am technologically challenged! My question is... on the helix (DBS1000?) that I am using the number on the LED keeps varying. I set it for 89 degrees but it reads 77 to 84. Is it supposed to? Does it reflect what the temperature at the probe is? I have read and re-read the instructions but I am still unsure and I find that input from people with first hand experience is always best so any tips? Also is it ok to run two kinds of heat sources off of one unit. I am curently running a peice of 3" heat tape and a 6"x6" pet store heat pad.
-----
1.1 Balls (1.0 het clown 0.1 normal)
1.1 Kittys and
0.1 WC Human
"I need evaluation...and dinner; and by dinner I don't mean gnome heads!"

Once the program is running, it's the temp at the probe.
-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

The temperature reading that you see is the temperature at the probe. So make sure your probe is correctly secured to your heat source.

I done told ya NP!
-----
1.1 Balls (1.0 het clown 0.1 normal)
1.1 Kittys and
0.1 WC Human
"I need evaluation...and dinner; and by dinner I don't mean gnome heads!"

Does the DBS support a nightime temperature drop and if so how do you set it up?

>>Does the DBS support a nightime temperature drop and if so how do you set it up?

Mine does. You just follow the instructions that come with it. And remember, when setting the timer, ON means you are turning on the night-time drop monitor.
-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

The timer can go either way, on for night or on for day. Jeff at Helix will answer any questions.

>>The timer can go either way, on for night or on for day. Jeff at Helix will answer any questions.

Huh? My Helix is a few years old and if it's off, night-time drop does NOT turn on. Meaning, it stays hot at night. I think I know what you are saying. IMHO, Helix systems can be a bit confusing to use and not very straight-forward. Yes, Jeff at Helix would be best to answer these questions. I know I have sent several emails to him just to setup my system and have sent some since when it when "crazy". Nothing major. I had to kill the power so it would reset. But a pain to first diagnose.
-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Jay,
I have a few Helix DBS-1000, a couple of them just arrived. The timer can go either way. If you have no timer it won't do the night drop. The new instruction sheet is pretty straight forward. I have never used any other brand so I can't compare, I like the Helix and wanted to keep them all the same.

I don't think the Helix knows night and day, just that it has one set temp for when power is on and one set temp for when power is off, it doesn't matter which is which.

Thanks Mike

I would say no to using it with 2 different heat sources. Its not designed to work that way. If its going up and down that fast that means your heat tape or heat pad is not heating up fast enough. Thats why I always put the temp probe in the cage... so when the temp drops IN the cage the heat turns on until it get to the right temp, then turns off. I would suspect your temps inside the cage have a HUGE range... you should put a temp probe in there to find out... harborfreight sells them for like $10.