Thermostats.

[dangernoodles]

Okay.

1. Any thermostat recommendations for glass enclosures?

2. So I am a bit confused, should you purchase a thermometer AND a thermostat, or is the thermostat alone able to read and regulate the temperature? i.e can I buy a thermostat alone without the thermometer.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Aaron_S]

I have a temp gun and a thermostat. Thermostat regulates things, thermometer lets you know if you need to adjust the thermostat.

[dangernoodles]

I have a temp gun and a thermostat. Thermostat regulates things, thermometer lets you know if you need to adjust the thermostat.

Yeah.. but doesn´t the thermostat also read the temperature? I could be wrong.

[toddnbecka]

That depends on how good/acurate the the thermotat is. I use Herpstats from Spyder Robotics to regulate individual enclosures with RHP's or heat mats, and Helix DBS 1000's for racks with heat tape. The Helix has 3 outlets and a single temp probe, so all the strips of heat tape will be running the same as the one the probe is reading from. The Herpstats have individual probes for each outlet, and are available in single, 2, 4, or 6 outlet configurations.

[craigafrechette]

Yeah.. but doesn´t the thermostat also read the temperature? I could be wrong.

You don't want to rely on your thermostat probe to reliably read temps.

For example, if you're using a UTH the probe should be OUTSIDE the enclosure. So, you'll want to read the actual surface temp with a temp gun.
For heat from above, like heat lamps or RHPs you will have the probe inside the enclosure a few inches off the ground. So again, you'll rely on your temp gun for surface temps.

I also put two Accurite brand digital thermometers/hygrometer combos in each enclosure. They're only about $10 each. Pays for itself in peace of mind.

As for thermostats... HerpStat is the Rolls Royce of thermostats.
I've also used JunpStart and Big Apple tstats for years with no issues, they get me where I need to go with no problem.
It's basically a matter of bells and whistles. HerpStat will also shut heating equipment off if it malfunctions, while the others tend to fail "wide open" which essentially makes it as if there's no tstat at all and temps will likely spike.

[dangernoodles]

For example, if you're using a UTH the probe should be OUTSIDE the enclosure. So, you'll want to read the actual surface temp with a temp gun.
For heat from above, like heat lamps or RHPs you will have the probe inside the enclosure a few inches off the ground. So again, you'll rely on your temp gun for surface temps.



You are completely right. The heat meat is only going to really determine the temperature of the hotspot, and that is what I want to control. The thermometer will tell the ambient temperature/surface temperature.
Oh, and thank you for the suggestions.