Helix Thermostats

[paulsreef]

Where do you get Helix thermostats in Toronto or the surrounding area?

Thanks, Paul.

[BoidKeeper]

PCPC.

[marisa]

I *think* Matt_K also sells them off his website which is http://www.mattkameka.com

I could be wrong as that might not be what you are looking for, or his page outdated. But like Trevor said, PCPC has 'em.

Marisa

[mykee]

Matt K has great prices on the DBS-1000's.

[brutus]

The DBS-1000 system!

I am new to this, but want to start making my own rack. Will this, or any thermostat control more than one shelf, or do you need a separate thermo per shelf?

[paulsreef]

Also I would like to know if you can use it without a rack but with numerous enclosures with under tank heaters. I imagine the individual heat pads would pobably need a probe each.
Thanks, Paul.

[mykee]

The Helix DBS-1000 will control up to 500 watts. For more info, check out: www.helixcontrols.com

[brutus]

OK, but how would you rig it up to do say 3 or 4 shelves?

[mykee]

If the 3 or 4 shelves don't exceed 500 watts, then yes.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Originally posted by brutus
OK, but how would you rig it up to do say 3 or 4 shelves?

It depends how you have it wired up. You can use either one continuous piece of heat tape OR sperate connections for each shelf/piece.

If it's one piece, just plug it into the Helix, set your probe up (best to fix it to the surface somehow; glue gun, cable ties, calking or etc), set your temp and go!

If you use seperate connections or multiple heat pads, just plug them into a powerbar or extension cord and plug THAT into the Helix. Then do the same things; set your probe up, set your temp and go!

:)

[peterm15]

hey how much do these things run... ive looked at them and there i think i need a new toy...

[paulsreef]

When running multiple heat pads; will one probe be accurate? I'm concerned that individual heat pads may produce different temps even though they are of the same wattage. I guess if they are off by a couple degrees it doesn't really matter.
Paul.

[Justcage]

As long as you have the same heating element and the room temps are stable then you shoudent see more than a few degrees of temp flux. Also never adhere your probe with any type of silicone or calk anythig liek that.. You need to place it with a peice of foil tape. If you use calk of hot glue it will create a form of inseluation around the probe makeing it read a lower temp than what the heating element is actually producing! The helix is a good unit, but I personally lilke the Herpstat.. Here is a link to a thermostat compairson page I made up.. Hope this helps..

http://www.mgreptiles.com/THERMOCOMPARE.html