Pulse or Dimming thermostat options for heat mats and flex watt

[Mikoh4792]

Which do you prefer for these UTH's and why?

For overhead heating I use the dimming method since with pulse my enclosures look like a rave/strobe party.

[Danimal]

I use Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Temperature Controller for Heat Mats where I have flexwatt. On my roach bins and I have a cali king I recently inherited . So not a lot really, they are there to cut the power if the tape malfunctions and they are expensive. They seem to work +/- a few degrees. If I set the thermostat to 90 the power will cut at 90, the the temp will rise a few degrees before falling. Then it will cut back on a few deg below the set point. I have a few Herpstat 1s but haven't used them yet. I bought them for incubator builds. I don't have anything on my heat lamps.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Danimal

I use Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Temperature Controller for Heat Mats where I have flexwatt. On my roach bins and I have a cali king I recently inherited . So not a lot really, they are there to cut the power if the tape malfunctions and they are expensive. They seem to work +/- a few degrees. If I set the thermostat to 90 the power will cut at 90, the the temp will rise a few degrees before falling. Then it will cut back on a few deg below the set point. I have a few Herpstat 1s but haven't used them yet. I bought them for incubator builds. I don't have anything on my heat lamps.

Thanks for your response. I too have a hydrofarm which I use for my cali king but I was looking for input regarding pulse vs dimming on heat mats. Not really on/off.

Herstats are very nice. I am using two herpstat 2's(the red version) and it's my favorite thermostat so far. The night drop/system settings...etc options are really a plus for me.
To add you can choose between pulse, dimming and on and off with hersptat

[Donnie]

I have only used pulse with a heat mat and temps were very stable. A lot of the dimming stats over here have a minimum load so a lot of mats won't run on them.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Donnie

I have only used pulse with a heat mat and temps were very stable. A lot of the dimming stats over here have a minimum load so a lot of mats won't run on them.

What do you mean by dimming load and could you explain how that works with heat mats?

Thanks for the input

[Donnie]

Some dimming stats have a minimum load requirement of 40 watts so any heat mat that is under 40 watt power wouldn't work on that stat.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Donnie

Some dimming stats have a minimum load requirement of 40 watts so any heat mat that is under 40 watt power wouldn't work on that stat.

Ah I see. Does herpstat have this minimum load requirement?

[Donnie]

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

Ah I see. Does herpstat have this minimum load requirement?

I don't know as we don't have that brand over here. Have a look in the instruction booklet or look online for the particular model you have and it should tell you.

[formica]

pretty sure pulsed mode thermostats are not intended for heating lamps? strobe lamps are designed to withstand that kind of pulsing, heating lamps (or halogen or any other light that is none strobe) arnt, the act of switching on and off is what kills a light, thats why they often go when switched on. probly freaks out any reptiles havin too deal with that too lol

[Lankyrob]

Pulse thermostats are best used with non light emitting bulbs

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Lankyrob

Pulse thermostats are best used with non light emitting bulbs

How about for heat mats?

[Lankyrob]

They will work for heatmats too, the issues comes sith light emitting bulbs because they switch the bulb ona nd off constantly, the ceramic bubls i use are designed to take this and are fine for a few years of constant use, i think the filament ina light emitting bulb would burn out pretty quick tho