Best Helix for Ball Pythons?

BP-R-US · 03-30-05, 05:54 PM

Hey Guys,

I am building 3 racks so 30 containers. There size is 16*6*31.5 (roughly) Rubbermaid’s. I was wondering what would be the best Helix to control all of them and what size heat tape I should put under the Rubbermaid’s? I have only used aquariums so far so all I have experience with is under tank heaters and the cheap Alife Reptile Electronic Temperature Controllers. Thanks for the advice in advance.

smeagel · 03-30-05, 07:14 PM

I would suggest the Helix DBS1000. As far as I am concerned it is the best Thermoctat on the marked. Before i got one i had to constantlt adjust my temps with a dimmer switch and my temps fluctuated quit a bit. Now the Helix sees to it that they stay relatively stable. I am going to be building my own rack system soon and I plan on useing 11 inch heat tape.

jglass38 · 03-31-05, 10:36 AM

Why spend the extra $ on a helix when you can get a herpstat for about $40 less. These are awesome thermostats (I use them). Check out www.mgreptiles.com. Great prices and great customer service (and he sells Helix if that is really the way you want to go)

BP-R-US · 03-31-05, 12:36 PM

So would one Helix or herpstat do fine for 3 racks? The herpstat looks just as good as the helix, but it is only a $20.00 difference so I might just stick to Helix.

smeagel · 03-31-05, 12:49 PM

The Helix can only handle 500W, unless you get an adapter that ups the power it can handle. Not sure what the herpstat will handle.

satfreebie · 03-31-05, 04:18 PM

How do you figure out the watts with the flex watt.

Dave Barsalou · 03-31-05, 05:14 PM

Watts per foot times # of feet. (don't forget, there is a max run allowed for a few reasons, don't exceed it)

ie: 5 feet of 11" Flexwatt (20W/ft)

5 x 20= 100W

All the power is only needed during startups, etc. With a pulse proportional thermostat its like a trickle of energy to the heat tape instead of full blast, shut off, full blast, shut off.

Dave

the helix 1007 is a single 1500W unit (that's 1500W in once source allowed instead of plug in modules at 500W max each. The 1007 allow allows 2 additional 500W plug ins. (maybe 3?).

BP-R-US · 03-31-05, 05:38 PM

So let me see if I understand this, so a 1 foot strip of 11" Flexwat under each rubbermaid, per rack would be 200W * 3 so 600W. Also do you run the Flexwatt in series or each strip into the Helix. Does anyone know of a diagram to show how the setup should take place on a rack or multi-rack.

Once again, Thanks for all the help.

dystopia · 04-01-05, 03:43 AM

I honestly like mykee's rack design and heating design the best. It's here:
http://www.strictlyballs.ca/snakerack.html

For a flexwatt parallel wiring diagram, go here:
http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/Flexwatt_parallel.pdf

HTH
Jeremy

BP-R-US · 04-03-05, 12:06 PM

Thanks for all the help, I think I will go with the Helix 1000 or 1007 not sure yet.