thermostat question

KORBIN5895 · 05-01-12, 07:52 AM

Would it be possible to splice two probes onto one thermostat? My reason for asking is because I want to use one thermostat on two separate heat sources in two separate enclosures. By using two probes on one thermostat that would eliminate the chances of the heat source with the probe failing and the other heat source baking the other snake.

Gungirl · 05-01-12, 08:53 AM

I don't see any way you could make that work. It would throw the calibration way out of wack.

Brazen17 · 05-01-12, 09:00 AM

I don't see how it could work. At best it would average the readings but I don't even think it would do that. They're are thermometers that will take two seperate readings. Usually an inside reading from the unit itself and then an "outside" probe for a remote location. I either use this style thermometer or two deperated ones in all our tanks. You can find them at Walmart or home improvement centers. And of course Amazon!

shaunyboy · 05-01-12, 09:04 AM

i don't think it would work,as the probes would send conflicting information to the stat

you can buy digital stats,that can take up to 4 probes,so can run 4 tanks

they are about the price of buying 4 seperate stats though mate

cheers shaun

Terranaut · 05-01-12, 09:16 AM

If the 2 enclosures arent touching you could try this.
Measure both vivs cold with no heat. One will be cooler than the other( most times)
Put your temp probe in that viv and hook up heat as usual.
Hook up the same type of sources in the other viv but put a rheostat on the other heat source. Turn on until the temp in the viv with the probe is at the right level. Use the rheostat to fine tune the other viv. Use a heat gun to check/adjust it.

Might work??

hellosugaree · 05-01-12, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Would it be possible to splice two probes onto one thermostat? My reason for asking is because I want to use one thermostat on two separate heat sources in two separate enclosures. By using two probes on one thermostat that would eliminate the chances of the heat source with the probe failing and the other heat source baking the other snake.

No. You can get one of the herpstat models with multiple independent controllers/probes (2 or 4 depending on the model) or buy a thermostat for each enclosure. You can use a single thermostat to control two heat sources in one enclosure, but not two separate enclosures without the risk of baking a snake if the heat source fails in the enclosure that has the probe.

hellosugaree · 05-01-12, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranaut

If the 2 enclosures arent touching you could try this.
Measure both vivs cold with no heat. One will be cooler than the other( most times)
Put your temp probe in that viv and hook up heat as usual.
Hook up the same type of sources in the other viv but put a rheostat on the other heat source. Turn on until the temp in the viv with the probe is at the right level. Use the rheostat to fine tune the other viv. Use a heat gun to check/adjust it.

Might work??

If the heat source in the tank with the probe fails, the thermostat will read the tank (correctly) as being too cold. It will then try to pump out max heat to bring the temperature up, which will fry the snake in the other tank since the temperature in the tank with the probe will never go up with a busted heat source.

KORBIN5895 · 05-01-12, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosugaree

If the heat source in the tank with the probe fails, the thermostat will read the tank (correctly) as being too cold. It will then try to pump out max heat to bring the temperature up, which will fry the snake in the other tank since the temperature in the tank with the probe will never go up with a busted heat source.

That where the rheostat comes into play. It would restrict the non probed unit. Still not sure if it will work though. I may call my uncle up and see if I can make one.

Terranaut · 05-01-12, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hellosugaree

If the heat source in the tank with the probe fails, the thermostat will read the tank (correctly) as being too cold. It will then try to pump out max heat to bring the temperature up, which will fry the snake in the other tank since the temperature in the tank with the probe will never go up with a busted heat source.

Yup but if you cheap out you always risk something.
Just buy a cheap baseboard thermostat fro Rona. Not as good as a herpstat but better than sharing or rigging something. I paid $14 for each of mine. Let u k ow how they work.

hellosugaree · 05-01-12, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

That where the rheostat comes into play. It would restrict the non probed unit. Still not sure if it will work though. I may call my uncle up and see if I can make one.

If the rheostat is set to dim the second enclosure from getting too hot with full power, then it will be too cold with the thermostat running from a probe in the other enclosure. Unfortunately, it doesn't solve the problem.

mykee · 05-01-12, 12:11 PM

The only way to work with a redundancy plan for your thermostats would be to run one thermostat in line through a second one.

red ink · 05-02-12, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Would it be possible to splice two probes onto one thermostat? My reason for asking is because I want to use one thermostat on two separate heat sources in two separate enclosures. By using two probes on one thermostat that would eliminate the chances of the heat source with the probe failing and the other heat source baking the other snake.

Habistat make twin channel thermostats. I have one running two separate heat cords in my gecko rack, one for the adults and one for the hatchlings. I can cool the adults and keep the hatchling warm over the winter off the one unit.

USMCgunner11 · 05-02-12, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red ink

Habistat make twin channel thermostats. I have one running two separate heat cords in my gecko rack, one for the adults and one for the hatchlings. I can cool the adults and keep the hatchling warm over the winter off the one unit.

Splicing an existing thermostat will not work. You could purchase a multi-zone thermostat that will have multiple probes that read independently from One another and the unit will switch on power to the heat sources individually as needed. This is the only safe way I see this working for you. Reptike basics makes one that has two zones while other manufacturers go up to four

KORBIN5895 · 05-02-12, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red ink

Habistat make twin channel thermostats. I have one running two separate heat cords in my gecko rack, one for the adults and one for the hatchlings. I can cool the adults and keep the hatchling warm over the winter off the one unit.

I just saw one for sale and it was very reasonably priced. It was from the UK though and I wasn't sure about the voltage.

red ink · 05-02-12, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I just saw one for sale and it was very reasonably priced. It was from the UK though and I wasn't sure about the voltage.

Yeah mate not sure if they're 120V or 220V in the UK perhaps Rob or Shaun can enlighten us....

What I can tell you though is that they work beautifully.