Another thermostat question...sorry

[blizzard]

Sorry everyone. I was just wondering about thermostats. I am reading posts and just wondering how they actually work. It seems like you buy the thermostat, plug the uth into the thermostat then turn it up or down?? That's where I am confused. Just from reading it sounds like you can regulate the heat the uth's put off?? I was looking at the Fluker's Digital Thermo and Hydro stat but not real sure if I need one or what. that link is here. Thanks a lot.

 

[rhino43grr]

that thing is a thermometer not a thermostat, it also shows humidity, you don't need it, a normal thermometer with a probe would be fine, but i would get a thermostat. i have an alife/zilla/esu 1000 that lets you set it to a specific temperature and it will automatically turn the uth on and off to keep a steady temp.

 

[blizzard]

ohh whoops must haven't been paying too much attention looking at that. But the question was do you plug the uth into the thermostat then you can turn it up or down or do you buy a special uth that has a thermostat??

 

[leolover2]

ohh whoops must haven't been paying too much attention looking at that. But the question was do you plug the uth into the thermostat then you can turn it up or down or do you buy a special uth that has a thermostat??

You just get your regular reptile UTH and it will plug right in. You don't need a special UTH.

 

[blizzard]

ok i am getting the jist...these things ever been a cause of a fire?? or do the manufactures make the uth's knowing people are going to plug them into the thermostat to turn up the heat? I know I probably sound retarded but...

 

[98XJSport]

A typical thermostat does NOT regulate the amount of heat a UTH puts out. It is basically a temperature controlled on-off switch. You set the temperature you want it to turn on at, and when it reaches said temperature it turns the UTH (or whatever you have plugged in) on. Fully on. When the temp reaches the desired level, it turns off.

A rheostat does control how much heat a UTH puts out by limiting current (and therefore wattage) to the heater. Say a heater is rated at 8 watts. With the rheostat turned all the way up it should be getting a full 8 watts. Turn it down 50%, the heater should be getting 4 watts, and not running as hot because of it.

Most pet thermostats are designed for UTHs or similar devices, and should be no more prone to fire than any other electrical device. Unless you start plugging things into 220V, that was an intersting experiment