I found this at LOWES. They are light dimmers but I’m sure you could use them for just about anything up to 150W. I'm thinking these would be great to control heating pads etc... I’m just wondering if anyone has used these and if you had any problems with them malfunctioning?
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Has anyone had these kind of dimmers malfunction?
- Thread starter Kingetula
- Start date
Clay Davenport
Cerebral Nomad
I have used one of those, as well as dimmers you hard wire in that normally go in a box in place of a light switch.
The slide types work, but they can be a little tedious to get set just right.
Overall I dislike dimmers anyway and no longer use any of them. An actual thermostat is a far superior method of controlling temperature.
The slide types work, but they can be a little tedious to get set just right.
Overall I dislike dimmers anyway and no longer use any of them. An actual thermostat is a far superior method of controlling temperature.
Mooing Tricycle
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I agree with clay on this, you can get a really good thermostat by Zoo Med now to control up to 500 watts of flexwatt.
Its the ZooMed 500R and you can get it at most pet stores, or online ( for much cheaper)
It has two plug areas to control two different units ( same temperature unfortunately) but this way, you can use up to two tanks( or multiple on flexwatt that is wired together, equalling no more than 500 watts), or two racks so long as they house animals that require the heat you decide upon for the flexwatt.
Im currently using it, and really i have had no problems with it at all, its a good solid unit for me, and what im using it for. so maybe check that out instead of a dimmer.
Its the ZooMed 500R and you can get it at most pet stores, or online ( for much cheaper)
It has two plug areas to control two different units ( same temperature unfortunately) but this way, you can use up to two tanks( or multiple on flexwatt that is wired together, equalling no more than 500 watts), or two racks so long as they house animals that require the heat you decide upon for the flexwatt.
Im currently using it, and really i have had no problems with it at all, its a good solid unit for me, and what im using it for. so maybe check that out instead of a dimmer.
Last edited:
Clay Davenport
Cerebral Nomad
I don't know what that slide type dimmer pictured costs, but the ones I've seen that clip into the power cord run $20 at Lowe's.
The thermostats Alicia is referring to can be purchased for as little as $23 at Reptile Direct ( http://tinyurl.com/ynv7wm )
They can be purchased directly from ZooMed at shows for $25 if I remember correctly. Which is a little cheaper in the end since you save shipping.
I have a number of those in use on several racks and a few cages and haven't had one fail in the seven years or so I've been using them.
In my mission critical applications I still prefer the more expensive Ranco thermostats, but for plain cage temp control or even rack setups I've found the 500R models to be very good units.
The thermostats Alicia is referring to can be purchased for as little as $23 at Reptile Direct ( http://tinyurl.com/ynv7wm )
They can be purchased directly from ZooMed at shows for $25 if I remember correctly. Which is a little cheaper in the end since you save shipping.
I have a number of those in use on several racks and a few cages and haven't had one fail in the seven years or so I've been using them.
In my mission critical applications I still prefer the more expensive Ranco thermostats, but for plain cage temp control or even rack setups I've found the 500R models to be very good units.
chimpkin
New member
That is a Lutron dimmer that is available at Home Depot for around $10-$12. I have two of them running on my light setup (Not for heat). I have used them for a 12 on/12 off cycle for two years now with no problems.
Using dimmers for heating control is a thing of the past. I agree totally that a good quality thermostat should be used. A nice cheap unit is the Ranco or Johnson Controls. They usually run between $50 - $75 depending on wiring.
Any of the cheap thermostats that are round on top are JUNK!
Using dimmers for heating control is a thing of the past. I agree totally that a good quality thermostat should be used. A nice cheap unit is the Ranco or Johnson Controls. They usually run between $50 - $75 depending on wiring.
Any of the cheap thermostats that are round on top are JUNK!