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HabiStat Dimming Thermostat
The Dimming thermostat is the most accurate method of temperature control and will control a wide variety of heaters. It requires a minimum load of 40 watts and has a maximum load capacity of 600 watts. It is the only thermostat that can be recommended for use with incandescent light bulbs and uses the latest technology in a manner similar to the pulse proportional thermostat. Instead of pulses of power being supplied to the heater, it is supplied with a continuous but variable supply of power or voltage. In principle this has a similar effect to the light dimmers or rheostats used in the home.
How a dimming thermostat works.
The desired temperature is set on the dial. Both the cage and the heater are cold so the heater is supplied with full power from the thermostat. As the set temperature is neared, the power to the heater is reduced steadily until, at the set temperature, it levels out. With this steady supply of power to the heater it makes for exceptionally accurate temperature control and extends the life of heaters considerably.
sensor on a 1.5 metres long lead, enables temperature to be sensed and controlled in any position in the vivarium or aquarium.
All units are fitted with the appropriate mains input plug on a 1.5 metre lead. For European customers our thermostats are supplied with standard CEE 7/7 (schuko) plugs. These are available ex works. Any specific requirement for individual countries plugs can be manufactured to order.
To conform to standards and to add an extra degree of safety, all heater outlets are provided through standard, shrouded IEC sockets on 1.5 metre leads. If the thermostat is plugged in prior to the attachment of any heater no harm can be done to the unit or the operator. The corresponding rewirable IEC plug which is available in our Reptile Accessory pack can be connected to any heater, which will then plug into the thermostats outlet.
Presented in attractive display box with full and very comprehensive instruction sheet, all thermostats have a 12 month guarantee.
Night time temperature drop facility
This facility is available as an option on both the Pulse Proportional and Dimming Thermostats. With many species, it is important to give them a cycle of warm day time and cool night temperatures. Many species would experience this in their natural environment.
Through an additional mains input lead and via a HabiStat Magic Eye or a time switch, the thermostat will lower the set temperature for the period of time set on the time switch. This temperature drop can be adjusted to be anything from approximately 5C to 15C lower than the day time set temperature. This drop is obviously dependent on the ambient temperature where the cage is kept. The temperature cannot drop below this without the aid of a chiller.
How the night time drop facility works.
The thermostat is functioning normally and the set temperature of 28C, as an example, is being maintained. A secondary mains input via a time switch is set to turn on at 8.00 p.m. The night time drop facility is set at a mid way point to give a drop of approximately 7C.
At 8.00 p.m. the time switches in a second mains feed which sets a new set temperature of 21C. Assuming the ambient temperature is lower than this, the thermostat then maintains the heater at the night time temperature of 21C. The off time for the time switch is set at 7.00 am. When the timer switches off at the end of the night period the thermostat reverts back to control the day time set temperature at 28.
In a correctly set up cage, with the size heater matched to the size of enclosure and temperature required, the heater will run at part power all the time. If the dimming thermostat is being used to control a primary basking spot for example, the heater should provide a small spot of fairly intense local heat. A large and powerful heater would be dimmed down to quite a low level, not what is wanted in a basking light! Clearly, the precise requirements of the heater need to be considered. In this case, reducing the size of the heater so that the wattage is less and the intensity of heat is proportionally localised.
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