Thermo-cube

[Pitch]

I am looking for a thrmostatic switch to control a brooder lamp in my pump house. I ran across something called a thermo-cube,it is simply a double outlet with I think a bimetal contact switch inside. The model I am looking at turns on at 35 degrees and off at 45. They are not expensive,(about $15.00), but the many reviews I have read are all over the board. Any of you guys ever tried them?

 

[Bob]

I wonder how moisture resistant they'd be for use in an environment like that?

How critical is it if it fails?

I'd spend a bit more and get something a little more substantial, such as a temp controller for greenhouse use.

Here's ONE example... moisture resistant and goes down to 40º.
<img src = "http://www.gardenhouse.com/images/thermostat.jpg">

 

[JMS/.MN]

I don"t see why moisture would be an issue in a pump house. I used a Knipco corded T-stat for years on the other farm. Adjusts about 30-120 degrees, plus the no heat position. About $30? Moron renter turned it to max when it got cold out, it never shut off, MY elec bill for the well (I had cattle there, paid for water) went to a third of the rent he paid for the house and other outbuildings.

 

[Bob]

"I don"t see why moisture would be an issue in a pump house."

I guess I was thinking more along the lines of a "pump pit" (below ground) and those DO tend to get a bit damp.

 

[JDseller]

Check out Farmtek"s web site they have all kinds of thermostats. I have several hard wired into plug outlets for my block heaters. I then can set them for the different starting temperatures of the different tractors. I also bought cold weather cords and hard wired them in the boxes. That way they don"t get used else where. Before that you would park a tractor and have to go hunt up a cord as some one else would just grab the closest one for something else.
Farmtek even has one that has a timer and temperature control all in one box. On the things that I don"t use everyday I use them. It has cut my electric bill big time. I even use them on the supply line to my cattle waters. It seems that the tank thermostats never quite work right. This way they never get power until it is below freezing.

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/home

 

[PJH]

I've used them for years. I always check them every year by plugging them into a drop cord and setting them on the ground outside the pumphouse. Not an exact test of turn-on temp, but at least an assurance that the thermo is working.

Never had one fail.

Yet.

Then again - I've never opened my pumphouse and found the temp lower than 40 degrees F.

I also use one in my old fashioned root cellar. Wife stores her canned goods there, and we don't want that stuff to freeze either.

Also, gonna rig one up with a relay to kill the power to my shop fridge in cold wx. Never have any trouble with the shop fridge 'til it gets real cold outside.

Paul