Microclimate Advanced Heating System, Question ?

[bully74uk]

Hi
I am thinking about buying one of these to put in my new viv for when my Bairds Rat Snake moves house from her faunarium.
Microclimate AHS Heater
For those who may not know what it is, it is an all in one Pulse Proportional Thermostat, ceramic and guard in one complete unit.

However I have come across a potential concern. In the data sheet it states that there are no servicable parts within this unit and in the case of failure it must be returned to microclimate.
Im guessing by "NO" servicable parts that includes the ceramic element.
So if the element were to fail not only would I be without a heater, I would be without a stat as well because its all built in to the one unit.

So 89.99 for the unit, plus I would have to keep a complete heating system as a spare in case it failed. Doesn't sound as appealing anymore.

What are your thoughts ?

If I go for a conventional ceramic set-up then I can keep a spare bulb as im guessing these are the most likely to fail but I do like the idea of this unit as it really is as simple as screw it to the viv, position the sensor and switch it on.

Have emailed Microclimate to ask about spare ceramics and lifespans.

Regards,

[tigger79]

The way they are designed, as a complete unit, is so that they wil be long lasting, these are good bits of kit, and will last for a long time, instead of having a spare lying around, have a stat and heat mat (cheaper than a spare ahs) this will suffice whilst you get the ahs sorted if it was to break,

I have 3 different sized ahs, which are 3-7 years old, and have never had a problem with them yet.

[bully74uk]

Thanks for the reply.
I wasn't intending on buying a spare AHS (mat and stat like you said), just thought that the lifespan of the ceramic would be similar to that of the ceramic bulbs.
If you have been using one for 7 years without a problem then i have no worries and will probably purchase one.
Although quite expensive they seem a lot let hassle than buying individual bits to make up a ceramic set-up and I like the idea of one unit that you just bolt in, set and go. Also the ceramic bulbs seem quite long and once fitted with a guard would sit quite low in my 1.5 high viv. another reason to consider the AHS.

Cheers,

[HABU]

i just use heat lamps

[tigger79]

AHS = £89.99

Ceramic Holder = £12.99
Ceramic 60w Bulb = £18.99
Pulse Stat = £42.95
Guard = £9.95
wire and plug = £5.00

Total = £89.88

well when ya do the sums it works out the same but rather than having 5 items its better just to have one.

[Sharpman]

I use some AHS in some of my vivs for the smaller boas and they seem very good indeed , although they work better if you posistion them on the side of the viv as oposed to the back

[UKbob]

at the moment i dont use the ASH units but i did a few years back.... i would totally recommend them as they are great pieces of kit.

the points you have raised are fair, and reduncy is always something that should considered... certainly in my line of work (diving) we can have upto 4 back-up sources of air just incase it goes very wrong... so maybe it might be worth having a spare unit as just incase... certainly i ensure i have spare thermostats, ceramics and heatmats for one-off emergency's, because when it does happen it wont be when you can get to the shop...