About Us & The Technology

Bilbee Controls designs, engineers, and manufactures the traditional Model B-200 conduction type thermostats. There are multiple options within the Model B-200 available that allow system designers and engineers to control their systems as designed without compromise.

Bilbee Controls Historical Facts

Initially starting out as American General Thermostat in The Bronx of NY, Bilbee was formed over time through several company shifts. Over the years American General Thermostat eventually split into two companies named American Thermostat and General Thermostat. In the early 50's American Thermostat setup their factory in South Cairo, NY and manufactured thermostats there for 30 years. In 1980 an American Thermostats employee left the company and started manufacturing the B-200 style thermostat with American Thermostats approval and eventually formed Bilbee Controls. Bilbee Controls takes pride in being a USA manufacturer whose quality cannot be matched by over-seas competitors. In 2012 Bilbee Controls was purchased by a thermal control company based out of Bristol, CT. Rostra Vernatherm's business model of USA manufacturing, quality products, and superior customer service fit hand in hand with Bilbee's philosophy. Bilbee's products are now being manufactured in Brisol, CT.

B-200 Thermostats Stand Above The Competition

Certain applications call for special control characteristics, but in general, the three most important requirements are: (1) Little or no overshoot of the temperature setting on the initial warm-up cycle or on recovery; (2) A cycling differential sufficiently close for the application; and (3) Fast response to sudden heat loads and full recovery to temperature setting.

All of these requirements can be met with Bilbee Controls conduction type thermostats by carefully designing the device with the proper balance of thermal relationships between the thermostat, heating element, and the heated mass. The conduction relationship between the thermostat and the element should be close enough to avoid overshoot, but not so close as to cause very rapid cycling unless a very small amplitude is necessary. The conduction path from the thermostat to the loaded surface, such as the sole plate ironing surface of a flatiron, should be close enough to assure fast response to ironing loads. Although mounting the thermostat too close to an open type element may subject it to damaging radiant heat temperatures and also cause it to undershoot the setting on recovery. If needed, a heat shield may be placed between the thermostat and the heating element. Let our engineers help you design your thermal control solution; we will take care with the details that others overlook.