I need build/automatic incubater for dummies!!! :hit

I want to do this so bad but I have NO motor/mechanic skills!!

I need someone who can explain the mechanics of hooking all these motor-thingys up!!

I mean I have the heat source...iridescent lights
I have a fan....computer fan or a small desktop mini fan
I have a digital thermostat.....ac 110v temperature F controller temp sensor incubation thermostat switch relay (Do I understand what all that means, NO)
I have a motor for my egg turner......microwave turntable 5rpm motor.
I was told I will need 2 timers......don't have yet.
I still need a thermometers and hydrometers????

I have had a couple of people help me and tell me some of the thing I need and I have and I am grateful for their help.
BUT I have no idea how all this goes together....AND I for sure have no idea how to hook it all up.

I have seen some of the drawing people have done that should explain how to hook up all the wires and motors but they make no since to me. I need it explained on a kids level......Well maybe not a kids level I am sure they understand but on a 45 year old nurse/mom who has never messed with mechanical stuff.

You have a long road ahead of you. You need to find a physical human near you that can help you. I'm a little far to help you. One thing that caught me is that you are a nurse. My daughter is also a nurse. I have great respect for nurses. I WISH YOU SUCCESS IN YOUR ENDEAVOR .

cavemanrich said:

You have a long road ahead of you. You need to find a physical human near you that can help you. I'm a little far to help you. One thing that caught me is that you are a nurse. My daughter is also a nurse. I have great respect for nurses. I WISH YOU SUCCESS IN YOUR ENDEAVOR .

Click to expand...

Thank you! I will get this. One way or another.

I mean I have the heat source...iridescent lights
I have a fan....computer fan or a small desktop mini fan
I have a digital thermostat.....ac 110v temperature F controller temp sensor incubation thermostat switch relay
I have a motor for my egg turner......microwave turntable 5rpm motor. 
I was told I will need 2 timers......don't have yet.
I still need a thermometers and hydrometers????

Click to expand...

The desktop fan will be easier sice it'll already have a plug. That can be plugged into the power source directly since you can run it all the time.

How are the incandescent lights wired? Are the bulbs in sockets already?

What is the model number of the temp controller ? It'd be easier to help if we can see what you have.

When you say microwave motor, is there anything else with the motor?

I think your temp controller is similar to one of mine except mine is in Celsius:


Here's how it's hooked up:


The white wires go to a typical plug that we repurposed from an extension cord or something. The heavy brown wires go to the lightbulb socket. The skinny black ones connect to a little sensor that came with the unit.

Soylent Chick said:

The desktop fan will be easier sice it'll already have a plug. That can be plugged into the power source directly since you can run it all the time.

How are the incandescent lights wired? Are the bulbs in sockets already?

What is the model number of the temp controller ? It'd be easier to help if we can see what you have.

When you say microwave motor, is there anything else with the motor?

Click to expand...

Yes I just going to get light sockets and the light bulbs will be in there. OR would it be easier to use parts from old lamps that way it already has a plug??

Soylent Chick said:

I think your temp controller is similar to one of mine except mine is in Celsius:

Here's how it's hooked up:

The white wires go to a typical plug that we repurposed from an extension cord or something. The heavy brown wires go to the lightbulb socket. The skinny black ones connect to a little sensor that came with the unit.

Click to expand...

Yes that is it! That makes perfect since and I can see that.

I guess my main issue is the egg turner. I will post a pic of the motor this evening. Thank you for your help.

A1momof3 said:

Yes I just going to get light sockets and the light bulbs will be in there. OR would it be easier to use parts from old lamps that way it already has a plug??

Click to expand...

The socket is going to be wired to the temp controller so it doesn't need a plug. If you have a socket with plug already, you can snip off the plug. In either case, you want to strip off some of the wire insulation so you have bare wire being clamped into the controller. Just make sure you don't have bare wire crossing (see how the wires are fully insulated until they are in the controller) and that your wiring is long enough so you can place the parts where you want them.

Got it!!! Thank you!

Soylent Chick said:

The socket is going to be wired to the temp controller so it doesn't need a plug. If you have a socket with plug already, you can snip off the plug. In either case, you want to strip off some of the wire insulation so you have bare wire being clamped into the controller. Just make sure you don't have bare wire crossing (see how the wires are fully insulated until they are in the controller) and that your wiring is long enough so you can place the parts where you want them.

Click to expand...

When I get it started good I will post pictures if I have any problems!!

Hi, A1Mom, you are doing great and it looks like you got great help right off the bat. I am inspired by your brave endeavor, and that's why I'm here. Soylent's directions were impeccable, and his photos were better than any I've ever seen; they show all the connections clearly, and you can easily see the distinction between the hot and neutral wires on the white and brown cords. If you can identify these and the hot and neutral terminals to which they attach, you will have no problem with this (although making the the actual connections DOES require a certain amount of manual dexterity and patience). Other things you should get:

Get an "egg wiggler" - or make your own with a plastic egg, water, and shredded Depend diaper stuff - and put your thermostat temperature probe into it

Buy an Incutherm digital thermometer/hygrometer from incubator Warehouse for measuring both temperature and humidity

Buy a p-timer from same place: set it for 21 and it counts the days and hours down to hatch day, or set it for 18 and it counts down to Lockdown, then up to hatch day. Good for record keeping and problem solving.

Consider using a computer fan with a DC adaptor that you'll modify. The idea is to provide GENTLE air circulation, and it doesn't take much. Ask me if you have an interest and questions about this.

Consider making a jacket of insulating material (maybe foiled bubble wrap - Reflectix - insulation?) if your incubator does not hold its temperature well (mine doesn't).

Humidity trays? You want to be able to control humidity by varying the surface area of exposed water, and how often you need to add water by managing the depth of the water. I like how Hovabator has worked this out for me with their plastic liner, but I wish it had been designed to hold more water. This is a feature I plan to work on. You want to be able to easily add water, maybe even to remove it. BTW, I have opened my incubator to add water to increase humidity during Lockdown, and gotten 100% hatches, but I prefer not to have to do that.

When it comes to heating with light bulbs, remember that it's better to use a few lower watt bulbs than just one higher watt bulb. In addition to getting more evenly distributed heat, your project won't die if a single bulb burns out. Also, don't make the total wattage so high that too much heat continues to radiate from the bulbs after they've been turned Off at 100*; and they shouldn't be so small that it takes too long a time to bring the temperature back up from 99 to 100. Light bulbs have worked well for me, even red ones and small sign bulbs.

I would like to know how your turner works! I use one that was made for the Hovabator, and I've no complaints about it other than its price.

You've got a good project going and there is so much excellent help on BYC. I will be looking forward to learning how it all works out for you.