Brinsea 56 EX screws seized up

[Hiimscott]

Hey, I have a 2.5 yo Brinsea 56 EX that has been used a handful of times, I've just gone to clean it out and it seems like the screws in the lid have seized to the plastic, I'm only able to get 1 of 8 screws out...

Has anyone had this issue before? Been able to rectify? Or could anyone give me some tips to clean it as good as I can, it's fairly clean just has heaps of chic 'fluff' all through it

Thanks

 

[Kiki]

Hey, I have a 2.5 yo Brinsea 56 EX that has been used a handful of times, I've just gone to clean it out and it seems like the screws in the lid have seized to the plastic, I'm only able to get 1 of 8 screws out...

Has anyone had this issue before? Been able to rectify? Or could anyone give me some tips to clean it as good as I can, it's fairly clean just has heaps of chic 'fluff' all through it

Thanks

Can you get a clear picture of the problem screws?

 

[NatJ]

Or could anyone give me some tips to clean it as good as I can, it's fairly clean just has heaps of chic 'fluff' all through it

You might be able to blow out some of the fluff.
(Maybe using a vaccuum cleaner, or a can of compressed air, or even just blowing air through a drinking straw.)

Those will probably not get all the fluff out, but might help some.

 

[Hiimscott]

I've thought of using a hair dryer, will give that a go!

My main concern is that if the fan or anything breaks(which is common apparently) I won't be able to fix anything.

Here are some pics of the screws

 

[beluga3858]

I don't have that incubator, but screws seizing into plastic are common. Warming it up might help. Do make sure you are using the right screwdriver size (common mistake is to try using a #1 Philips because the screws look small - they are almost certainly a #2 Philips) and apply firm pressure.

If you do crack the plastic its not the end of the world. Make sure you find all the bits, reassemble, and epoxy (use a fast setting plastic specific two part epoxy) around the cracked plastic stud to hold it together. May look ugly ( even the clear epoxy turns yellow with time and heat) but works and the eggs never complained. Our Rcom 20 has a few of the studs fixed this way.

If you're not willing to risk it (and I might not on a pretty clear cover), then compressor and blow gun, or canned compressed air works to dislodge bits of fluff and stuff and vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle to suck the bits out.

 

[beluga3858]

If you remove the screws... When putting it back together feel for where the screw goes into the original thread in the plastic - don't try cutting a new thread by forcing it. And don't overtighten, this isn't some huge structural thing.

 

[aart]

Surprised you would need to remove screws to clean an incy.

 

[Kiki]

Surprised you would need to remove screws to clean an incy.

This is exactly what I was wondering/don't understand.

 

[Hiimscott]

my fingers don't fit in between the inner and outer plastic cases, you also can't get the fan out without taking said screws out. There is fluff all up in the fan..

For $1,000AUD you'd think it would be easy to clean.

I've just used a hair dryer it's got most of the fluff out, but I can't 'sanitise' the lid properly unless the screws are removed.

Thanks everyone

 

[Mossy Dell]

Hey, I have a 2.5 yo Brinsea 56 EX that has been used a handful of times, I've just gone to clean it out and it seems like the screws in the lid have seized to the plastic, I'm only able to get 1 of 8 screws out...

Has anyone had this issue before? Been able to rectify? Or could anyone give me some tips to clean it as good as I can, it's fairly clean just has heaps of chic 'fluff' all through it

Thanks

I had this exact problem and decided to lightly lubricate the screws at last cleaning. As a consequence, apparently I over-tightened them. When removing or re-installing the screws after cleaning this year, two housings cracked.

See my post just uploaded reviewing the incubator and criticizing the need to remove tiny screws to clean.

Since I hatch in pedigree baskets or bags, however, I wonder if I can remove the inner liner without consequence. It seems to exist to keep chicks away from the fan and heating elements.