40w vs 60w? Trying to solve temp variance in the bator...

[sky's the limit]

It's been set up a couple of days (but I've been making changes throughout that time).
Initially, wasn't using a water wiggler. The 90-112 temp swing was the air temp. I put a water wiggler in earlier this afternoon, and the swing is minimal. But that's with the lower wattage bulb that hasn't turned off yet. Temp in the water wiggler is 100.5 right now, just a bit too high.
DuclyDoll, how did you get the air temp variance that narrow? What kind of thermostat are you using? The 1F variance isn't due to the thermostat, because it's not turning the heat on and off - and, in reality it's probably more than that...I only made the latest adjustment a couple of hours ago!
Should I retry the higher wattage bulb? I've added some heat vents since then, it might make a difference?

 

[sky's the limit]

Okay, just checked and the temp in water wiggler (or my homemade version of one) is 100.9...must get a lower temp...have adjusted it down a hair...wonder how low it'll get before it turns back on...

 

[DulcyDoll]

I didn't really do anything special. I have a fan in the bottom blowing over the water dish, and towards the light bulb. The Thermostat is a hot water heater thermostat, single pole type, it is on the wire where the eggs will be sitting. I added a heat sink (a glass lime juice bottle with water) on the wire as well. I have small air holes 3 on the long sides, and 1 on each short side. I have 2 vent holes with corks in them right below the wire for the eggs, one is open the other is plugged. My thermometer and water wiggler (medicine bottle with sand and water, probe stuck in it) are both on the wire too.

Honestly it is just a matter of keeping the room temperature outside the bator somewhat stable, and adjusting the thermostat a tiny bit at a time, it is easy to over do it with hot water heater thermostat.

I know time isn't your friend, as you already have the eggs, but be patient. If you have to, go buy a pre-made styrofoam incubator to get the eggs started, and once your homemade is stablized, switch them over and sell the other.

 

[sky's the limit]

Is there a way to set it up to reduce the low and high from when the heat turns off and back on again? I guess my impatience is showing, isn't it!!

 

[sky's the limit]

DulcyDoll, I just reread your post...would it matter where I have the vent holes? Mine are higher up (about 1/2 way)?

 

[DulcyDoll]

I'm not sure what you mean by "setting it up to reduce the low and high..." do you mean the incubator or the thermostat. The only thing changable on the thermo. is to adjust the knob. There will be some fluctuations, as hot water heaters are not made to be exact, a few degree's each way is fine for HWH's...thats why it is suggested now to use a wafer thermostat, it is much more precise in its settings.

My vent holes are about half way up the cooler, my wire sets a little above half way. My small oxygen holes are about an inch from the bottom. I don't think it makes a difference.

 

[sky's the limit]

I mean where things are placed...I've read a number of posts that say that where the heat, fan and thermostat are located makes a difference.
What I'm using for a water wiggler is just a plastic bag with water in it, folded to make a spot for the sensor in the centre...doesn't that sound okay?
So, I need to be more patient and let it be for a while??

 

[walkswithdog]

LOL, yes a tad more patience. A temp swing in the water wiggler of 99.5 to 101 would actually hatch eggs. And quit fiddling with it every hour, set it and leave it for a day, keep a short log of temps over the day. Get a feel for it, breathe.

Sitting the waterheater thermostat against a piece of metal can help it sense things better it's supposed to be mounted on a metal tank. Some people go so far as to mount them on metal switch boxes but I've had good luck simply mounting it against spare metal pieces I have around the shed. It's not really designed to sense air temps and responds a lot more slowly doing so.

You're getting it, hang in there.

 

[DANNY]

Quote:
That is exactly why you need an incubator thermostat. 1 1/2 degree temperature swing is not good for an incubator and that seems to be the best a hwt will do. Why not buy a wafer system for $20 and save yourself a lot of head aches and heart aches.

 

[walkswithdog]

Actually no Danny, my HWT has a swing of .5 to .8 degrees as I have it set. Works just fine.

I was saying that what she does have will actually do it but there is better. The more stable and the smaller the swing the better obviously.

Of course the wafer works well, but they're expensive. Maybe not to you but to some of us.

If you have to work with less expensive equipment it can be done and done well.