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Adding electronic thermostat to Hovabator

Discussion in 'Incubating & Hatching Eggs' started by stgagnon, Jul 1, 2008.

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  1. Jul 1, 2008 #1
    stgagnon

    stgagnon Hatching

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    Sep 6, 2007
    Vermont
    Hi Everybody,
    I've been reading all the posts that refer to electronic thermostats.
    I have a turbo-fan hovabator that I'd like to add one to.
    I just ordered one of these:
    http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/thermometers-thermostats-and-timers/-/alife-1000-watt-electronic-thermostat-with-probe/
    It is a thermostat with a probe. Somebody said that they put the probe inside one of those water-weasel/wiggler things. I'm going to get one of those.

    My big Q is this.. can anybody offer any instrux/help for connecting the thermostat to the heating element in the hovabator?

    I know I should look before asking, but I have turkey eggs in there now; it's not a good time to mess with it.

    I'm hoping that it will be a simple/obvious connection to make.
    Anybody know?

    Thanks,
    Suzanne in VT
     

  4. Jul 2, 2008 #2
    arlee453

    arlee453 Songster

    3,768
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    Aug 13, 2007
    near Charlotte NC
    I'm not sure how to hook it up to the element already in the bator.

    I've seen those and you basically plug in your heat source - it looks like a power strip. the probe goes into the WW inside the bator, and then you'd plug your heat source into the thermostat.

    I'm considering something like that to help stabilize temps in my home made bators - i'd just plug the light bulb into that contraption.

    I just hate to spend that much $$... [​IMG]
     
  6. Jul 2, 2008 #3
    stgagnon

    stgagnon Hatching

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    Sep 6, 2007
    Vermont
    Hi Arlee,
    Yeah.. I didn't really want to spend that much either. Blah.

    And, yes, I have now determined that as well, that the thermostat I just bought is more like a glorified dimmer switch. It will "turn down" or "turn up" the heat source to maintain the set temp.

    That isn't exactly what I had in mind when I ordered it.. Double Blah. If I can find the solution that I am thinking of, then I may re-purpose that one to keeping the brooder temp steady.

    There is another thread in this forum that talks about using a very inexpensive ($8) hot water heater thermostat on a homemade 'bator, wiring it to the lightbulb or heating element. (Do a search on "electronic thermostat" and it will show up..) That is the part I'm *really* interested in: how would I connect one of those to the heating element in the Hovabator.

    And, would it be wise to leave the wafer thermostat in place, as a backup? If so... how to do that.

    I still feel a little silly asking the question, because I haven't actually looked closely at the wiring in the Hovabator. It is in use at the moment, hatching some turkey eggs. I just can't wait to get going and I want to know how it all works now!! But, the turkey eggs are pipping now, so it won't be long before I can take a real good look at the thing and ask a more pointed question, if I have one....

    Thanks,
    S in VT
     

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