Aggghhh!!! Incubator temp stuck at 98.8!

[Rockashelle]

I have a brand new hovabator 1602n with egg turner & fan. I'm on day seven. I candled yesterday and since then, I can't get my temp back up to 99.5. It has been consistently 99.5 up until this point. Outside temps and room temperatures are the same as they have been. I've adjusted the thermostat now 3 times and it stays at 98.8. I know people says that a little adjustment goes a long way... Well, doesn't appear to be the case here. I'm so frustrated. It would appear, I have a wafer thermostat problem. Any suggestions?

 

[nurse_turtle]

FIRST thing, check temperature with a different thermometer. My new hovabator isn't as stable as the old square hovabator I HAVE FORM THE 1980S. With the new hovabator, I've had problems with the temperature not staying up, so I've learned to cover it with a flannel shirt or single layer of fleece fabric.

 

[Rockashelle]

Thanks Nurse_turtle... I have three thermometers2 digital and one mercury) all are reading about the same. One of the digitals came from work and they have to be spot on. I did wrap a towel but I'm afraid to block ventilation. I left the top center uncovered. With as much as I've moved it, I would think it would get to 110 by now but It's still holding at 98.8. I've gone half a rotation. I'm afraid its going to kick in all of a sudden and jack up the heat. I do have an alarm set on the one from work and it will go off if it hits 101 or drops to 97. Do you think I can adjust it more?

 

[ozexpat]

when you say it wont rise in temp, does the pilot light for the heater stay on continuously or does it go on and off?

 

[Rockashelle]

It goes on and off. The first two times I adjusted it, I didn't turn it until the light clicked on. It just seemed like I was turning too much. The third time (about a half hour ago) I turned it and the light came on. We are now at 99 and holding. Let's just hope my alarm doesn't go off on the thermometer. I'm already up two hours past my bed time. I have to be up at 3:45 am but I couldn't let it go another day at 98.8. I want them to hatch on time. I'll have time off to watch the hatch. New years eve chicks... Hopefully!

 

[ozexpat]

seems like you are back on track. i had to adjust mine also. the humidity seems to effect the wafer.

 

[Rockashelle]

Well, thus morning we are at 100.0 even. I'm happy with that. Thanks for the reassurance & help.

 

[ozexpat]

how is the bator behaving?

 

[Rockashelle]

Much better! I candled the eggs last night and removed all but 6 of them. Heat is right at 100.0 and I'm leaving it alone. I did put a towel over most of it last night. Our temperature dropped here and it started going down. It was at 99.1 when I wrapped it.

It's so awesome to be able to see them dancing about inside the eggs. Getting excited! Day 10 today...