antique incubator

[johndeerematt]

Does anybody know what those antique kerosene incubators used for a thermostat? I've aquired an old incubator that has everything accept the thermostat. Grandpa explained to me how they worked, but he couldnt remember how the thermostat part went. Can't seem to find what kind of thermostat they used.

 

[LisaKay3]

I just recently joined BYC and was researching incubators. The old kerosene heated incubators utilized thermometers.

 

[maddog3355]

Check lehmans website I think they have new ones in there. The omish still use them.

 

[WalnutHill]

With the price of kerosene, and the soot it emits, unless you want to use it in a historical museum setting, I'd consider replacing the kerosene heat with electric.

I am using a 150 watt ceramic reptile heating element that fits a standard medium base ceramic light socket. It doesn't emit light, only heat. I looked for a kerosene incubator before I built my cabinet, and had planned out the heating system based on the ceramic element.

The best way to regulate the temp is to use a digital controller with a probe, either a ready to go model sold for reptile heaters, or a do it yourself one that you would wire up underneath or behind in an inconspicuous place.