Anyone using an older GQF cabinet incubator

[Frosty]

Hi all, I have an older GQF cabinet incubator and the temps have been fluctuating. Long story short, I think I need a new thermostat, GQF recommends a 3255 Multi Turn. I ordered this part from 3 different companies over the last few weeks (including GQF) and the money kept getting refunded. Apparently this part is out of production and is now VERY hard to find. Most companies apparently drop ship from the manufacturer and GQF doesn't have it. Today I found one! A place called Belle Farm has it in stock. She said they have several. So if anyone has an older cabinet incubator and have any doubts about your thermostat (or just wanted to upgrade to the 3255 Multi Turn), I would think about doing it now. Unless they put this part back in production, it will soon be impossible to find.

 

[R2elk]

Hi all, I have an older GQF cabinet incubator and the temps have been fluctuating. Long story short, I think I need a new thermostat, GQF recommends a 3255 Multi Turn. I ordered this part from 3 different companies over the last few weeks (including GQF) and the money kept getting refunded. Apparently this part is out of production and is now VERY hard to find. Most companies apparently drop ship from the manufacturer and GQF doesn't have it. Today I found one! A place called Belle Farm has it in stock. She said they have several. So if anyone has an older cabinet incubator and have any doubts about your thermostat (or just wanted to upgrade to the 3255 Multi Turn), I would think about doing it now. Unless they put this part back in production, it will soon be impossible to find.

I switched over to that unit years ago and would not recommend it to anyone. My recommendation to anyone wanting to upgrade their old GQF incubators or hatchers is to switch to a digital controller. I personally went with a Spyder unit which has been great but a tad expensive when there are much cheaper units available on eBay. Just be sure to get a unit that can control to 0.1° and stay away from the units that will only control to +/- 1°.

 

[Frosty]

Why wouldn't you recommend it?

 

[R2elk]

Why wouldn't you recommend it?

I would not recommend it because it doesn't control any better than the snap switch and a wafer does. I set my Spyder controller and forget about it while the snap switch and wafer and their electronic control are subject to drift with the room temperature. The Spyder unit that I use maintains a constant temperature even when room temperature changes here from 60°F to 80°F.

Beyond that a high quality digital temperature controller is much cheaper than the unit you suggest.

 

[mdees88]

I have a 2 1266s and they have the 3256 electronic thermostats. They work great and I've had zero issue from them but I keep my incubators I'm my house so there is very little room temp fluctuation.

I agree if I was in the market for a new thermostat I would buy a digital one off ebay. I actually have a couple that I paid $20 for. What's nice about the digital is it maintains temp regardless of outside temps. You can calibrate them also....