We purchased a Brower top hatch incubator last summer new for about $130.00. Stay away from these folks. We have had nothing but trouble! We have used it exactly three (3) times and now the motor has burned out.
I am a former tool maker and I know something about how equipment is supposed to work. This incubator is very temperamental and will work only if adjusted precisley and is prone to break and/or go out of adjustment. They are supposed to work by blowing the air up through a center tower where it is heated by a 60 watt bulb. The air is then circulated back down around the outside of the tower. The bed is rotated by the same tiny motor with plastic gears. This system works OK only if everything is adjusted and working properly.
There are two major problems are the motor and the circulation system:
First - as the air is circulated back down the small space (about 1/4 inch) around the outside of the tower it tends to become fouled with lint, litter and/or chick down. Circulation is gradually cut off and quickly throws the temperature out of adjustment.
Second - The space around the outside of the tower allows litter (bits of egg shell etc.) to fall down into the motor/gear box area. What happens is the gears become jambed with bits of shell and the motor burns out. To have any chance or working properly this incubator has to be completely dissasembled and thoroughly cleaned after every hatch. OK, evey bator needs to be cleaned but in addition to sanitary concerns this model needs extraordinary cleaning and care.
I has taken me three very unsatisfactory hatches and many hours of tinkering with this piece of overpriced junk to draw the above conclusions. I have completely dissasembled the bator at least 8 times, cleaning and examining it closely every time. I am not one to give up on anything very easily but I am done with this piece of junk!
I am a former tool maker and I know something about how equipment is supposed to work. This incubator is very temperamental and will work only if adjusted precisley and is prone to break and/or go out of adjustment. They are supposed to work by blowing the air up through a center tower where it is heated by a 60 watt bulb. The air is then circulated back down around the outside of the tower. The bed is rotated by the same tiny motor with plastic gears. This system works OK only if everything is adjusted and working properly.
There are two major problems are the motor and the circulation system:
First - as the air is circulated back down the small space (about 1/4 inch) around the outside of the tower it tends to become fouled with lint, litter and/or chick down. Circulation is gradually cut off and quickly throws the temperature out of adjustment.
Second - The space around the outside of the tower allows litter (bits of egg shell etc.) to fall down into the motor/gear box area. What happens is the gears become jambed with bits of shell and the motor burns out. To have any chance or working properly this incubator has to be completely dissasembled and thoroughly cleaned after every hatch. OK, evey bator needs to be cleaned but in addition to sanitary concerns this model needs extraordinary cleaning and care.
I has taken me three very unsatisfactory hatches and many hours of tinkering with this piece of overpriced junk to draw the above conclusions. I have completely dissasembled the bator at least 8 times, cleaning and examining it closely every time. I am not one to give up on anything very easily but I am done with this piece of junk!
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