Building an incubator - thermostats?

[scoopy82]

I was just wondering who has built their own incubators and used a thermostat and who has gone without. I am currently building my own and am having trouble finding a thermostat with a suitable temperature range, there plenty between 50-80 degrees celcius

but i need 25-40 celcius, plenty from overseas (I'm an Aussie) and i would prefer not to have to muck around changing connections, and am not sure about using an aquarium thermostat. How important/useful are they?
Any help with this would be wonderful

 

[JCoogle]

I use a lower hot water heater thermostat. Here in the states every hardware store carries them and they only cost about $10. My temps swing from 97-103 but I have a very high hatch rate.

 

[Raven81]

im in New Zealand & ive got 2 instructions from off here & 1 locally of what to use & how to do it & i have a friend over in aussie who is sending me a heat pad ( hope to get it any day now ) & i have alot of parts coming & im still having probs finding a thermostat. but if you are interested i could send you via email the local instructions which uses a fish tank heater & a cooler bin. most instructions say a water cylinder thermostat works great

 

[scoopy82]

Thanks Raven81, that would be great

I will PM my email address to you.
I will also try the local hardwares - at least if they dont stock them they may be able to point me in the right direction

I should also add that my bator is a styrofoam box, heat source will be a lightglobe and I will have serveral thermometres and a hygrometre set up in there.
Once I have the basics covered i will be asking questions about ventilation

 

[Rainwolf]

you can look at HVAC thermostats as well. you might have better luck there since they are for home/office air systems and should have the right temp ranges. I like ranco brand but don't know if that is in your area.

 

[MTopPA_18707]

I've also heard of people using hot water heater thermostats for incubators - though they can be though to set and the 'on/off' temp swing [hysterisus] can be outside the target incubator temps.

Many people swear by the wafer thermostat . . . which I've seen for about $25 dollar US.

There are electronic thermostats that are quite expensive.

Lastly, I've heard other people use a thermostat for reptiles.

Best of Luck,

Xriva

 

[tgi_chicken]

HI i used one of these in my homemade bator http://shop.small-farm-permaculture-and-sustainable-living.com/store/brooder-thermostat.html this is an aussie site.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
X2

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html