built a bator but need help with temp

[heathersboers]

My husband built us a bator . It is 4 1/2 feet tall 2 feet wide with 4 racks- made of plywood with insulation on the inside-plexiglass door. He has put 2 light bulbs- one at the top and one at the bottom -and a hot water heater thermostat- It cuts off when its supposed to -but drops down way low before cutting back on. He has moved it closer and away from the bulbs, but still the same thing- What wattage bulbs should he use?? Can someone help?? Pleeeze?

 

[abritton77]

I used a water heater thermostat in mine but replaced with a mini digital controller that I bought off of ebay for about 30 bucks. I had mine working ok by putting the back part a couple inches from the light. I also have my fan blowing across the bulb which was giving me allot of airflow on the thermostat. I finally decided that I just didn't like it and replaced it. It seemed like I had to adjust it way too much, but I have my bator in my garage and the temp changes allot out there.

 

[aprophet]

as large as it is it sounds roughly the same size as a cabinet bator and they come with 200 -230 wat or so so 4 light bulbs 50 watt each are so I buy my bulbs from the dollar store .25 each you may have to tweak the wattage just a bit to get your temp recovery right you might need 4 -60 watt bulbs. if you put plei on the inside and outside of the door the air in between does a fair job insulating the door. rebel cowboy has some good posts on how to make a water heater t-stat work

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

See if this helps.
http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html

 

[heathersboers]

Thanks! I know he has a 250 watt brooder light and a 100 w bulb with the fan- It heats up quick, and drops- then it takes forever to come back on- reckon the 250w is too much??

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

It may be if the thermostat is close to that one. More low wattage bulbs are better than less high wattage bulbs.