Can you overwork an incubator?

[Camelot Farms]

It seems like the longer that my incubator has been on, the less it wants to heat.

I should confess that it has run pretty much nonstop for 4 months.

I put a mark on the dial so I would know where exactly to have it for 99.5 and twice I have had to move the mark over to get it back to 99.5.

Could I have overworked it?

Its not an expensive 'bator...one of those 50$ styrofoam ones from the feedstore...

 

[walkswithdog]

More likely your air conditioning is running more often, and changes in air humidity and temp, do change conditions in the incubator especially the small, cheaper ones (less insulation).

When your thermostat goes bad you'll know it, either your temps will drop off the scale or skyrocket. When a wafer goes bad it's NOT subtle.

Tweaking as season's shift, in itty bitty increments, isn't unlikely or uncommon.

 

[Camelot Farms]

That makes complete sense...Thank you!!

 

[Junkmanme]

Just like humans, machinery can and does "wear out". But, most times, machinery can be repaired..........usually simply.

Sometimes, neither one can be repaired in a "cost-effective" manner. Witness: Medicare

"I ain't REALLY old......just a GREAT VINTAGE, like fine wine!"
(rapidly becoming "vinegar")

Ha-Ha

-Junkmanme-

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:

 

[Akane]

If you have a lg bator it should have an electronic thermostat that will not so much go bad as just quit on you. If you have the equivalent hova bator then the wafer should be replaced frequently or it will lose accuracy. Other than that the settings on the bator will need moved occasionally. My lg is particularly sensitive and sometimes even needs adjust between night and day. It takes about a 5F change in the house to throw it off 1-2 degrees. My hova seems to withstand small temp changes in the room better.

 

[CindyS]

There are so many variations in room temperature, amount of eggs, day of incubation the eggs are on, etc. to be able to put the temp control in one spot and be able to leave it there for the entire incubation on each group of eggs every time. I have 10 styro bators that have been running non stop for 7 months. I dont think they ever wear out!