Condensation Problem in Hovabator Genesis 1588 Digital Version--Fluctuating Temps

[exop]

I fired up my new Genesis yesterday morning, brought it up to temperature and added eggs. Everything seemed to be going ok. Humidity was holding a little high at 78%, as I usually hatch on a terry towel (eggs stay where they are put when turned, and there is less jarring)... the towel was still damp (not wet) from the wash but it did not worry me as I knew it would dry out completely in a few hours. Room temperature was around 70 degrees (a cool period for August).

This morning went to turn eggs... and found the set temperature had changed to 50 something degrees. I want to say 59.5 degrees, but I was in a state of shock at the time and didn't make a note of the details. Eggs stone cold (well, room temperature). The towel had dried out by now, of course. After several long, boring minutes of depressing the up arrow, (a long time even to get up to the ambient temperature of 74 degrees, at which point the heating light came on for the first time), I got the set temperature back to 100 degrees. Inc temperature has reached 94.5 as of this writing, humidity is at 58% (and no trace of moisture in the towel). Gaah! What gives? What happened to "reliable modern technology"?

Should I have let the whole thing pre-heat for a longer period to prevent condensation in the electronics? I think I loaded up at around 15 minutes. Why would GQF have left their circuitry so vulnerable?

 

[oscartame]

The same thing just happened to me but instead of the temps soaring up, the temps are going way down. They just keep declining and the little red light that is usually on is off. I had to get my other extremly old incubator running and I'm struggling to bring it up to temp. I do not have high hopes for this hatch. I am hatching for a friend which makes it even worse. her kids are so excited for their chicks.

I am so upset right now, I paid a lot of money for this thing brand new last summer. This will be my third time using it.

did any of your incubators ever work again afterwards?

I will be calling the company about this tomorrow, I am so disappointed. I have no hope of a refund as I do not have the receipt anylonger.This is the third Hovabator product I have bought and I've always been very happy with them but this is just insane.

 

[oscartame]

Hi guys, Just wanted to know if anyone ever figured out how to fix this problem in their bator?

I have given it days to "dry out" and it still does not work at all.

 

[DaleChick]

The problem with mine is It says increasing temp and set temp.. is around the same 100.3, but when you put in a thermometer it seems like it is 10 degree's cooler.. what is a good thermometer for this? The little one on the white vinyl, when you go get them in the store, they are all at a different temp.. how do you know which one is right? What kind of Thermometer do you all use? Is there a recall on this make and model? Because they are pretty pricey, and I want mine to work!! I used it once and had the same condensation problem and now it doesn't seem to work properly. And where is the reset button? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[GAQuail]

The 1588 has an issue with high humidity causing the electronics to be damaged. To prevent this the 1588 should not be operated at higher than 65 percent humidity. On newer models GQF now states this in small print under the digital temperature readout. This is the very reason I quit hatching in the 1588. I use a model 1583 which uses the same 12 volt heater and fan as the 1588 but does not have the electronic controls. The 1583 uses an old fashion wafer type thermostat that is not effected by high humidity. If you have condensation in your incubator your humidity is above 65 percent. The 1588 is a good incubator if you can keep your humidity under 65 percent. For a good thermometer look for a Brinsea Spot Check.

 

[DaleChick]

Ok thanks for that info. I have two thermometers in there right now.. the normal cheap white ones, and the feed store suggested I use a magnetic one that can be stuck to the fridge etc... and the incubator says temp 100, but the other two say 90.. Do I just up the temp so the other 2 say 99.9? Or what is a good suggestion, until I can find the other thermometer? I just set it today..
Thanks ..

 

[GAQuail]

Ok thanks for that info. I have two thermometers in there right now.. the normal cheap white ones, and the feed store suggested I use a magnetic one that can be stuck to the fridge etc... and the incubator says temp 100, but the other two say 90.. Do I just up the temp so the other 2 say 99.9? Or what is a good suggestion, until I can find the other thermometer? I just set it today..
Thanks ..

Do you have any water in the bottom of your 1588? If you do, did you put in cold or cool water? Cool water can lower the temperature in the bottom of the incubator for as long as 24 hours. In either case I would run the 1588 for 24 hours and then see what the difference is in thermometers. If your still getting a 10 degree difference and the two thermometers read the same I would think it's likely the 1588 is not reading correctly which would not be surprising considering the electronics were exposed to high humidity.

 

[worldbiker]

Can you reset the unit or do you need to completely replace the controller unit?

 

[worldbiker]

Following up... The unit went out of commission a few hours into lock-down. I used a light bulb with a standard brooder clamp lamp to get the temperature up and steady. After spending time using light bulbs of various wattage, I was able to stabilize the temperature inside at 100° (60 watt bulb, 3 inches above in a 65° room) for the remainder of the hatch and ended up with 17 out of 22 eggs hatching. (See the picture)

And of course this all occurred 11 pm on a Saturday night.
Sunday evening I sent an email to GQF support address and received a response back on Monday morning requesting my mailing address and when the incubator was purchased. They replaced the whole incubator free of charge and it was at my home by Thursday.