Franken-bator -- Gutting one of the most common cheapo incubators and upgrading with Incukit

[Redhead Rae]

If I was you I would check the thermometer . Before I made a lot of changes . I just came upon your thread . Several points 1 you could have used the turner motor if they were both 120 volts . 2 you could use the heating element that was in the incubator providing it was good as well . 3 incubator temperature should be read at egg top level . I have been burnt some many times by digital thermometers. I don't trust a single one . If you have a hobby lobby close by go there and buy some normal size wooden eggs. They have a flat end . It makes it easy to fasten a thermometer to the wooden egg . Go to walmart and get some of these $3 well spent . Or you can go with the probe type ,they cost a bit more . I use them in my Styrofoam incubators . I just pushed them through the Styrofoam to egg top . The probe type come with calibration instructions .I use them in my old GQF cabinets . When it comes to temperature check check and recheck .View attachment 1338735 View attachment 1338743

The problem with calibrating the original incubator guts is that certain setting adjustments just don’t stick. Seriously. I tried just about everything and it didn’t work. It worked at first but would randomly reset itself. It got worse and worse all the time too. That is what factored into my decision to gut them.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I made some changes to the unit and I'm running a test now. I decided to not insulate the base just yet (keep the styrofoam as it is) and run a test with just the window insulation and the top insulated. Here ias the stryofoam packing the incubator came in with a window cut in the front for chick viewing.

Here is the reflective insulation flap I fashioned over the window to keep in the heat.

Here is the insulated cover I made for the top I used double sided foam tape (seen to the lower right in this picture) to adhere the insulation to the top.

I punched a hole through for my secondary thermometer -- that I will be mainly using as a hygrometer -- and the incukit controls.

I purposefully left the insulation a little long on the sides to overlap the styrofoam.

It is much easier to lift this than fooling with having the styrofoam packing over the top.

If the kit is still running too hot, I can line the styrofoam packing on the bottom with the insulation as well.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I have wonderful news! With the modifications I made, the incubator got up to ideal temp in under 45 min with the heater working at 54%! What a difference! When I first tested it, it took 3 hours to get up to temp and kept dropping to 97.5. I never saw the heater working at less than 85%. If this performance keeps up, I'll move the eggs due to hatch this week into lock down in this incubator.

It is amazing what a little insulation will do! So, I'll get started on gutting the second incubator soon and will make a tutorial this time around.

 

[aart]

Did you cover any venting?

 

[Redhead Rae]

I

Did you cover and venting?

I guess I need to go back and fix that.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Yay Rae, keep going! You are getting there!

 

[aart]

Did you cover any venting?

Fixed that.

I

I guess I need to go back and fix that.

Uncover venting, observe temps; uncover more(windows?), observe temps.
Yep, you'll get there!

 

[Redhead Rae]

At least I know now that the box isn't too big. I didn't think it was, because of the size coolers other people worked with.

I uncovered the window in the front, the temp was hovering around 100.3.

 

[Redhead Rae]

With the top vent uncovered and the window shielding removed, the temperature is adjusting much better. I had to add a 3rd sponge because the humidity has been hovering around 57%. I want it in the 60s or better for hatching later this week.

 

[aart]

With the top vent uncovered and the window shielding removed, the temperature is adjusting much better. I had to add a 3rd sponge because the humidity has been hovering around 57%. I want it in the 60s or better for hatching later this week.

Awesome!
Is that the only vent?