GQF Incubator

[Flawedatdesign]

The Incubator has the turner the hatcher does not . The Hatcher can still be used to incubate as you just have to turn them by hand.

 

[luckydux]

I just picked up a used gqf cabinet and I'm not sure if its working correctly so I just wanted some reassurance before committing any eggs to it. Its a 1200 series and it has 2 thermometers in the left side. One has temp only and the other I believe is temp/humidity. The one closest to the front will always read 2 degrees higher than the other..even if I swap them. Is this normal?
Thanks for any info

 

[Charlie Mack]

I bought a used one also and had the same problem. I went to Wal Mart and purchased a hydrometer that shows temp and humidity. I have hatched probably 500 eggs by now with remarkable hatch rate.

 

[luckydux]

Where did you put the the meter that you got from walmart? Is it the same kind of probe style meter that I assume come with them?

 

[Charlie Mack]

have a plexi glass door on mine. Since the hydrometer is magnetic I stuck it to the tray up front so I can read it through the door.

 

[luckydux]

Thanks. Have you ever put it in the middle of a shelf to see if it reads the same?
Since both of my thermometers will read the same thing if placed in the same spot I just feel something may be wrong.
Heres a link to what the side of mine looks like... https://www.gqfmfg.com/pdf/1202 1250 Cabinet model instructions.pdf
It has a different position for taking dry and wet bulb readings. When I have a thermometer in each of these locations at the same time, they read differently than each other. If I swap them with each other, they read what the other was reading...confirming that the thermometers are working properly.
Granted the top shelf with the humidity pan isn't an incubation area itself, I just feel that the temp should be the same across its entire area.

I'm testing it now but I was hoping someone with one of these could tell me if this is normal? Or if someone could tell me whether or not its kosher for an incubator, especially a rather expensive one, to read differently at different areas?

 

[Charlie Mack]

I can't download the site to see your incubator. I have a GQF hatcher with an electric thermostat and wafer thermostat. It has a plexiglass door. Approx 650.00 for it. I bought it used and have operated it with the hydrometer stuck to the shelf with great results. I can put in 30 eggs and get 25-26 to hatch.Hope you get yours figured out. Chaz

 

[luckydux]

Thanks again Chaz. I've got to figure this out before I put any eggs in it. I could very well put eggs in and pull chicks out with no issues at all but I'm not willing to risk it. Mine has the plexiglass door as well and I'm still testing to see what sort of readings I'm getting at different shelf levels. I'm noticing the glass door is a big bonus for doing this.
I plan on calling gqf tomorrow to get some info

 

[Charlie Mack]

When I got mine used it came with no booklet as far as operating. GQF sent me one with all the operating info I needed. Do you have an iuncubator or hatcher?

 

[luckydux]

Mine is setup as an incubator, my thermostat and thermometers are on the opposite side as yours. I can see the instructions online but their vague in my eyes, I prefer to talk to folks personally. I'm confused about moving the wafer around to set the front and back thermostats and I believe the instructions may not be for my setup cause I'm really confused. Here's what it states -


Next plug the cord into an electrical outlet (220-volt models will have to have a plug attached for the typr outlet that is used). Turn the adjusting screw clockwise until it brings the wafer in contact with the thermostat switch and you hear a light click. Notice that the pilot light goes out when you hear this click. Now turn the adjusting screw counter-clockwise six complete turns. The pilot light and the heater are now turned on and the wafer has room to expand as the incubator heats up. The red pilot light will always be on when the heater is on and will go off when the heater turns off. Tighten wing nut after each adjustment.
As the incubator heats up, the thermostat wafer will expand and operate the switch turning off the heater and pilot light. During normal operation the light and heat will cycle on and off frequently. While the incubator heats up, watch the thermometer. As soon as it registers 102oF (or 2oF. above the operating temperature) turn the adjusting screw clockwise very slowly until the pilot light goes out. If the incubator temperature does not reach 102oF before the pilot light goes out turn adjusting screw counter-clockwise until the temperature does reach 102oF or until the pilot light turns on.
Adjust in this manner until you have the incubator regulated to hold at 102oF. Operate for at least 30 minutes at this temperature to be sure it holds this temperature.
Once the back thermostat is regulated at 102oF, open the door and install the wafer in the front thermostat. Regulate the front thermostat for 99-1/2oF in the same manner as for the back thermostat. If the front thermostat is electronic, simply turn the adjusting stem clockwise until the incubator is reduced to the desired temperature. The pilot light will cycle quickly.


I'm glad you found what works for you but did you have to do something similar? I'm surely making this more difficult than it is