heating element?

[judsonchicken]

I have an old sears and roebuck round galvanized incubator I just got it going! How long would or should it take to heat up? I'm thinking maybe the element is shot but I only had it plugged in for 5 mins or so! Where could a fella get an element for one of these if need be? Thanks a bunch

 

[Bill 101]

Not sure what a heating element in one of those looks like. Can you describe it?

 

[judsonchicken]

Its a pretty typical heating element its round and is the type in a little giant or hovanator, but not exactly the same, i'm mostly curious how long should it take to warm up ?? should i leave it plugged in longer, it has a light on top to tell when its heating and that light lights up and works but i did not leave it plugged in long i assumed i could tell right away i'm just curious before i buy new parts etc...Thanks

 

[Bill 101]

It may take a while to heat up. When you plugged it in & let it run for 5 minutes, did it seem to heat up at all?
as long as you don't smell burning wires, see it smoking or hear arcing wires, it should be ok (Note: there may be a funny smell because it hasn't been heated in awhile)

 

[judsonchicken]

I plugged it in for two hrs and nothing so I assume the element is shot I'm gonna order a new wafer and element and see hoes it goes

 

[Bill 101]

You should check to make sure current is getting to the element Check to see that the button on the snap switch isn't stuck in an off position. You should be able to feel or hear it click when you push on it. You might also check the wires on the back side of the snap switch, check to see that they are not rusted/corroded & are connected properly
Make sure the unit is UN-PLUGGED when making any of these checks

 

[judsonchicken]

It all appears to be working! There's a lite between the switch and the elem and it lites up? I also cleaned up the connections its hard to say what it is but it appears to be the element

 

[Bill 101]

You could well be right. Does the element appear to be one piece? No breaks from one end to the other? It is basically a wire that heats up because current is flowing through it.
Ordering a new heating element & Wafer is a good idea anyway, so you can start there. There are other ways to check but I don't know what your electrical skills are & I don't want you to get electrocuted

 

[judsonchicken]

i tryed and ohm meter and got nothing, i'm not real skilled but it appears not to be working, its a metal looking element like whats found in the hovenators and such, i think i've found a couple that might work i'm going to order one tonight and give it a whirl, i thought of just buying a new one but parts seem realtively inexpensive so we'll see how it goes, hopefully i can have it ready by the weekend and put some eggs in it thanks

 

[Yiannisk]

If you got nothing with the ohm meter then you are right the heating element is gone