Help with my old-school Hova-Bator?

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I have found both Hova and LG wired both ways.. I rewired some of mine to run continuously..

Dana , Yours must have not been one of them.

It is very simple to do.. find the two wires that go to the fan. one of them is wired into the thermostat. take that one and rewire it to the direct cord to the plug. make sure you do not wire both wires to the same cord wire.
It is the same as wiring a light direct without a switch..

basicaly you are just moving the fan wire from after the switch to before the switch..

I hope this helps more than confuses..

 

[danamillette]

Thanks Jim!

I knew you'd have the answer! My next question is, do you recommend the fan going continuously?

 

[98 gt]

Yes you would have a more even temp and humdity since the air keeps mixing becoming homogenous

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
indoubioubly.. LOL I heard that word once and always wanted to use it.. wish I could spell it, though

yes I do.. I make sense to have it run continuously..(what's with all these long words today)?

it keeps the air homogenized.

all the big bators' fans run all the time..

and if any of you are getting a hydrometer.. makes no difference if it is a cheapie or expensive one..
test it for accuracy.. also easy to do..

take a ziploc type bag.. put a 1/2 cup of salt into a cup and add 1/4 cup of water..put the cup w/salt in it, into the bag and then put your hydrometer into the bag also.
seal the bag and wait 8 hours..
your meter should read75%.. If it is off, plus or minus, that is the amount you must add or subtract to the readings in your bators..

Pet supply stores have reptile meters that seem to be pretty accurate and usually less than $5..

 

[danamillette]

I did that. I went to save big money at Menards, didnt get the cheapest, but not the most expenive either. Sucko. When I did the salt/water thing, it never got over 40%. I put it in the bator and it is reading at 55%. I only have the very middle compartment filled with water. I havent set any eggs just yet. Hopefully tonite if I can get the humidity figured out.

 

[NancyDz]

I have a similiar incubator and had to fill all three areas with water and add sponges to get the humidity high enough for a hatch. It worked though... mine doesnt have a fan though either.

good luck!

Nancy

 

[skeeter9]

I have one just like that and my fan runs continuously. To get my humidity up for hatching, I add water to 2 wells and put in a sponge that I keep wet through one of the holes in the top of the bator. I position the sponge under the hole and use a straw with a small funnel attached to it to pour in warm water as needed. Works like a charm!

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

Quote:
indoubioubly.. LOL I heard that word once and always wanted to use it.. wish I could spell it, though

yes I do.. I make sense to have it run continuously..(what's with all these long words today)?

it keeps the air homogenized.

all the big bators' fans run all the time..

and if any of you are getting a hydrometer.. makes no difference if it is a cheapie or expensive one..
test it for accuracy.. also easy to do..

take a ziploc type bag.. put a 1/2 cup of salt into a cup and add 1/4 cup of water..put the cup w/salt in it, into the bag and then put your hydrometer into the bag also.
seal the bag and wait 8 hours..
your meter should read75%.. If it is off, plus or minus, that is the amount you must add or subtract to the readings in your bators..

Pet supply stores have reptile meters that seem to be pretty accurate and usually less than $5..

Thank you for posting this! All of my hygrometers are terribly off. I will definitely try this!!!!

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
dana, the way I see it; 40% = 75%
75 minus 40 = 35

55% plus 35 = 90% that seems a bit high..