High tech incubator controller

[Shamo Hybrid]

Just use a reptile thermostat controller...... they work pretty well and simple to use.

 

[HatchCraft]

I think this is what I want (AC socket). I really should have paid more attention in my circuits class... So a plug and play module is what I'm trying to achieve. Something like this:

but obviously a socket for heat, fan, humidifier, and egg turners. I really could get away with sockets only for the egg turners as I'd like the ability to easily switch between turning styles. I just need a nudge in the right direction. Let me know if I sucked at explaining what I'm trying to accomplish or if I can provide anymore info.Thank you so much!

 

[HatchCraft]

I didn't want to buy it before I could figure out how to wire it. I think once I know how to do one I could figure out the rest of the sockets. The next hurdle would be the egg turner with left and right switches as most of the diy I have read about are just run 360 degrees. Looks like you could do either with this controller, it would just change the timing interval.

Most of the turner motors I'm familiar with run in only one direction. Typical gear motor. The schematic looks like a reversible motor.

 

[Dogface208]

OK. Pick a device you want to work and I'll step you through how to wire it up. The first thing we'd do is get an AC power cord, cut off the socket end and wire it into terminals 1 and 4. Or scavenge a power cord from a broken appliance or something. This would give the unit power.

The humidity sensor that comes with it would go into its own socket, and the temperature sensor would be wired into terminals 16 and 17.

I'm good with the actual wiring part. If I need help my husband has a little inside wiring experience. How about the humidifier? I bought an atomizer for that component so that comes with a plug. I may just go ahead and hardwire the other parts so I dont have to buy a bunch of plugs/sockets.

I understand where the live wire from the power source wires up to specific terminals and I guess that each of the other terminals need to be wired to the neutral. I just dont know how the devices come off those terminals.

 

[Dogface208]

Just use a reptile thermostat controller...... they work pretty well and simple to use.

This controller is $40. I started with reptile controllers, but the digital models are super expensive and the ones I was interested in are only distributed from the UK. Plug they dont have egg turners.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I'm good with the actual wiring part. If I need help my husband has a little inside wiring experience. How about the humidifier? I bought an atomizer for that component so that comes with a plug. I may just go ahead and hardwire the other parts so I dont have to buy a bunch of plugs/sockets.

I understand where the live wire from the power source wires up to specific terminals and I guess that each of the other terminals need to be wired to the neutral. I just dont know how the devices come off those terminals.

Here's the wiring diagram. To hook up the 120VAC humidifier you'd either plug it into a socket, or cut off the plug and wire the neutral into terminal 1, the hot into terminal 5 and a hot wire from your 120VAC source cord into terminal 7. Terminal 7 acts as the hot for terminals 5. 6. 8. 9 and 10 (humidity, light, ventilation and left/right motor).

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

btw you could control 2 devices per 2-outlet unit. I'm pretty sure that you can have independent hots on your typical two-outlet wall assembly. To wire up outlets instead of hardwiring the devices themselves you'd run each hot to the respective terminals. You're going to have to mount that controller to a box or something, so mounting two wall outlet units to it you could have 4 total outlets and control 4 devices. You'd just have to label each one.

See how there's a terminal screw for each hot? Just make sure you get one with a removable jumper that connects the two and you can have independent hots. You'd run a wire from each of these terminals to terminals on the controller. Then you could control whatever you plug into each socket.

 

[Hillside hatchery]

I actually just ordered that same controller as I’ve been using the Chinese 112 egg incubator and have had nothing but problems with it. The controller will be here today, I will be temporarily wiring it into my no name incubator to bypass the faulty temp sensor. While this batch is incubating I’ll be starting on my new cabinet incubator. Then I’ll order another pid controller to wire into the no name incubator to use that for the final 3 days to keep the cabinet incubator cleaner!

 

[Dogface208]

I actually just ordered that same controller as I’ve been using the Chinese 112 egg incubator and have had nothing but problems with it. The controller will be here today, I will be temporarily wiring it into my no name incubator to bypass the faulty temp sensor. While this batch is incubating I’ll be starting on my new cabinet incubator. Then I’ll order another pid controller to wire into the no name incubator to use that for the final 3 days to keep the cabinet incubator cleaner!

Let me know how you like it and how wiring it goes! I'm probably going to start on the cabinet incubator this winter.

 

[Hillside hatchery]

It came in yesterday. I wired it into my defective incubator to run the heating side of things. It was simple! I would highly recommend ordering a solid state relay and using that method of running the heating element as just running it from the “heater supply” caused it to shut off at my desired temp, and the heat sink held enough heat to bring the temp up to high before the heat sink would cool off. I’m running it on the SSR and it is currently auto tuning itself and working perfect!