Homemade Incubator, What Have You Learned?

[jus1jack]

So far I have learned that is pretty easy to put a homemade incubator together. Lots of great examples here. https://www.backyardchickens.com/chicken-coop-incubator.html
Not so easy to get it one up and running satable and efficiently. In my opnion.

What about choosing all the options?...ie heat source, thermostat, insulation, fan, egg turner, thermometer, hydrometer, wet, dry, bricks, sand, gravel, water jars, wigglers,? Oh my!!!
Did I forget anything? How you have tuned or tweaked your bator to the best it can be?
What are your accepted temperature swing limits?

I'll start with what I have learned so far...

The Heat Source:
I'm using standard light bulbs. Two are better than one. In case one goes out the other one will still carry the load providing it is hot enough. I started with two 40W bulbs but found that one 15W bulb has enough energy to do the job in my bator. So I'm now using two 15W bulbs. Much less temp swings and way more efficient.

The Thermostat:
Let's see, I've tried the hotwater heater thermostat, dimmer switch and a fish tank thermostat
Their are pros and cons on all of them. I'm currently testing / using a 150W fish tank thermostat. The 150W is way over kill now as the load is now only 30W. I'm only on day 3 of incubatoon but it is working absutly perfect for me so far. 98.6 to 100.4

I'm in the process of "tuning" the hotwater heater thermostat. to be more stable and have it way better than it was.
Hot Water Heater Thermostat-Modification Here...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=26580-thermostat-modification

That's enough from me for now. I'll cover the bricks, sand, gravel, water jars, & stuff later...
spellin edit lol

 

[DPhillips]

I have the same problem with my homemade incubator. I used a hotwater thermostat and had some pretty high temp swings 10-12 deg. Let us know how your modification works out. I will try it myself!

 

[lynxs1981]

I know this is an old thread, but has anyone tried the thermostat mods outlined here?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Really don't need to mod the thermostat. Read this page an watch the videos. http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html

 

[rebel yell]

have you tried a wafer thermostat, that's what i use in mine, it varies 98-101 but hatch rate is good so i keep it there.

 

[chicknduck]

I followed a post on here and bought a Reptimeter by zoomed. It just turns the light off whenn desired temp is reached. It saved me, I went thru so much agrivation before I ot it and now it is so much easier to maintain. Good luck.

 

[lynxs1981]

Quote:
I did not see that. Thanks for the link, I will be trying that.

 

[BunnyMomma]

Thanks! rebelcowboysnb
I just read this thread and went to your video. It was just what I needed. I reduced my temp swing and now I just have to get the temp just right! Whew! The eggs will be here tomorrow. I enjoyed the Video, it was easy to understand. Even for us girlies!

Bunny from NC