How do I adjust a hot water heater thermo to prevent temp swings?

[quiltnchik]

We just put together a homemade incubator last night, using an old wine refrigerator. I bought a lower hot water heater thermostat from Lowe's, but we're having problems with temperature swings. It cuts off at 102 and back at at 97. Is there some way to adjust the thermostat to prevent this? I had found instructions somewhere on how to take one apart and make adjustments (I've done so much searching/reading online that my eyes are crossing

), but I don't remember where I saw it and I can't find it again now.

Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[Lark Rise]

http://cmfarm.us/WHTincubator.html

This helped us alot. Originally, we had our thermostat too far from the light bulb. We flipped the thermostat so its backside faced the light bulb and moved it closer to the light bulb. The temp swings now only a tenth of a degree in the eggmeter.

 

[paddock36]

If you have the same one as me there is a little screw that you turn to adjust. There will still be somewhat of a temp. swing but a little cooler is better than a little hotter. Here is a picture of mine. It's mounted upside down so the screw is pictured on the top of the thermostat. Also if it is mounted far away from the heat source (lightbulb) will also make it have more of a temp swing.