I need advice on why my incubator isn't working right.

[CherokeeCowgirl]

Hovabator 1620N and brand new. I let it run for a day to get temps up stable. I put the eggs in and now it has been a battle every since. I have to check the temps every 30 minutes. It will be at 102 and the light will be off. Then next time I look it will be 106 and I turn it down just a hair and next time I check it will be 94 or 96.

What do I do????????

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Any chance it's the thermometer? Maybe the wafer thermostat? If it was stable before then putting the eggs in should not have messed with it too much. It should have gone down from opening and putting them in, otherwise should still be stable. Is it in a draft free area?

 

[CherokeeCowgirl]

It is draft free in there. It did take a while (or it seemed like it to me) for the temps to ever reach stable before I put in the eggs. It is suposed to be a brand new thermometer. How would I know? I only have one.

 

[bigdawg]

what kind brand of thermometer do you have. the digital combo from walmart works real good for me. i have a spot check i also use to make sure its right on. i always have more than more thermometer. minor temp swings are going to happen.

 

[kid-n-chickens]

If you buy the combo thermomether/hygrometer at Wal-Mart they are under $8, both that I purchased thermometers are accurate but I done the salt water test take 1/2c. Salt add 1/4 cup water put in a small bowl put both the thermometer/hygrometer and the bowl of salt water in a zip lock bag not touching and let it set for after 12 hours, after the 12 hours in the bag it should read 75% now you know how far it is off and can calculate out the real humidity

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I got the one from walmart also and it works great for me also. And you can tell the humidity too

 

[bigdawg]

the one from walmart takes a few minutes to read temp. if you are using one with a probe like the spot check, it reads every second therefore you will have to average the temp. 98 to 101 range is perfect for hatching.