Incuabator Temperature Wont Stay

[ddeans]

I have a little giant incubator with the automatic egg turner thing in it. I am trying to get it to 99.5-100.0 as per what everyone here says. But I am not winning this battle.

I have the little red things in the top, I put 2 thermometers in there because I thought the first one was messed up, but they both read the same. It started off at 86, so I turned the knob towards increase temp. Then it went to 105.6 so then I obviously turned it down, just a little and it dropped to 98 (after 2 hours) then I barely turned it up and it went to 102. I have been going up and down for 14 hours now trying to get it to 99.5 - 100 but I am not winning, no matter how little I turn that knob I cannot get it to get in that range. Do you think the incubator is bad?

It is a still air incubator, and it is holding humidity at 63% for about 9 hours.

I ordered one of the nice top brower models, but it hasn't come in yet..

And no, there are no eggs in it. Thank god, because I wouldn't want them getting a taste of the 4 seasons already.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

If it's Still Air...101 to 102 range nothing higher.....Just keep tweaking a tiny bit each time....

Humidity should be 40 to 50% range first 18 days

60 to 70% range last 3 days....

All this will drop if and when you first set your eggs in the bator so give it hours or a day to come back up to the correct temp and humidity....

 

[ddeans]

So I can keep it at 101ish and be fine?

And should I take some water out? How do you lower the humidity?

 

[PurpleChicken]

Ok, to begin with temp fluctuation of 1 degree is normal.

You must adjut the knob a TINY bit, then leave it for two hours.

Another problem is there is nothing in it. Any empty bator is hard
to regulate. Put 3 water bottles in it and go to sleep. In the morning
make a final adjustment and you should be set. Remember a TINY
turn. Those thermostats are super sensitive.

The fan kit would help too.


I have 3 LG's with fans and turners. I love them. I also have a Brinsea
Octagon 40 ($500). I have learned to stabilize the temps in my LG's
almost as well as the Brinsea holds temp.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
101 is ok but it all depends on where the thermometer is. I hold mine
at 101 with my digital thermometers taped to the windows.

Did you pull out both red plugs on the top? Those regulate humidity.
I keep all the water wells full all the time and use the red plugs.

 

[ddeans]

I can't get a fan kit soon enough, I was supposed to have my newer incubator yesterday, and it hasn't even shipped yet.. I have eggs coming tomorrow or Saturday too. I will put a water bottle in it tonight ( as I only have 1) and check it again in the morning. Hopefully it is where it needs to be.

Thanks so much for all the help!

 

[ddeans]

Quote:
I have one red cap in, my 2 year old lost the other. I have the hole shut though with a piece of plastic though. Should I remove them to lower humidity?

 

[ddeans]

Also, my thermometers are right on the bottom. I am afraid to tape it, because they are heavy and I don't want it to break an egg.

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
It will stabilize. Put a can of soda in it so you have mass. I usually use
2 spring water bottles. Once you add the eggs you will be fine.

LG's can be tricky but they can also work great. I have 60 quail, 14
silkies, and 7 Denzuli eggs in my LG right now. My Brinsea is empty
but will be a hatcher in a week.

The Brower is a nice bator too. It's always good to have two bators,
expecially in case one fails. Plus you can have staggered hatches with
two, one as a bator and one as a hatcher.

Best of luck

 

[PurpleChicken]

Quote:
If they are on the bottom i would try to keep them at 100. Still airs
are always hotter up top. Egg level temps are critical.

Do a search here for water wigglers. Those help a lot too.