Incubator completed/Test eggs in

[tiki244]

I made the incubator out of a styrofoam ice chest. I got some of the parts donated to me through a local internet group called freecycle, where people post stuff to give away rather than through in trash. I got the PC fan, the transformer, and the ice chest for free. I had some wire for the bottom. I bought the lamp kit and a hot water heater thermostat and a thermometer, wired it together and had a terrible time controlling the temperature. I ended up rearranging the light, fan, and thermostat several times. Changed different wattage light bulbs several times. I also bought an accurite thermometer/hydrometer and a springfield thermometer/hydrometer and after searching high and low found a water wiggler. I put so many holes in the styrofoam that I needed a roll of tape to patch it up from moving stuff around. I put a small window in the top. I calibrated the thermometers by doing the ice water test. The accurite is the most accurit. only .4* off. We have no Lowes or Home Depot around here so unfortunately the hot water heater thermostat was not very good(I think if I would have gotten one there it would have been better)

Eventually a friend of mine gave me a used wafer thermostat for an incubator. Within 7 hours the temperature was holding steady enough that I decided to put the eggs in. I have the bator in a room with a vaporisor that is putting humidity into the room. The 3 hydrometers are reading 45%, 29%, and 39%. I guess that will do for now. The water wiggler is at 100.9* and subtracting .4* that would be 100.5*. The incubator cost about $20, the thermometers cost about $30 altogether thats $50. I will make another one but will probably put a shield on the light and run the fan blow right into the light and sponge area. There is one BYC members posted like that and I think that would help. I probably will need to make one soon with all that tape But it was a very good learning experience and all I need is a good box to transfer the parts. I will definetely make sure I have a decent thermostat next time.

I put 5 banty mixed chicks(?) BO,Cochin, and Mille Fleur combo so who knows? Hopefully something will hatch!!!!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Here is hoping for a good hatch!

 

[hart31]

I'm using a control from an old electric frying pan for a thermostat. It's a little touchy to adjust but it seems to hold the temp with very little fluctuation.

My problem was too much difference from one side of the bator to the other.

I showed a diagram of the bator to a local heating contractor this morning and he suggested I add a cold air return duct from the cool side of the bator to the baffle in front of my light bulb. I'll roll a piece of tin or cardboard into a tube and put in place this evening. I agree with him that it will make a major change in the airflow.

 

[tiki244]

Yes I would like to see a picture of that when you are done. I saw some good pictures somewhere on here where someone had four lightbulbs in an overhead fan combo light socket and a shield and a fan and I thought that might help with the fluctuations more. But they must of had a big box to start with to fit all that in. So do you just take the end off the frying pan thing and (wait how did you wire that?) I would love to see a diagram of that or picture. That would be much cheaper than buying incubator thermostats. Always looking to save a buck when I can!!! Cant afford not to. And I must say what an excellent idea!!!!KUDOS TO YOU!!!!