Incubator temp is still climbing. Why?

[quintinp]

Update. After many emails back and forth with G.Q.F (the manufacturer of the 1588), they have agreed to send me an updated replacement top. It appears from our conversation, that what has caused the temperature rise in my unit is that the 1588 is factory set to operate at humidity levels between 45 and 65% and that running it at lower humidity levels may cause the system to raise the heat levels. They did not come right out and say this, but they have made statements that could be understood this way. They have maintained that there is nothing wrong with my unit, but that I should only use the wet incubation system (with 55% humidity level) because that is what the system is designed to be use with. I have asked them multiple time if using the dry incubation system with humidity level around 35% could be cause the inexplicable temperature rise, but they simply respond that they do not recommend using dry system and that is why my hatches are failing, and that it is not the fault of their incubator. They maintain this even after I have pointed out to them clearly that I followed their directions on my first batch and only hatched 1 out of 24 eggs. It's like talking to a record.

Anyway they said they will send me a new top; so let's see if they will. At least they are responding to my emails, unlike Cutler Supply that never has. I did not even contact G.Q.F, they called me because they saw my post on this forum about the problems with their product. They evidently don't like people commenting on the problems they are having with G.Q.F products on the internet and have a team to watch for this. Now that's a company that is watching out for their company name! No wonder it is so hard to find any negative reviews about their products.

Ooh I am very sorry about this. I would return it, and get a Hovabator with a wafer thermostat. I have this sort of problem with my Rcom mini incubator, It keeps levels of 50% humidity with water. I DON'T like that, and when I don't add water it beeps about every 15 minutes I think. The beeps aren't loud or anything, I just dry incubate, and let the beeps go off. Once I tried to disable the beeping, but I am not worried about it anymore.

 

[SierraView]

Quote: The reason the temp went down most likely is the water you added was colder then your incubator temp. I use the 1588 also and when I add water the temp will drop till it heats up to the temp in the incubator.



Quote: A sportsman would've saved you a lot of money. Just sayin, then you wouldn't need a fancy room.

You had some eggs developing so maybe the problem has to do with eggs being shipped? I think them sending you the old 1588 is awful and I'm glad you're able to get the replacement. I have the old model and just got the new one with digital display and its fantastic.

 

[Meara]

I also am having problems with climbing temperatures in my Hovabator Genesis 1588 (older model). I get it all set up and stabilized at ~100 degrees for a couple days before putting my eggs in and it all looks good. I put the eggs in and things are fine for several days, but then I start having temperature spikes. At first the spikes are just a degree and then a couple degrees and then 5 degrees! I have a couple thermometers inside and one of them is a digital that also records maximum and minimum temperatures since last checked. I have an automatic turner and I have been using a dry incubation method adding water as needed to keep humidity around 30%. I'm on day 14 of incubation and I'm terrified I'm going to lose the entire batch. And yeah, some of the eggs in there were expensive

This has happened during previous hatches as well. The amount of money I've lost on expensive eggs I should have just bought a new incubator... I start out with healthy developing embryos and then the temperature spikes begin and I start losing them left and right.
I have tried adjusting those little switches according to the directions and have experimented with them when the incubator is running, but empty. Like I said, all seems good to go fine until I'm partway through a hatch

So is it the humidity? Is my thermostat shot?

 

[Jungleexplorer]

I also am having problems with climbing temperatures in my Hovabator Genesis 1588 (older model). I get it all set up and stabilized at ~100 degrees for a couple days before putting my eggs in and it all looks good. I put the eggs in and things are fine for several days, but then I start having temperature spikes. At first the spikes are just a degree and then a couple degrees and then 5 degrees! I have a couple thermometers inside and one of them is a digital that also records maximum and minimum temperatures since last checked. I have an automatic turner and I have been using a dry incubation method adding water as needed to keep humidity around 30%. I'm on day 14 of incubation and I'm terrified I'm going to lose the entire batch. And yeah, some of the eggs in there were expensive

This has happened during previous hatches as well. The amount of money I've lost on expensive eggs I should have just bought a new incubator... I start out with healthy developing embryos and then the temperature spikes begin and I start losing them left and right.
I have tried adjusting those little switches according to the directions and have experimented with them when the incubator is running, but empty. Like I said, all seems good to go fine until I'm partway through a hatch

So is it the humidity? Is my thermostat shot?

Sounds like you and I have the same problem. I don't think anyone really knows, or can explain scientifically, why this is happening to us with our 1588's. My theory is that the type of thermostat that is in the 1588 is sensitive to humidity and lower humidity levels cause it to increase the heat. I can't explain why it does this, but the evidence from my close observation of it's function over the last two months points to this being the problem.

Here is a quote from an email I got from the manufacturer: "Run the incubator 45 to 55 % while turning eggs 55 to 65 % 3 days before they hatch . The temperature has been set here."

Now that statement does not say that running it at lower humidity levels will cause problems, but it sure could be interpreted that way.

 

[Meara]

I tend to agree with that assessment. I added water and upped the humidity last night and right now my temp is stable. That would be fine except with my bantam eggs keeping the humidity that high doesn't shrink the air cell enough and the chicks get too large and can't get out.

 

[Meara]

I have an update for anyone following this thread. For the remainder of incubation as long as I kept my humidity between 30% and 50% my temperature remained stable. When I entered lockdown I upped the humidity and the temperature spiked repeatedly to over 109 degrees! I've had a couple chicks hatch so far and they are really sticky. I'm waiting to see what happens over the next 24 hours... Maybe I just need a new thermostat. I'm not sure what to think.

 

[Jungleexplorer]

Did you say 109! Wow that is hot. I was worried when my got to 101. I am on day 23 and I have only 6 chicks out of 46 eggs. Better then nothing but, holy cow, that is a bad ratio! I only have 7 more eggs left in the incubator (the rest were candled and removed on day 14), but there is no more pips, so I think 6 is all I get. The funny things is, I had eggs from five different sellers in my incubator and only 6 eggs from a single seller hatched. Does anyone think this is just a coincidence?