Incubator temp too low

[Godiva]

I have a bunch of eggs in my hovabator 1583 (old one) that have been incubating for a week. Temps stable around 99.5F. Just went downstairs to check on it and the temp was at 97.5F! The basement temperature is very stable - very little fluctuation in temp at all. Is something wrong with the thermostat? I'm trying to get the temp up but I have to keep turning it up and only get a small raise in temp for each adjustment where before it was much more responsive... Help!

 

[Tonyroo]

Helps to have several digital temp readers just incase the main one is broken, I have 3 that I use when I incubate.

 

[Godiva]

Helps to have several digital temp readers just incase the main one is broken, I have 3 that I use when I incubate.

I do - and they were all showing the same thing

 

[Tonyroo]

How does your incubator heat up? With a light or heating element?

 

[Godiva]

It's a heating element

 

[Tonyroo]

You might want to look at the condition of the element, see if it's worn out or there's hairline cracks on the element itself or maybe just dirty. And also check your digital thermostat that regulates it. See if the sensor is miss positioned.

 

[Godiva]

That sounds great - but I am clueless as to what part is what. I can check the element...

 

[Godiva]

 

[Godiva]

That's a pic of the underside of the lid... Not sure what's what

 

[Godiva]

This is a view of the top of the lid - it's pretty old