incubator temps-higher in bottom, lower in the top...help!

[77horses]

OK I tested the homemade incubator yesterday. Details:

25 watt light bulb
Incubator is a rectangle shape(styrofoam ice chest). Fan is on the short side, and the light bulb is on the other side in front of it:

]O is the light bulb

{ is the fan

_ _ is where the air holes are
______________
| |
|]O <light {| < fan
|__ _____ _____|
^
air hole



Anyways, I turned it on and let it run for several hours. I put a little warm water in the bowl(which is under the mesh wire, on the bottom of the bator). Humidity went up to about 30% with a little water in it. First, I took my homemade water wiggler(made from plastic snack bag), stuck the temp. probe into it, and place it on the bottom. This is where the eggs would go around day 18, whe I have to take them off the homemade turner. The temp. rose to 103.4*F at the most. It sometimes went down to 102*F, then back up, then back down...but not that often and not by very much. After that, I moved the water wiggler and temp. probe up to the turner and let it sit on the turner for a few hours. It went up to 101*F. then went back down to 100*F. It was pretty steady at 100.3-100.7*F, which is good for a first test run.

So my question is, how do I get the temp. lowered in the bottom??? The eggs will always be in the turner in the top of the bator, but when day 18 comes I will have to stop turning and put them in the bottom. But I'm afraid the higher temps. will affect them.

I have 2 air holes in the side, and when I tested it, both were open. Should I add a couple more air holes in the bottom? Thanks!

 

[77horses]

So basically, how can I lower temp. in the bottom?
Should I add some more air holes? If so, how many???


Thanks!

 

[77horses]

anyone....?

 

[Momma_Cluck]

I'd drill a couple new air holes in the top-- but get some plugs/corks that fit the holes so you can plug em if the temps drop too far.

My store-bought has 3 on top--- I leave em open but have a temp control...

You could also try a smaller wattage bulb????

 

[perrym1962]

Probably need to find a way to distribute the air more evenly..

 

[77horses]

Quote:
OK. well the top temp. is perfect, so I don't need a lower wattage light bulb. It's just the bottom that is too hot. shouldn't I put holes in the bottom???

 

[sben451]

If you have two air holes at or near the bottom of your incubator, you might try a coupld of holes near the top. That should help with air movement. In my homemade bator, I have all the working parts at one end of the cooler. The thermostat, then in the center of the end of the cooler--the light fixture (I used a 40W bulb), then to the right of the bulb--the fan which blows across the bulb toward the thermostat. Sometimes moving the fan or thermostat mean a better outcome temperature wise in a homemade bator--IMO. Keep experimenting--it'll work.

 

[77horses]

Quote:
OK thanks! I think I will add 2 more holes above the lower ones...see how that works...