It has begun!!! 1st Time

[RoosterML]

Also some IncuView improvements I will be doing once this hatch is completed.
Drill hole in cover near tray motor area to act as water fill port. Buy rubber plug for hole while not in use. This will keep me from having to snake my fill wand over the eggs to add water. Very poor design of IncuView not to have a fill port some where.
Build a divider like @aart has done just because it's great idea and will be very handy to have when needed.

 

[aart]

Drill hole in cover near tray motor area to act as water fill port. Buy rubber plug for hole while not in use. This will keep me from having to snake my fill wand over the eggs to add water. Very poor design of IncuView not to have a fill port some where.

Look forward to seeing how you accomplish this, and what kind of access it gives you.
I would be very nervous to drill a hole in that lid.
Do let us know who that works out and how you did it.

I found buying this needle and syringe for adding water worked very well.
You kinda need a straight down approach to get water thru the bottom mesh,
even more so with the divider mesh I used. Biggest problem I have with filling reservoirs is seeing where they are(sharpie fixed that) and then how full they are.

Not sure many incubators have a decent fill port....tho am not familiar with many different models. IIRC @WVduckchick had used more than a few different incubators.

 

[WVduckchick]

I just open the lid and fill them up!

I used to go to the hassle of a bottle with a thin nozzle (like a plastic ketchup bottle) with aquarium tubing, thru a vent hole. Left the flexible tubing in place, so it was pretty easy.

The Nurture Right has an external reservoir on the side to add water, as does the Brinsea Mini, so I think the makers are getting the idea! Seems like the new Brinsea Ovations have external ports too, but I don’t have one of those.

@RoosterML Are you going to use a piece of tape on the plastic before drilling the hole with a special bit? I’d be so scared of cracking the plastic. Take pics as you go, it could be very useful for others.

 

[RoosterML]

@RoosterML Are you going to use a piece of tape on the plastic before drilling the hole with a special bit? I’d be so scared of cracking the plastic. Take pics as you go, it could be very useful for others.

Not sure yet what I will do to be honest. I'm thinking a hole saw bit in reverse maybe the best. I'll document what I do. Also thinking of heating it first. We'll see !!

 

[aart]

I just open the lid and fill them up!

Not sure yet what I will do to be honest. I'm thinking a hole saw bit in reverse maybe the best. I'll document what I do. Also thinking of heating it first. We'll see !!

Would probably be safest. Not sure don't think heat would be a good idea.
First, find out what the replacement cost of lid is .

But Ms Biddy did it successfully here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/incuview-incubator.852619/page-151#post-20488687

 

[RoosterML]

Would probably be safest. don't think heat would be a good idea.
First, find out what the replacement cost of lid is .

For heat I only mean blow dryer hot not heat gun hot. I am also thinking a spade bit might do very well.

 

[aart]

I am also thinking a spade bit might do very well.

Yep, shouldn't grab like a twist bit does....and with variable speed drill motor and light feed pressure should be pretty safe.

I just don't think heat is needed at all, what would be the advantage?
Room temperature is fine.

 

[WVduckchick]

For heat I only mean blow dryer hot not heat gun hot. I am also thinking a spade bit might do very well.

I was thinking like a diamond cone shaped bit, like for filing.
Sorta like this?

 

[RoosterML]

I was thinking like a diamond cone shaped bit, like for filing.
Sorta like this?
View attachment 1677812

I think that would melt the plastic more than it would cut it.

 

[aart]

I think that would melt the plastic more than it would cut it.

It could, and grinder type bit would heat plastic...
...and would probably clog before it cut much.