Light on LG incubator flickering

[Hennyetta]

I borrowed an old Little Giant incubator that hasn't been used for years, and just set it up tonight to see if it would still run, and to get it stabilized for my eggs that I'm getting ready to set.

The temp inside is climbing (from the starting temp, 73 F, to 86 F in about an hour), but the little red light on the top is flickering. Does that mean it's not working right? Should I run out and get a new incubator tomorrow? It hasn't yet reached optimal temperature for incubation, but it's only been running for about an hour.

 

[ozexpat]

I borrowed an old Little Giant incubator that hasn't been used for years, and just set it up tonight to see if it would still run, and to get it stabilized for my eggs that I'm getting ready to set.

The temp inside is climbing (from the starting temp, 73 F, to 86 F in about an hour), but the little red light on the top is flickering. Does that mean it's not working right? Should I run out and get a new incubator tomorrow? It hasn't yet reached optimal temperature for incubation, but it's only been running for about an hour.

if it is empty, it should reach temp in about 20 minutes. I like to stabilize with a ziplock container of luke warm water to simulate egg volume.

If it does not stabilize in 4 hours with ballast , get another

good luck

 

[Hennyetta]

if it is empty, it should reach temp in about 20 minutes. I like to stabilize with a ziplock container of luke warm water to simulate egg volume.

If it does not stabilize in 4 hours with ballast , get another

good luck

I did have it turned down all the way at the beginning, and gradually increased the temp every hour or so. It was about 91 F a little before midnight last night, which is the last time I turned up the temp. It is at 99.5 this morning, but I don't know how long it took to reach that temperature.

The ziplock back is a good idea. I won't be ready to set for another day or two, so I have a little time to play with it. I've also been reading up on Little Giant tips and tricks for incubation her on BYC, and am going to get some of that foam insulation tape and put that around the bottom edge where the top and bottom meet, to help keep the heat in. One corner of the styrofoam is broken a little, and may not be holding the heat as well as it should.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have some sterilized rocks in there to help maintain the temp after I need to open it, or if the power goes off. I'm guessing that would probably make it take longer to reach temp?

 

[ozexpat]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have some sterilized rocks in there to help maintain the temp after I need to open it, or if the power goes off. I'm guessing that would probably make it take longer to reach temp?

if you have rocks in there you wont need the zippy.

little details like that make it easier for people trying to help you

good luck

 

[Hennyetta]

if you have rocks in there you wont need the zippy.

little details like that make it easier for people trying to help you

good luck

That's what I figured.

I'm going to open it to put a couple of dishes in for water when I need to up the humidity during lockdown (going to do a dry hatch) and put the insulation strip on, and am going to make a note of how much the temp drops and how long it takes to stabilize afterward.

 

[ozexpat]

Based on how many eggs I put in the styro bator, I use sealed zip lock containers with water as stabilizers during the hatch and simply open them at the first pip.

You seem to have a good handle on it.

 

[Hennyetta]

Based on how many eggs I put in the styro bator, I use sealed zip lock containers with water as stabilizers during the hatch and simply open them at the first pip.

You seem to have a good handle on it.

That's another good idea. I love this place-- you can always find new ideas to try!

I had the bator open for about 4 minutes to place the dishes and apply the strip. Temp dropped to 80, but was back up to 99.5 in 10-15 min. or so.

I'm excited to set my eggs tomorrow!