Lockdown day 16

[007Sean]

I bought cheap incubators on Amazon one is tricottage and the other is smart incubator (they look the same ) i didn't have a thermometer or hygrometer at first because i thought they would've come with them . When i finally got them i learned the temp was completely off and humidity in the high 60"s. I've learned not to keep the water line hooked up because it keeps humidity very high. so when i see it drop , i hook the hose up and put very little water. Hopefully this new hatch will be better now that i have learned alot more.
Thank you for all.the feedback, i really appreciate it Ill keep this updated on my new set.

Yeah, the cheap incubators have horrible sensors. You can get a decent hygrometer at WalMart, reasonably priced ($11) Accurite has temp as well as humidity but you can't really calibrate the temp but you can do a 'salt test' calibration on the humidity sensor. Here's a pic of one, that I'm doing a calibration on.

 

[Keribabi]

Yeah, the cheap incubators have horrible sensors. You can get a decent hygrometer at WalMart, reasonably priced ($11) Accurite has temp as well as humidity but you can't really calibrate the temp but you can do a 'salt test' calibration on the humidity sensor. Here's a pic of one, that I'm doing a calibration on.
View attachment 3468198

What is a salt test ?

 

[007Sean]

What is a salt test ?

A simple way to calibrate a hygrometer!
Place some table salt in a medicine bottle cap. Drip water on to it until it is all wet but not watery. Place the bottle cap of salt and the hygrometer into an air tight container and let the hygrometer and the air that's trapped inside the bag, equalize. Usually, anywhere from 6 to 8 hours ( I let mine stabilize for 12 hours). After the stabilization period, take a reading of the percent moisture. It should be 75% Rh after this time. If it is higher than 75%, you subtract the difference, if it is lower than 75% you add that percent to the reading to get the actual % Rh

There are many sites on the net that have the procedures for the salt test calibration....just Google, 'salt test calibration'.

 

[Keribabi]

A simple way to calibrate a hygrometer!
Place some table salt in a medicine bottle cap. Drip water on to it until it is all wet but not watery. Place the bottle cap of salt and the hygrometer into an air tight container and let the hygrometer and the air that's trapped inside the bag, equalize. Usually, anywhere from 6 to 8 hours ( I let mine stabilize for 12 hours). After the stabilization period, take a reading of the percent moisture. It should be 75% Rh after this time. If it is higher than 75%, you subtract the difference, if it is lower than 75% you add that percent to the reading to get the actual % Rh

There are many sites on the net that have the procedures for the salt test calibration....just Google, 'salt test calibration'.

I never even knew i had to do this , thanks for the help I'm gonna check it out and see.

 

[CliftonQuail]

A simple way to calibrate a hygrometer!
Place some table salt in a medicine bottle cap. Drip water on to it until it is all wet but not watery. Place the bottle cap of salt and the hygrometer into an air tight container and let the hygrometer and the air that's trapped inside the bag, equalize. Usually, anywhere from 6 to 8 hours ( I let mine stabilize for 12 hours). After the stabilization period, take a reading of the percent moisture. It should be 75% Rh after this time. If it is higher than 75%, you subtract the difference, if it is lower than 75% you add that percent to the reading to get the actual % Rh

There are many sites on the net that have the procedures for the salt test calibration....just Google, 'salt test calibration'.

Have you ever tried the salt test on multiple hygrometers in the same bag? Either I'm doing something wrong or every one of mine is reading 8 - 10 % low. That could explain why I have such lousy hatch rates.

 

[007Sean]

Have you ever tried the salt test on multiple hygrometers in the same bag? Either I'm doing something wrong or every one of mine is reading 8 - 10 % low. That could explain why I have such lousy hatch rates.

Yep, this is the reason you should calibrate them every time you plan to incubate some eggs. You just add 8 - 10% to your reading, that way you can adjust the Rh level to bring it up to where it should be....also, if they are that far off from 75% Rh calibration, I'd get another hygrometer.
I have quite a few of them but the ones I use out of the bunch are only 1 to 3% difference.

 

[CliftonQuail]

Yep, this is the reason you should calibrate them every time you plan to incubate some eggs. You just add 8 - 10% to your reading, that way you can adjust the Rh level to bring it up to where it should be....also, if they are that far off from 75% Rh calibration, I'd get another hygrometer.
I have quite a few of them but the ones I use out of the bunch are only 1 to 3% difference.

Is there a particular model/brand you recommend. I have several Govee and one Acurite.

 

[007Sean]

Is there a particular model/brand you recommend. I have several Govee and one Acurite.

I use the Accurite, have several, most are 1 to 2% off, a couple of the others are as much as 16% off....I don't even bother with using/calibrating those ....just the 'luck of the draw' when buying the Accurites but if you get a good one, they hold their accuracy.