Lyon electric TX-7

[OlandskMama]

Thank you Smoky,
The incubator turns out to be a 1985 model TX5 -(manual egg turner ) It had a bad thermo wafer.but for $25 I thought I had the framework and could replace parts and make it work. Also missing the hygrometer/thermometer and egg turner. These parts are going to be pretty spendy from Lyons. My husband thinks we should order the solid state 10 turn thermostat Will it make a huge difference? Do you have advice for other sources for affordable replacement parts? In your experience, what did you find to be the best parts of the system?
I'm sorry I didn't see your sale of your old incubators .
Beth

 

[OlandskMama]

Smoky!
I went to your website and THANK YOU ! Your pictures and explanation of the parts of the incu are much clearer than the brochures that
came with the unit!
Beth

 

[Bill 101]

Hey Carla (Smoky) how ya doing?

OlandskMama, You'll do well taking her advice. I've had Lyon Incubators for 30 years & all of them are still running. I've updated them & replaced some parts but they are extremely reliable & accurate. I started with a TX4 & a RollX & then bought a new TX6. My TX4 came with a turner & it can be used on the TX6 because the base hasn't changed. Converting your TX5 to a TX6 (manual turn) (the difference between a TX6 & a TX7 is basically the turner) is really pretty easy if you have a wee bit of mechanical, electrical & electronic experience. I converted my TX4 to a TX6 about 6 or 8 years ago.
I wouldn't worry about a Turner if you can turn the eggs 4 times a day by hand by simply turning the dome. I've found, while the turner is nice, that I got just as good a hatch by turning by hand 4 times a day (6AM, 10AM, 2PM, & 6PM.

 

[OlandskMama]

Thank you Bill 101!
It looks like I got to the right place to ask questions! With your newest model do you have solid state thermostat and is it that much more reliable at temp control? as opposed to the wafer thermo? Also of concern is the humidity control because the eggs I am hatching (Olandsk Dwarf) appear to need 60% for the last days in lockdown..
So far my best incubator is a silkie mama named ZsaZsa. She always keeps the proper temp and humidity. But I hope to make Lyon the back up for her so she can take vacations some times

Thanks for your encouragement and info! I did find Smoky's website on Lyons to be very informative too.

Beth

 

[Bill 101]

Actually all of them are now Solid State. The Roll-X & the TX6, came new with it & the TX-4 I converted. It had a Wafer/snap switch system in it when I got it. I used the TX4 for a long time with the wafer system & it worked fine, but YES the Solid State is more accurate. It generally holds temperature at + or - 1/2 degree.
Don't worry about reaching the correct humidity, these units will do ANYTHING you need. I bought an extra water bottle & I have one set for incubating the other (higher humidity) for hatching. I just switch bottles the last 3 days.
I raised Cochin Bantams & know hat you are talking about on how well the Hens set. I wanted all the eggs I could get from my Hens, so I didn't want them hatching & raising chicks when I could take the eggs & hatch them in the incubators & keep them laying