More problems with water heater thermostat, Need Help!!!

[FrenchToast]

So, We got the incubator all wired up, fan, water heater thermostat and turned it all on.,
We just can't seem to get the temp to stablize. First it's to low. Then to high. Tried two 15 watt bulbs, not hot enought. Tried two 25 watts etc.
First let me tell you we are using a plastic laundry tub. We put the insulation on the outside so the actual measurements of the inside are 21"wx21"wx14"h
We put the light, fan and thermostat on the top of the lid which is on hinges.

I was using a ceiling light fixture that has a two bulbs.
One of the questions I have about the thermostat is when you put it back together after drilling ventilation holes in it is how do you keep it together. I used a zip tie. At first Hubby rubber banded it and it was sensitive to just bumping the incubator. After putting the zip tie on the end closest to the dial it was less sensitive.

They say to put the thermostat 2" from the heat source (light bulbs) but my bulbs go out in two directions???

I'll attach pictures later but does anyone have any other advice.
I've already studied all of the previous post as far as wiring etc so don't resend those.

Help !!! Should I move things around. Use just one bulb???

Thanks much

 

[Daidohead]

Really need a pic

 

[FrenchToast]

Here is a picture of the lid on my tubabator/hatcher. The thermostat is to the left of the light bulbs.

Hope I uploaded the picture correctly.

 

[babsbag]

At the very top in the menu bar is one that says "uploads". You upload them there and then use the link in your post. Took me a while to figure it out as well.

The first thermostat I used I tried to drill and ended up drilling through my finger instead. So I bought another one and didn't drill it.

I have one 45 watt bulb near the bottom of the incubator, and I mounted my thermostat right above the lightbulb, about 3/4" above the light. I built a wire cage around the light bulb and mounted the thermostat on top of the wire. I also used 2 computer fans, one at floor level and one towards the top, on opposite sides of the incubator. One fan was mounted right in front of the light bulb. Putting in two fans really leveled out my temps for me.

Good luck with yours, and the pictures. Hatching is addictive.

 

[FrenchToast]

Quote:
How big is your bator? Mine is 21x21x14". Maybe I should run the wires up thru the drain hole and mount the bulb on the bottom?? This is driving me crazy. Plus I don't know how to put the thermastat back together so it stays together. That thin wafer disk inside is very sensitive so to much pressure on it when you put it back together will make a difference.
Yeah, I know how hatching is addictive. I now have 3 hovabator 1588's going and I want this hatcher to be ready so I don't mess up the insides of my 1588's. So I need it running well by next week !!!

 

[babsbag]

I ended up not drilling my thermostat. After the first one when I literally put a drill bit through my finger, (since we moved DH has not mounted our vice on a workbench) broke the bit, and the thermostat, I read a post where the person just mounted thiers with the back of it close to the heat source, and I said, that is for me. It worked great.

My incubator is and old picnic basket, about 18x12x12 would be my guess, quite a bit smaller than yours. I mounted my light on the bottom since heat rises, and that is also why I mounted the thermostat on top of the light, but it is very close to it. I made a hole in the top of my incubator right above the thermostat and attached a little screwdriver to a dowel so I could adjust the temps without opening it. That worked really well during lockdown. I don't think that mine would have worked with 2 lights, my thermostat just isn't that sensitive.

Someone suggested this from ebay. I think I will buy one for next time.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-Digital-Te...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3efe991620

 

[FrenchToast]

Here is a picture of the whole incubator. I couldn't figure out how to rotate the picture. LOL

 

[JCoogle]

I use a water heater therm without any modifications. The temp holds great for me but I keep it farther away from the heat source. I placed the therm closer to the eggs because I figured that is where the temp really matterd. Here is a pic of the bator setup.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

With that setup I think the fan is blowing cold air between the bulbs an not letting the bulb heat the thermostat as fast as it needs to.

Move the thermostat,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, to right here^^^ off that block an at the tip of that bulb.


That should give it lots of heat from the light an air movement

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Is there any way you can mount your light and thermostat on the side wall at least 5-6 inches from each other and just wire around it to keep the chicks away from it? The reason is, heat rises and all your heat is going to be on the top. I only use one 25watt bulb in mine.