need help with making an emergancy bator

[KDbeads]

Quote:
Ant a dimmer an a rheostat the same thing?

I should clarify that, shouldn't I?

I'm getting a 'programmable' rheostat http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OVD7Q8/ref=ox_ya_os_product so I don't have to check it every hour. I can't find a used aquarium heater out here so figured if I was going to drive an hour one way to buy something I should just go ahead and order it far cheaper without having to rewire anything.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Now I'm real confused? What kind of dimmer switch are you using that would make that product a upgrade? That is a very basic light dimmer wired in to a drop cord (+a fancy name). It should work just like any cheep dimmer from the hardware store. Unless I'm missing something you will be in the same situation that you are now.

 

[KDbeads]

It has a probe for reading temp, the dial is turned up and down to acquire the temp you want and the device turns on/off the heat source which is plugged into it to maintain that temp.
Meaning I don't have to wire in a thermostat nor do I have to adjust the light strength with a dimmer switch to maintain temps myself. I can leave the house for 4 hours knowing the temps will be maintained without me having to do it, can't do that with a dimmer alone especially if the sun comes out or it rains and changes the way my AC runs which affects the room climate my bator is sitting in.
Plus this will be a dual purpose item. If need be I can use this with a heat rock for bottle baby kittens I tend to get every couple of months, my last heat pad fried.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

The product you linked to is a plane old rheostat/dimmer switch, no probe, no ability to turn the power on an off.

Zoo Med makes a thermostat that does what your describing. At least I think it does.
The Zoo Med ReptiTemp 500R.

I was going to try a Zoo Med Thermostat when I built mine but the wattage rating was way to low for my application. My incubator uses over 2000 watts.

 

[KDbeads]

That bottom one must be the one hubby ordered then

(it was supposed to be a surprise but since it didn't get here before the eggs did he told me about it) Wish it would hurry up and get here though so I can be sure, hate waiting....

 

[Sillystunt]

 

[monita]

well before you go making a home made incubator how old are your eggs and have they already been set? if they are fresh eggs and haven"t already been set why not just store them till the ones due to hatch the 25th are hatched and you have the space in the bator.... from what i have read you can store the eggs for a good bit before they go bad and if it"s not too long you can still have a good hatch. i wouldn't advise doing it with a home made incubator unless it is a REALLY good one.

 

[Sillystunt]

after 7-10 days they drop 50% in fertility. So they are about 5 days old right now. Waiting till the 25 will be 2 weeks old. That's way to long to have eggs sit and wait.The fertility will be in the tube!

 

[Sillystunt]

WHY

why

WHY

the darn dimmer broke! Cheap piece of China %#$&

ANd my husband has boycotted my bator to finish the darn bathroom. I mean who REALLY needs a bathroom

 

[Laney]

Men, they always have different priorities than we do don't they?

So what is the plan now? Light bulb and thermometer with lots of watching???

Laney