question about type of bulb for incubator

[shan04]

I've tried 3 different wattages of bulbs and can't seem to get my temp to stay consistent, it stays way over 100 degrees. I've tried adding holes and putting in a fan. I've got a thermostat on the way to help with this, but the other I decided to try using a fluorescent bulb 65 watts just to see if there would be much difference and it keeps my temp at a very steady and consistent 99 degrees, has anyone else used this type of bulb and is it even ok verses the old style incandescent?

 

[jruhle]

I used a very low wattage cfl in my last homemade bator and it maintained the temp surprisingly well! It was a pretty small bator, but I don't like incandecents because of fire hazard. Plus the cfl's have a longer life, so less risk of burning out on you.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Really, a thermostat is the best way to cycle the heat, as needed. Since the ambient temperature of the room swings as much as 10-15 degrees from cool of night to heat of afternoon, a thermostat controls the light bulb heating device by clicking it on/off as required.

In my experience, a simple bi-metal version from Incubators Warehouse, cost $17, will control the temperature, at least to within 2 to 2.5 degrees. A $26 wafer thermostat, can control the swing to a 1 to 1.5 degree swing. To go a step farther, the Incu-kit has a more sophisticated thermostat that doesn't work by merely clicking on/off but by controlling the voltage and thus incrementally adjusting the heat and keeping the "swing" of the temp to less than 1 degree. Nice. $50 but that kit also packages the fan and power supply all in one unit.

So, it all depends on what you wish to spend and how much better each hatch can be expected to be for those increased dollars spent.

 

[shan04]

I bought the thermostat and just received it but tried the cfl first and it's maintaining my temp perfectly but I'm still going to put the thermostat in.

 

[mistakingdeer]

do the cfl light bulb put out the same heat the old light bulbs do? when I change a cfl bulb it doesn't seem that warm/hot. would small heat lamp bulbs for reptiles work? I know the thermostat will regulate the time on and temp, just wondered about different types of bulbs.

 

[shan04]

For me the old bulbs put out way too much heat a 25 watt was making my small cooler incubator shoot over 106 degrees within a few minutes my coolers only a 12x24 so it doesn't have much space to heat up. But when I put in a 65 watt cfl it doesn't get as hot but keeps my incubator at a very consistent 99 100 degrees but the room I keep it in I keep at a consistent 70 degrees. I also have a fan in my incubator. My chicks are growing at a steady rate.