Regulating Temp in Home Made Cabinet Incubaor

[Photolady]

My boys and I built this incubator for our Homeschool engineering class and we are going to hatch a couple batches for science. We wanted to hatch our own this year to add to our flock so we are making it all part of school. We've gotten the humidity up, but can't seem to get the temp right. We've used a 60w, 100w, 125w, 150w. We are either too hot or too cold. We have a fan to circulate the air but I don't want to put eggs in until I know we are were we want to be and consistent. My light source is a brooder lamp. I had looked at hard wiring it, but I couldn't find clear enough instructions anywhere. So this is what we've got. I've already sunk way more than I thought I would into this. It does have a double door, the big door opens for access to the light and water (though I added the pvc pipe so I can add humidity without opening the incubator.) and the small door opens so we can candle without letting out too much heat.

 

[Lamaremybabies]

I’m really impressed!
As for the heat, have you tried adding a small hole to help regulate the temp?

 

[Photolady]

I’m really impressed!
As for the heat, have you tried adding a small hole to help regulate the temp?

Thank you. I'm impressed with myself, though I love building things. We had a lot of fun with this.

I can open the gaps back up. I covered them with insulation so heat couldn't escape. We finally got it to a high 99 with the 125 brooder bulb and it stayed consistent for 5 straight hours, still holding strong. Hopefully we got it right.

 

[BantyChooks]

My boys and I build this incubator for our Homeschool engineering class and we are going to hatch a couple batches for science. We wanted to hatch our own this year to add to our flock so we are making it all part of school. We've gotten the humidity up, but can't seem to get the temp right. We've used a 60w, 100w, 125w, 150w. We are either too hot or too cold. We have a fan to circulate the air but I don't want to put eggs in until I know we are were we want to be and consistent. My light source is a brooder lamp. I had looked at hard wiring it, but I couldn't find clear enough instructions anywhere. So this is what we've got. I've already sunk way more than I thought I would into this. It does have a double door, the big door opens for access to the light and water (though I added the pvc pipe so I can add humidity without opening the incubator.) and the small door opens so we can candle without letting out too much heat.

View attachment 1268580 View attachment 1268585 View attachment 1268587

Do you have a thermostat?

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Thank you. I'm impressed with myself, though I love building things. We had a lot of fun with this.

I can open the gaps back up. I covered them with insulation so heat couldn't escape. We finally got it to a high 99 with the 125 brooder bulb and it stayed consistent for 5 straight hours, still holding strong. Hopefully we got it right.

Best of luck!