Temp swing in homemade bator. Any tips?

[savila009]

I have about a 5 degree temp swing in my homemade bator.
Anyone have any tips on getting it leveled out??

Anything is appreciated!!

 

[Sportsterjeep]

whatcha using for a thermostat?

 

[savila009]

A water heater thermostat from home depot. I believe its a lower thermo.

 

[Sportsterjeep]

ok, standby while i find the page on the mod for ya.

 

[Sportsterjeep]

Ok, check this link. https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=26580-thermostat-modification
It works pretty well in mine, and I'm using a pepsi cooler from a store. 4 vent holes in the top, 4 in the bottom, all 3/4" holes, and none of them plugged. Two GQF heating elements in the top, and the fan from the cooler to circulate air. After the bator comes up to temp it takes about an hour to completely get the thing to stay at a constant temp. It'll come up to temp in about 10 minutes, but it takes a bit to get everything in it to 99 because of the thermal heat exchange. Try that mod, plug it in, walk away for an hour, then come back and reset your High/Low on the digital thermometer($10 at wally world) and see if that'll run you closer to what you want.

 

[Sportsterjeep]

Oh yeah, and i didn't tear mine apart, just used the diagram to drill the holes from the front of the thermo.

 

[savila009]

Thanks ill give it a go!!