Temperature fluctuation in incubator??

[thebirdguy]

I'm finishing up my homemade incubator and test running it in preparation for the Chinese New Years Day hatch. Now that I have the trays in, it seems like I have some thermal banding... I have a good sized fan blowing horizontally at the top of the incubator and my heat sources are all at the top. I have the temperature probe for the thermostat inside of a small water wiggler.

Will it matter if there is a little more temperature fluctuation at the bottom of the incubator compared to at the top?

Would there be a problem if I had the fan blowing straight down or would that affect the eggs right below it too much?

Where in the incubator would be the best place for my wiggler?

Thanks!!

 

[debilorrah]

I really don't know much about incubators other than my own, the Brinsea. However, I DO know that the temp and humidity changes once the eggs are added. Maybe experiment with some eggs from the store to get your adjustments right.

 

[enggass]

Isn't the routine to get your bator running and temps set where you want them, get the eggs to room temp, set the eggs in the bator and then do not make any adjustments for +/- 2 hrs giving your bator time to adjust to the eggs being added?

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
Pretty much.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
I have found that it can take anywhere from 8-12 hours for temps and humidity to settle down. I also have found, for me, trying to adjust the temp and hunidity before setting the eggs is only frustating.

 

[thebirdguy]

I'll be setting my first batch of eggs next Wednesday--probably just 3 dozen to start out with so I won't worry too much about my temp fluctuation right now.. I did put a couple of big ceramic tiles in the bottom of the bator to use as heat sinks which should help out a little..

Should I keep my fan blowing horizontally or move it to blow down on the eggs?

 

[boxleyjoe]

I wouldn't have the fan blowing on the eggs. Thats just my common sense. Maybe put in something to deflect the air. Maybe it will help circulation in the incubator.