Thermostat question!

[xochi16]

Hello all! We are looking into getting a better thermostat for our homemade incubator. We actually just used a dimmer switch this last time and had 29 of 31 eggs hatch. But for piece of mind would prefer a thermostat. We had looked at a reptile one at the pet store similar to this:
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...-timers/-/zoo-med-500r-thermostat-with-probe/

Just wondering if this would work? Or if a wafer thermostat would be more consistent. Thank you!

 

[Bill 101]

If I had a DIMMER SWITCH that I was able to hatch 29 out of 31 eggs, I'd definitely keep doing what I was doing.

 

[quail98]

I'd go to eBay or incubator warehouse and get there thermostat its digital and has a probe and is amazing temp only go's up and down .5 degree

Incubator warehouse makes it and its only 49.99
U can get the kit with the heating element and fan for 99.99 that's what i have and love it good hatches right on time every time

 

[xochi16]

If I had  a DIMMER SWITCH that I was able to hatch 29 out of 31 eggs, I'd definitely keep doing what I was doing. 

I think it was perhaps a fluke. We managed to get the temp right at 99-100. But it did flux if the house was colder/hotter. We just thought something precise would be better. But the dimmer switch did great! 100W light bulb. In a large cooler turned forced air incubator

 

[quail98]

But bill 101 makes a good point 29 outa 31 is awesome

 

[xochi16]

But bill 101 makes a good point 29 outa 31 is awesome

Haha this is true! We thought about trying the reptile thermostat in another incubator we are assembling for turkey hatching eggs. Just wanted an opinion. But we may try the dimmer in it also!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I find the wafer very dependable. It requires a thermometer and you to adjust like you did with a dimmer but once set stays steady. But then my only experiences are with the LG electronic thermostat and a wafer. The wafer was far superior.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wafer-Therm...789?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f15df2f2d

Just looked at what Quail99 was talking about and it looks really snazzy. Would be the Cadillac of coolerbators. Of course it would merit an Igloo or Coleman conversion not mere styrofoam.

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/48-watt-incukit-dc.html

The more look at this 48 watt kit the more I like it. All inclusive with fan, heat element, thermostat and temp probe. Factory preset to 99.5F. I'm kinda drooling over it now. Oh well, sticking with my Hovabator as the kids love the picture window at hatch time.

 

[Bill 101]

You used a 100 watt light bulb, but the dimmer switch controls the amount of electrical current to the bulb, The light is not putting out as much light as it would hooked directly to a plug (without the dimmer switch). That will do 2 things, control the amount of heat generated by the bulb & the bulb will last longer because it runs cooler than it normally would.
The Reptile Thermostat is basically the same thing as your dimmer switch. One is electronic (Reptile Therm) & the other is mechanical (Dimmer switch). I'm not sure how the Reptile Thermostat operates. It may turn the light on & off, so you may have more fluctuation than the dimmer switch, which keeps an even flow of current to the bulb.

 

[quail98]

Yea i saw the desk top incukit to but i got a side by side up right huge fridge turned into a incubator on one side and hatcher on other and the 225 watt incukit keeps both sides to temp no prob i love it lol

 

[red golden]

I have the incukit in my cabinet bator and i use the thermostat in my hatcher. I have to say both do their jobs well so far.