those water heater thermostats . . .

[chickenwhisperer]

How reliable are they?

 

[chickenwhisperer]

I see lotsa threads where ppl have used these things in their diy bators, but how do folks like them after a year or 2 of use?

a- extremely satisfied
b- satisfied
c- unsatisified
d- extremely unsatisfied


I just made a bator tonight, and used a wh stat.
Hope it works . . .

 

[aprophet]

I just started playing with them this week . I attatched a rather large aluminum heat sink ( about 12"X16"X 1/8") to the one I am testing hoping that will cut down on the large tempature swing most complain about . Instead of the small area of the WH t-stat sensing the air temp the large piece of ally will help out I am hoping just a few random thoughts will be reporting back in a week or two HTH

 

[JCoogle]

I have only been running mine for a couple months but I have not ahd any problems. By my digital thermometer I hold betwiin 97-102 degrees. I have had close to 100 eggs threw my bator and had over a 90% hatch rate.

 

[al6517]

I have been using mine for well over 2 years no problems yet, the temps are stable. The big deal with temp swings is as soon as it begins people assume it's the Thermostat, when in fact their DIY bator building skills are lacking, and that is where folks need to look first. I am not reccomending one over the other, just to mention to build the incubator well first, the main problem I see is folks never insulate to protect temps & Humidity. Just sayin.

AL

 

[pascopol]

I would never use water heater thermostat, due to it's wide temperature swings, it was designed

to cycle temperature of water heater where 10 or more degree temperature degree swings are acceptable and normal.

Why bother and struggle with it when for about 10$ more you can get reliable and accurate thermostat controlling your/s bator temperature within .5 degree.

If water heater thermostats were suitable for hatching don,t you think incubator manufacturers would use them saving tons of money?

Sure, some would argue that it works for them and claiming good hatches, just like some people will hatch chicks in cardboard box with a light bulb.

 

[prncssprplfrog]

Okay Pascopol,
What kind of thermostat are you talking about? I had though about the plausibility of room temp controlling thermostats.... you can even buy those in Wal-mart, but they aren't cheap.

I followed someone's directions on here to drill holes in the plastic casing of my thermostat to increase the area the air gets into the body of the thermostat. Not quite sure how much of a difference it made.

 

[jimma207]

I have used both, and it is a suitable short-term substitute and does work. I got it down to a range of 99-101, and the wiggler even better. Anyone that wants to have a good hatch, shouldnt waist their efforts. Its worth 15 dollars more to get a wafer. Once I used the wafer, the temps stay right where you set it. just my 2c.

 

[raimnel]

This is my first time hatching anything. I'm using a WH stat. It does range 97 - 102, however the middle temp is 99.5. would not your egg stay at 99.5?

I do not have a watter wiggler so I have not a clue. but I can tell you that I see development in the eggs when candled.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
It is thermostat with the probe so you can insert it into bator and have control outside, very accutare and reliable, I am ordering another one for another bator, since the first one has proved itself.

http://www.bestpetsuppliesguide.com/zoo-med-reptitemp-500r-thermostat-for-reptiles/

If you search you may perhaps buy it a few bucks cheaper.