Troubles with Brower TH120 incubator

[Nathan]

My last hatch was pretty much nonexistant.

Last month, I had trouble with a TH120 incubator holding temperature. On day 15 of incubation, temperature dropped to 92 and did not get any higher. The controls became completely unresponsive, and the light would not come on regardless of the temperature or the adjustment.

I transferred the bowl to another TH120 base, where the turner was broken and the thermostat was presumably okay. However, nothing hatched.

I purchase a replacement part EC500 from Cutler Supply. I went through a rather painstaking process to replace it and connect all the wires. I plugged in the incubator to run for 12 hours. This morning the temperature was a bit low and I attempted to turn it up. However, the controls did not respond. The light turned off and would not come on regardless of the temperature control or the temperature.

I've reported this to Brower, but it's not under warranty anymore, so I'm only hoping for advice.

Does anyone have any more ideas? What is wrong besides the thermostat? Or what is wrong that keeps breaking the thermostat?

I was hoping to have it ready for eggs within a few days.

At this point, I am rather dissapointed with the Brower Incubator, and wished I'd spent the money for the replacement thermostat on a competitor's product instead. I probably do want to switch incubator models, but don't have budget for it right now.

 

[kbbeale]

Is this the top hatch model? I have that one and I have had good hatches with it in the past, but it does take some work to keep the temps stable. There are some people that make covers for them to help insulate them better - I know I have seem them on this website.

However, it sounds to me that you have a thermostat issue(s).....I would contact Brower and see what they could do to help.

 

[jimnjay]

It sound like the dial is not making contact, I hope you did not dispose of the parts you took out. I really can't help but it sound like the dial/switch is not making contact. Is there any way to get to that part. I don't even remember how that was set up. I used my Brower TH120 with great results. Perhaps if you call Brower, the guys are great there in technical support and ask them how to get to the part that connects the dial with the acutal thermostate. Sorry you are having this problem.

You can keep your eggs going in an electric skillet for a while. Put down a layer of sand if you can get it or even corn meal and set it on the lowest possible setting or even just where it will turn on. Place a custard cup of water in there with it and that will keep things going for a while.