Tweeking temp in new incubator

[gessieviolet]

I just finished my incubator and am trying to adjust the temp. Have fan and thermo (used water heater type like shown in some of incutators in forum). I can not seem to get adjustment to hold. Light will go out when therm in wiggler shows 99.5 but cools down to about 97.5 to 98 before coming back on. I try a slight adj and end up with temp in wiggler 100+ before heat light goes out. I am so frustrated I am tempted to just give up--but I have a few test eggs due in this week.

 

[skeeter]

it has something to do with the size of the bator and the wattage of the lightbulb,but as long as the fluctuations are no more than that should be fine,I just built one and hatched out chicks a couple days ago,the temps will probally stabilize a little more when you get eggs in and you may have to play the adjusting game again.after I candled and took out the unfurtalized eggs the temp swung again so i put a mayonaise jar full off (warm about 100 degree) water in the bater to stop the flucuations,make sure the lids on tight and laying down or secured well
also i made sure my thermostat and light bulb were very secure if the can move it will not read accuratly,good luck and dont quit,the end result is well worth it,
this has been good theropy for the winter blues

 

[speckledhen]

The water heater thermostats have a larger swing than the wafer thermostats. I tried one, but then went back to a regular wafer type in my homemade hatcher. It's easier to tweak it into a tighter range, IMO.

 

[seminolewind]

When I can't get the tweak quite right, or when there is fluctuation, I add a lamp with a 60 watt bulb, and tweak with that. It also helps stabilize the temp around the outside of the bator.