Updating an old GQF 1402 cabinet incubator

[WalnutHill]

There are four types of protection.

Surge protectors protect a device from high energy jolts coming down the power lines by blowing out sacrificial components.

Arc fault interrupts protect the home electrical system from a short circuit by shutting down the power if a sustained increase in power on the line occurs between line and line, line and neutral, or line and ground.

Ground fault interrupts protect users from short circuits by measuring the difference in voltage from line to ground and shutting down the power if the ground fails.

Fuses simply melt the conductive strip if the current draw is too high. They are simple, yet add a good deal of protection from house fires.

In this case, I'd use a 3A slow blow or a 5A normal fuse for the proper level of protection.

 

[stryker]

 

[WalnutHill]

It's wired and running. I still need to refinish and install some screws, and weatherstrip the door and back panel. Wiring is complete, the thermostat pilot light works (yay!) and it's heating up. The new 10 turn thermostat even has a knob, I will have to protect it from accidental turning as it turns so easily.

It's up to about 95F and I will calibrate once it is warmed up. I am waiting for the turner to cycle so I can test the clock wiring and indicator light.

 

[WVduckchick]

Excellent!

 

[WalnutHill]

I need to figure out why the turner indicator doesn't work but otherwise it looks like it passes. The new thermostat is 1/4 turn = 0.1 degree so it has a higher degree of precision than my spot check.

Neither light worked before and the turner wiring was chopped up when I got it so I'm not surprised I have that issue.

 

[WalnutHill]

Found the wiring issue and resolved it. Turner and indicator work now. I straightened all the bent pieces so there is no slop in the turner mechanism any more, it is much quieter.

I have a roll of weatherstripping on the way so I will be able to finish assembly before the weekend.

 

[stryker]

Are you planning on incubating after you get it going?

 

[WalnutHill]

I won't set any eggs until late winter or early spring as it's too cold to brood over the winter here. I don't have a brooder house. It is really tempting, though...

 

[stryker]

It is tempting as well but I don't have a brooder house either. I have 2 chicks that are a couple of weeks old but they are under a hen and am hoping the weather holds out for a couple of more weeks. I had a friend who hatched eggs in those little giant incubators in February and all except 2 hatched. I didnt think that any would hatch because the eggs were almost frozen by the time I collected them for her.

 

[WalnutHill]

I have successfully hatched eggs that WERE frozen when collected. The poults did seem to be stickier and had a hard time absorbing the yolk before hatch. Those that were successful, though, did fine.