I'm not certain if this was a commercially made cabinet incubator, that has had some "Redneck Engineering" performed upon it, or if it was a fairly well made, home made cabinet incubator. But, I'm just not familiar with all of the parts, and don't know where to start.
I got it home, as a gift, and first things first, the thing had to be de-bugged. It had ants and red wasps and spiders of all sorts in it. So, a thorough dousing with permethrin, and a couple of days to air out, before I even attempt to repair it, and I expect that to be a week long project. So, I don't think the permethrin, will be an issue for the eggs, by the time this thing is operational.
This incubator, has been sitting outside, in all kinds of weather, for at least two years, likely much longer, from the looks of it. Supposedly, it was operational, just 2 years ago. I doubt that, but that's what I was told.
I have electronics ability. I've been a ham radio guy for 25 years, but I'm not real "hands on", more of an appliance operator. I want things that just work. But, I'm poor, so reality forces me to fix things.
The heater element is an open coiled wire, connected directly to 117VAC. NOT GOOD. The fan, looks like it's got a 50/50 shot of working. It's the thermostat, sensors and egg Turner mechanism, that have me stumped.
Here are the initial photos. If anyone offering advice wants better photos, of something in particular, please let me know, and I'll get them. I need to incubate, but, I can't afford a real commercial incubator, so, I need to make this one work.
I got it home, as a gift, and first things first, the thing had to be de-bugged. It had ants and red wasps and spiders of all sorts in it. So, a thorough dousing with permethrin, and a couple of days to air out, before I even attempt to repair it, and I expect that to be a week long project. So, I don't think the permethrin, will be an issue for the eggs, by the time this thing is operational.
This incubator, has been sitting outside, in all kinds of weather, for at least two years, likely much longer, from the looks of it. Supposedly, it was operational, just 2 years ago. I doubt that, but that's what I was told.
I have electronics ability. I've been a ham radio guy for 25 years, but I'm not real "hands on", more of an appliance operator. I want things that just work. But, I'm poor, so reality forces me to fix things.
The heater element is an open coiled wire, connected directly to 117VAC. NOT GOOD. The fan, looks like it's got a 50/50 shot of working. It's the thermostat, sensors and egg Turner mechanism, that have me stumped.
Here are the initial photos. If anyone offering advice wants better photos, of something in particular, please let me know, and I'll get them. I need to incubate, but, I can't afford a real commercial incubator, so, I need to make this one work.
