Wafer thermostat in little giant

Th55

Chirping
Jun 24, 2018
61
80
96
Camden, Arkansas
Wondering if anyone has ever replaced the little giant knob thermostat with a wafer type as in the Hovabator?
My concern is with the difference in wattage of the heating element, I would presume since the LG has a 40 Watt heating element it most likely would swing the temperature much more that it does in the Hova Bator with the 25 watt element.
 
I’ve read a lot that the LG (knob type) was notorious for failing and cooking hatch. For redundancy I had installed a brooder temp controller on the incubator with the off set point at 103 so if it did fail “ON” I might could save the hatch. Early in the incubation the thermostat did just that. So for 4-6 hours it swung temp from a max of 105-97.
It is a used bater but has worked fine the last 2 hatches. I had a second LG incubator set up, stable & running as I have some eggs set to arrive in a couple days, so swapped over the tops and it has been steady since.

So am looking to find another type /style that might be more reliable. I know being mechanical the wafer is not as consistent but was looking more for a dependable option.

Played with another temp controller on hand but it’s minimum differential is 2deg. It’s over/undershoot is too much for me.
 
You'll find lots of food for thought in the first page of the following thread.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...thread-w-sally-sunshine-shipped-eggs.1137467/
I don't think the difference in wattage would have much impact on its effectiveness.
I've had lots of embryos executed in a LG. I refuse to use one unless absolutely necessary and then only for a day or two.
Check out a stc1000. It is quite reliable.
Don't get overwhelmed by the wiring diagram in the following link. It is for both heating and cooling for a brewing system.
You don't need all that to wire the LG.
https://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/wordpress/stc1000-temperature-controller-a-beginners-guide/

https://www.ebay.com/b/STC-PLC-Temperature-Modules/181723/bn_27535887

Another idea would be a 12 or 24 volt dc system. That way you could run it if you have a power outage.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/STC-3000-D...002545?hash=item5d8e28e231:g:OaMAAOSw7wddLLEv

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-24V-PTC...hash=item283a20f6b5:m:mR23yONUgDYAAqdPWZI6QNQ
That way you'll also make it a forced air unit.
 
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Wow, thanks that’s a powerful thread. Can’t believe a ain’t run across it before.

I actually bought that stc 1000 and might be what I go with. Was trying to clean it up and not have it it looking like a time traveling Delorean

I really do like that 12 volt controller/heater/fan option you showed as we do have semi regular power outages. It would be easy to set up.

Thanks again
 

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