Water heater thermostat not working out.

[ramhatch]

I got a brand new water heater thermostat and drilled the three holes in the cover just like the other thread said and the best i can get it to do is turn on at 98 and off at 103.

I had a 125 watt flood bulb and a 60 watt regular bulb, then went to just the 60 watt bulb. Ive moved the thermo below and above the light and still the same. The bator is a small 2ft by 2ft chest type freezer. Any suggestions

 

[ParadisePoultry]

I would seriously get a wafer thermostat. They are designed for incubators and are much better than the water heater ones. I tried that route, and after much frustration and trips to the hardware store, I finally ordered a wafer from Cutler. It works like a charm. My bator is 17 x 17 x 30. I have a heater from an old styrofoam bator on the bottom and a 120 watt halogen on top. both are tied into the wafer. It goes on at 99.4 and off at 99.8. Zero problems, zero frustation--priceless.