What is the best Hydromeater and thermometer combo and where can you find it

[Chicklove101]

What is the best Hydrometer and thermometer combo digital for my incubator and where can you find them? And can you take a computer fan and put it in your incubator and have it work like a forced air kit?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Caliber III Around $15 EBay

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, you can buy a 80mm computer fan on EBay for around $4 or at most computer repair stores. Use a power inverter from an old cell phone, although they are normally 5 volt output. That drives these fans pretty slowly. Look at a thrift store or similar for one around 9.6 volt output. Perfect.

The fan is only 12 volt so a 12volt output power inverter from any appliance will work but it is noisy fast. That's the max, 12 volt.

Many people have a junk box full of these inverters. Snip the end off. Don't need that. Strip back the wires. You only need the red and black. The yellow, if supplied, is not used. That's for speed control on computers. Twist wires and black tape, done.



Snip a 5/16 fuel line or aquarium air line or similar, whatever you have. Make 3/4 inch long pieces. This will provide a stand off spacer for the fan. Install the fan blowing up, toward the lid. You can anchor the screws into styrofoam if you Gorilla glue in these plastic wall anchors and allow to dry over night.

 

[Chicklove101]

Do you need a cord like that goes down in the incubator?

 

[Chicklove101]

Thank you @fread's heans

 

[Fred's Hens]

I
Any of these will work. Just be sure to read the OUTPUT volts. You want from 5 volts to 12 volts, with 9 ish being the best for speed.

I put my Caliber III inside and view it through the glass. I've never found a probe type unit worth very much. Shrug.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Looks like Fred's Hens has given you some great ideas! You might also stop by our learning center here on BYC for some great hatching tips as well....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-incubate-hatch-eggs-just-21-days-from-egg-to-chicken

Here is a link to our home made incubators as well that might give you more ideas...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-egg-incubator-designs-pictures

Great to have you aboard and good luck with your hatching!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[gander007]