What went wrong?

[FarmerMac]

I need to stop at the pet store on my way home from work. I'm going to check out their reptile thermometer/hygrometers. Wondering if they might have heating elements. If they do, can you tell me what specifications I would need to pay attention to?

The heat element in my incubator does not have any numbers on it. I saw that some Styrofoam incubator have replacement part rated at 25W other at 40W heat elements. I just thought that 100w would be good to go since most people use two light bulbs in their DIY incubators.
I did a Google search for heat element images and found one that looks like the one I have. If they sale heat elemetns at the pet store most likely they will be for 110V AC, the ones from overseas have options for 110v AC, 220V AC and saw some for 12V DC like the ones for your car batteries to keep them from freezing.

 

[El michoacano]

Cuz I had it at temperature at 37.6 but it goes down to 37.00and then goes back to37.6 and sometimes jumps to 37.7 so it's crazy you know and my humidity was 50-55 but it says in the instructions tha came with the incubator..I berly but a new thermometer to check my temperature and humidity cuz I am scare cuz I have another batch of eggs like 40 of them. At what temperature you guys have it....thanks for the advice friends

 

[Bradfordj]

Yes eggs need to be turned, you can find a lot of information from a google search. At least three times a day, the auto turners turn them every couple hours. If manually turning, turn them and odd number of times a day so that they don't spend every night on the same side.

 

[WVduckchick]

No heating elements at that pet store, but alot of reptile and bird stuff. Heat lamps, thermo/hygro's, but most didn't look any better than what I have, except one that was $37! Held off on buying that one for now. We'll see how this batch of ducks turn out first. I'll probably just have to order a heating element online.

@El michoacano the temperature reading on the unit will go up and down as the heater kicks on and off. No need to be alarmed. But in my case, I changed the setting to 38.1 instead of 37.6, so it would go up and down, but be more around 37.6 average. Maybe you can just let this set stay as it is, and if you have a late hatch, bump it up next time. Low temps and high humidity seem to cause later hatches. Your humidity depends alot on where you live and your own local humidity. If you live in a humid area, 50-55 may be too high for the days before lockdown. But if you are in a dry area, it might work. You may have to do a few tests before you get it right.

 

[El michoacano]

I live in Los Angeles so I don't know the humidity at here cuz it changes alot you know we have the best weather so I goggle it and it says that to try it around 45-50 my humidity ..so it doesn't mater if my temperature goes up and down...Thanks WVDUCKCHICK

 

[casportpony]

I live in Los Angeles so I don't know the humidity at here cuz it changes alot you know we have the best weather so I goggle it and it says that to try it around 45-50 my humidity ..so it doesn't mater if my temperature goes up and down...Thanks WVDUCKCHICK

What part of LA are you? Humidity in Burbank is only 19% right now:

Picture:


Go to this link and find a weather station near you:
http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/US/CA/Los_Angeles.html

-Kathy

 

[El michoacano]

I live in boyleheights

 

[casportpony]

I live in boyleheights

Picture above from:http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/US/CA/Boyle_Heights.html

-Kathy

 

[farnorth]

The heat element in my incubator does not have any numbers on it. I saw that some Styrofoam incubator have replacement part rated at 25W other at 40W heat elements. I just thought that 100w would be good to go since most people use two light bulbs in their DIY incubators.
I did a Google search for heat element images and found one that looks like the one I have. If they sale heat elemetns at the pet store most likely they will be for 110V AC, the ones from overseas have options for 110v AC, 220V AC and saw some for 12V DC like the ones for your car batteries to keep them from freezing.

When my heat element failed it was on my first time using it and the ebay seller sent me a replacement heat element.

If yours is like mine it is 80W. The element on ebay that is 100W for $4.99 is larger in size so may take some tinkering to mount it in the incubator. I don't think the additional 20W will hurt. I am thinking of ordering one myself for a backup. Even though I managed to get the failed on working again by taking it apart and cleaning the surfaces. It appeared corroded.

 

[FarmerMac]

Well, I received the heat element I had rodered from eBay. It took about a week to get it. Here is a picture of it , it is the one with the black and red wires. I placed it in the heat element bracket wiht a a problem, just had to push it it a little..





I had to remove the plastic grid covering the fan, removed the fan and loosen the heat element bracket. The heat element is hel in place by two small screws that have a nut each in the back of the metal plate. I cut the wires from the old element and attached the new wires. I placed everything back and it workes again. Hind sight, I wish I had taken more pictures when I did it.