why is my wafer thermostat so screwy?

[patandchickens]

I have done my level best, and even invented some new vocabulary words, to try to get the wafer screwed tight and square onto the, uh, shaft thingamajig that it is mounted on. And yet, no matter what I do, it is (or quickly becomes) slightly cockeyed on the shaft, so that turning the shaft to try to adjust temp up or down has an unpredictable effect. That is, with the wafer slightly cockeyed, turning it in the "tighter" direction has the effect of bringing it *further* from the switch for about half the revolution; and vice versa.

If I could just get the thing set right and then never have to touch it again for the whole 3 weeks, I could deal with it; but (dunno if this is normal or just my homemade rig) I have to adjust things periodically, especially as the chicks get large in the eggs and then I stop opening/turning and run the humidity up.

I have had turrible trouble with this my first two hatches, last year; and in trying to stabilize the stupid thing to try a test hatch now, it is just driving me BONKERS.

What am I doing wrong, or is this just how wafer thermostats are? (I know I *could* pop $70 for an electronic thermostat, but I am not going to

)

Thanks for all suggestions,

Pat

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Sounds like you may just need to get a replacement wafer. They aren't all that expensive. May be that the threads on the adjuster screw is messed up too. Sorry you're having so much trouble!!

 

[patandchickens]

I have tried my spare wafer in it, and the same thing happens. It's not the wafer *itself* that's screwy, it's that it is not held quite vertical if you know what I mean?

Had not really thought about the adjustment screw being maybe 'off'... not sure what to do about that other than order a whole new thermostat assembly which is not a real appealing thought. But, hm, maybe I will go down and take a closer look with that in mind...

Pat

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Go to a local hardware store and see if they have any the same size. I've never had to replace mine, but I think they are a pretty standard size screw.