brinsea polyhatch

[Mark1985]

ive been given a brinsea polyhatch on loan by a mates parents who live on a farm and their hens are getting a bit past it and so they have asked me to hatch them a few as they dont have time themselves. the incubator has seen better days and will likely need some repairs (the turning moter for example does not work). the heating element is a little chewed looking, probobly mice, but the incubator heats up quickly.

couple of questions if anyone can answer...

the red light above the dial that comes on when its plugged in started blinking when the incubator had been switched on for about 10 mins, what does this mean?

the dial has no numbers so how do i know where to set it at? the thermometer that was with the incubator does not appear to work, so il get a new one.

 

[Marigold]

If you got a new proper incubator thermometer, you could begin to test the temperature by running the incubator (without any eggs in of course) and notice where you have to set the dial to get the temperature you wanted, and then mark this point. Then see if it will hold the temperature steady throughout several nights as well as days, ie will it cope with variations in ambient temperature. Then try to reduce the temperature by one degree, and increase it by one degree, using the same method and marking where to set the dial in each case.
You could of course turn the eggs by hand but this would be quite a laborious tie, several times a day for 3 weeks. Is the motor mendable or could you replace it?
Is there a humidity gauge? If not you could perhaps buy a hygrometer to use in the inci to give you a good idea.
When was the last time the owners used it? Can they remember anything about its little ways?

 

[Mark1985]

i did try to take apart the moter but its sealed shut so i cant get into to moter itsself to tinker with it. when pluged in the moter makes noise but the arm that slides the tray from side to side does not move. ive seen the moters on ebay or direct from the manufacturer but they arent exactly pennies to buy. manual turning though a pain, isnt to much bother for me really. all that needs doing is tilting the incubator on a slight angle, then tilting it to the same angle on the oposite side, ive found this very efective with the small cuvatutto6 that i have. its the same effect as the 'octagon' incubators with the turning cradle.
having read a few reviews, as long as the eggs are fresh and the incubator full, it holds enough humidity for the duration of incuation till hatching, when some damp paper towels can be added to increase humidity if needed, though there are water troughs in the bottom of the incubator

 

[Marigold]

Is this a still-air or a fan-driven model? If still-air at least that's one less thing to go wrong. So just test the temperature and give it a go? At least, if they are providing the eggs and the inci, if it doesn't work out you won't be any worse off. Keep us posted about progress!

 

[Chuck]

As Marigold says, run it as long as needs be on test. and make adjustments. One of the little digital gadgets for reading temp and humidity will be a great help.

 

[Jaqs]

I have one of these I check temp by placing thermometer on top of the eggs as the one supplied is very high up compared to the top of the eggs. to set the temp just set up with a few eggs (any will do) and check until happy.