DIY Incubator help!!

[ollyclarkson]

Hi!

I've built an incubator with two 60w bulbs and a gqf wafer thermostat - just tried it and the thermostat isn't turning off the bulbs, they just flicker and dim a bit when the wafer presses the switch.

I'm confident I have it wired right, what have I done wrong? Have I fried the thermostat by using two 60w bulbs?? It smelled a bit funny at first when it tried to turn off the bulbs? Any ideas? I have some eggs arriving at the end of the week so need to fix it ASAP!

Thanks,

Olly

 

[Marigold]

Hi Olly, could you give some more information about the design of your incubator please, and preferably post a photo?
Eg, where are the bulbs situated relative to the eggs, what will the eggs sit on, what sort of box is it in, and how is it insulated?
Also, what provision is there for controlling humidity as well as temperature, and what kind of thermometer are you using?
Even if using a new, commercially made incubator, it's a good idea to run it for a day or two to throughly test the settings, and to warm it up, before adding any eggs. So, if you try adding eggs before you've sorted all the potential problems, you may not get the best results.
Do let us know how you get on.

 

[rick]

These are really good http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00BVYCZ84/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?qid=1421391732&sr=8-12&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
It sounds like the wafer wasn't up to the job, for a lower voltage maybe.
In a fix it is possible to regulate temp pretty finely with a bulb and manual dimmer if the container is insulated in a centrally heated room. I've made rice koji that way but obviously its not ideal and requires regular attention.
120W sounds like a lot.