Hovabator 1583, how do you working this fricking wafer temp thing!?

[cluckcluck42]

Does anyone know!?

The instructions we got with it were pretty brief, and I this is my very first hatch. I've done a lot of reading and have been trying to figure this incubator out, but I just have no idea whats with this wafer dealy? I've been reading over and over again how awesome the 1588's are, and here I am with by $159.95 Hova Bator 1583 from the local feed store. It was supposed to be a Christmas present from my folks, but the store ordered us an EGG TURNER instead. *sigh* And no, I was not given the egg turner as well, its been returned. I see deals online for both for the same price I paid for just the incubator! Eeek!!

Help!!!

P.S Are you supposed to start with water in the bator while its revvin' up for the eggs? Or add warm water with the eggs?

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

do you have one waffer or 2, or a blue recangle with white switches? do you have a 1588 or 1583 they are different, the 1588 is the good easy one

 

[cluckcluck42]

Two wafers stuck together.

BUT It's at 100F now so I think I figured it out, I don't think I was increasing the temp the right way. Or something?

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

you have a screw on the top, has your light started blinking, when it starts to blink you have reach the temp its set to, whan it blinks wait 15 min take temp, if low/high turn a 1/4 turn wait take temp again, when you get the temp you want wait a few hours take temp again if its good wait 24 hours still good your ready to go

 

[Happy Chooks]

Mine is the 1602N, so I'm not sure if they are the same, but you should have a L shaped bar on the outside that adjusts the temp. You turn counter clockwise to increase temperature and clockwise to decrease. It takes a VERY, VERY small turn to affect temperature, so make a very small adjustment then don't make any more for at least 4 hours. It takes a while to stabilize after you make the adjustment.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Well I turned that knobby thing a bunch and now its at 100F and the light is off. I think all is well?? Now I just wait to make sure it stabilizes like this?

When does the water go in? With the eggs??

 

[dbcooper02]

Gosh that thing is only $98 plus shipping direct from GQF. The feed store made some $ on that deal.

The 1583 instruction sheet has very badly written. misleading wafer set-up instructions.

Setting up the wafer thermostat is really pretty easy. With the wafer installed on the end of the adjusting screw plug the incubator in. Turning the screw counterclockwise will cause the light (and heating element) to come on. Turn the adjusting screw clockwise until the light just clicks off, then turn it back out about 4 full turns. Now leave it alone for a while until the temperature stabilizes. Further adjustments are easy. Clockwise lowers the temp and counterclockwise raises it. Make small adjustments and let it stabilize before adjusting further. When you have the temperature where you want it tighten the wingnut on the adjuster to lock it in place.

I would do the set-up with water in the center trough.
hth, db

 

[dovecanyon]

I think you should set up and stabilize with the water. It's better to get the humidity adjusted before you put in the eggs! Why make yourself crazy twice when you can do it all at once?

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
I KNOW! Once I saw the price of hovabators online after I bought this one I thought of returning it but the old guy at the feed store didn't give me a receipt and I've had eggs waiting for some time now and they are going to be wasted if I order online.

What can ya do?

Thanks so much. The problem was we didnt screw it in well enough then we did the four turns but it was loose. Hubby was sure it was fine and it just needed longer to get the temps up. We didn't know! The instructions were very not helpful. Very flashy though, lots of nice pics and fancy writing.

Should I put the water in now or when I put the eggs in?

 

[cluckcluck42]

Quote:
Thank ya, will do!!