My DIY Incubator Light?

[lemondsm]

Okay, so last year I built my own incubator using a styrofoam cooler, water heater thermostat and lightbulb from some of the plans here on BYC. I have only run it twice. The first time I had 4 eggs and one hatched. The second time I had around 12 eggs and 4 hatched. Although, during this hatch we moved over an hour away. So, I believe that affected some of my hatch. It has been almost a year since then and I just dug the incubator out of the garage and cleaned it up.

My question is for those of you out there that have DIY incubators. The last time I ran my DIY incubator I remember the light staying on for several minutes and then shutting off. My temperatures were all over the place.

This time I set the thermostat at an angle away form the wall and moved the fan to achieve better circulation. Although, my light seems to come on for maybe 15 seconds and then turns off. Then it shuts off for 30 seconds or so then back on. My temp seem to be very level this time which is great but I am wondering if this will blow the bulb? I remember parents always telling me to quit turning the lights on and off or I would blow the light. My fear is that this will cause my bulb to go out and especially if it happens during the night when I am not keeping an eye on it. Can some of you share your thoughts? Is it okay? Also, what should the humidity be in the beginning?

Thank you all in advance!

 

[DMRippy]

Same setup with my hatcher and on hatch day it started to cycle a lot and fast. So this time when I fired it up on day two BOTH bulbs blew and it got to 82 but all seems well I had 10/14 pipping when I last looked and today is day 21. I also had the incubator turned off overnight and a bulb blow in the incubator too!!!

My next hatch is going to have special eggs so NEW BULBS all around!

 

[lemondsm]

Donna, you built your incubator with two lights? My temps seem to be very level this time but the bulb continues to turn on and off. Hopefully, it makes through my hatch. Do you have any pictures of your incubator? How did your hatch turn out?

Thank you,

Matt

 

[quintinp]

I always replace the lights after a hatch, prevents the stress of worrying for me. I have a cooler incubator, which is on my page, and it has worked really well. I might put up a video about how I built it. I only have ONE light in my cooler incubator, and have never had the problem of a bulb blowing out.

 

[lemondsm]

Does yours turn on and off frequently for short bursts?

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
that means that the temp is staying more stable... on longer means it's having to 'catch up' with the thermostat. so on briefly and off for a bit is fine. if it stayed on more than a minute i would worry... and if you worry about the light bulb on/off so much, buy a pack and keep em near the 'bator... change it out weekly if you want. LOL

I would say after this hatch, put a new bulb in it and let it go. (note the date/time) and see how long it runs before the bulb blows. do that for a couple bulbs that will give you an idea of the bulb life when cycling.

and as for Donna (DMRippy), she's a hatchaholic and probably has room to put all of yours and my eggs together in one 'bator.

I'll be setting close to 70 eggs, either tomorrow evening or sometime saturday (depending on the USPS), for an incubator that'll hold 42 in the turner...

I keep repeating the phrase "chicken math. it's chicken math. it'll work."

 

[lemondsm]

Thank you. That makes me feel much better.