safe distance between lightbulb / eggs

[marinica]

almost finished my autoturning incubator, and now i'm now sure if i did something right.

http://imgur.com/rSivgBB

light bulb is a phillips 100w infrared. distance between it and eggs is 2 cm. it should be higher (how much) or is ok ? of course i will add a vent near to. incubator hold ~70 eggs. should i use a lower w eventually? this is the smallest infrared bulb i found.
thanks !

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'd say 2cm is way too close. You'll have some cooking and some not getting enough heat. The heat source should be as far from the eggs as possible to prevent that problem.
Also, infrared isn't the best choice because it heats what it is aimed at. Incandescent or halogen are better choices.
The best bet is a metallic element that won't be affected by constant cycling that will shorten the life of a lamp.

Like these. I use the first 2.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-watt-co...592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d03f063a8

http://www.ebay.com/itm/125-Watt-Ca...912?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f202d7a00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Watt-Ro...998?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d07e3dad6

This one is only 40 watts and not nearly enough power if your unit has any size to it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110V-Heatin...087?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a45eef2e7

 

[BantamFan4Life]

I'd say 2cm is way too close. You'll have some cooking and some not getting enough heat. The heat source should be as far from the eggs as possible to prevent that problem.
Also, infrared isn't the best choice because it heats what it is aimed at. Incandescent or halogen are better choices.
The best bet is a metallic element that won't be affected by constant cycling that will shorten the life of a lamp.

x2

 

[marinica]

A coil from a hairblower put in front of the fan could work ? I have limited option in my town.

 

[Daedalus62]

Imho, a simpler solution...

Just place that lamp as high (farthest from the eggs) as you can and mount the fan close to it... Blowing directly to it, of course... That will ensure an even heat distribution throughout the incubator... Fan always on.

Nice build on the turner, btw... Is the motor connected to a timer or always on?

Cheers

 

[Fred's Hens]

This homemade incubator hold 32 eggs and merely uses 40 watt bulbs. The "Y" splitter allows for distribution of the heat a little better than just one bulb. Simple 40 watt bulbs generate a ton of heat. In a similar unit I built, 25watt oven bulbs provided all the heat required. You also have to control the heat very, very accurately with a thermostat, which clicks the heat on/off as needed to maintain the required 99.5 F or 37.5 C

You have do hours of test runs with an accurate thermometer before you trust these things with good eggs.

The infra red bulb is way over kill, imho.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The infra red bulb is way over kill, imho.

X2

 

[marinica]

i took out ir bulb.
i put 2xregular bulbs (40w and 70w).
i setup my thermostat to stop bulbs at 37.5 c, and start at 37 (it is ok ? ). for now, without egg's, bulbs stay on for 1 min, off again for 1 min. room temp is 22-23c. i checked with a mercury thermometer, seems like is working ok.
will take some pictures tomorow.
motor is 1 rpm ( could not find one lower), and it will be controlled by a raspberry pi. i was thinking to run for 30sec every 4 hours. sounds ok ?

 

[Fred's Hens]

In my unit, the fan runs throughout the entire 21 day process, 24 hrs. a day. Mine is a little computer fan. $3 USD

 

[marinica]

yes, fan works 24x24. same, computer 12cm fan. motor- -> motor for autoturn eggs.