Thermometer Digital vs Mercury

[championny]

Last night I bought a digital thermometer/hygrometer. I placed it in my incubator and when the mercury said at was 100, the digital said it was 101.8. I was a bit confused as to how off the mercury could be.

What is everyone else's choice to use? After this, I an sticking to the digital. I am now maintained at 100F and I can check the humidity correctly.

I may have an early hatch, but not under the right terms. I just hope I didn't cook the little guys too much. Everyone seems to be fine though.

 

[Wooden_Pony]

If you add another digital into your incubator it will not read the same as your other one.

Digitals are nice but I have found NONE of mine read the same I have 4 total in two different incubators.

I just recently switched to a good murcery reading temp guage and after letting it calibrate for a few hours on the counter I have found it reads great. I trust my mercury one better then my digital ones.

I just hope I didn't cook the little guys too much. Everyone seems to be fine though.

What type of incubator do you have? Forced or still air?​

 

[championny]

Still air

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Still air temps are 101 - 102.

 

[conny63malies]

i have the same issue with my wire probed accurite.
I dot really trust it. The thermometer that came with my incubator is more trustworthy.Get yourself a good trustworthy medical thermometer and you're set.

 

[silkiechicken]

I prefer analog devices over digital junk made according to RHOS compliance.

No lead = failed circuits = more junk in landfills every 18 months instead of a useful device lasting 20 years. (Get a medical grade device and it does not have to comply to RHOS)

 

[twigg]

Quote:
Well now .... mercury or digital?

Mercury med thermoms are few and far between now, for obvious reasons. The alcohol ones are fine, but why should you trust them either?

One problem with digitals is the degree to which they display. You cannot read 1/10th degree on a mercury, it's hard enough to read 1/2 a degree consistently, and they can give the illusion of accuracy. Digital thermometers are easier to use, and easier to use consistently, but they need calibrating.

Walmart sells digital medical thermometers that are warranted accurate to 1/10F, right in the range we need. They are about $8. Buy 2 and use them to calibrate all your other thermometers.

We only need a very narrow range, so calibrate in that range and write on them ... + or - whatever.

We need thermometers that give consistent results, to about 0.5F accuracy in a small range. Digital are very flexible, and very easy to operate, all of which helps prevent disaster. Other than for wetbulb readings, there is little to commend alcohol or mercury anymore.