Would you use an on/off thermostat for a BP egg incubator?

Going to build my first incubator soon, and I have an extra Ranco t-stat lying around. I'm trying to decide whether I can use it, or whether I really need to order a proportional thermostat (e.g. Herpstat) - what do you guys think? This will probably be made out of an old mini-fridge or cooler, using Flexwatt, computer fans, and possibly water bottles to maintain temperature.

No, I would definitely go with a proportional thermostat. I use a Herpstat Pro.

Edit - BTW, I have a large converted freezer, and do not use a fan or water bottles. I never have any issues hatching eggs.

I know quite a few people who use digital on/off thermostats for their incubators, me being one of them. I've always had good luck with the Johnson Controls. It keeps very stable temperatures, no fluctuations and the hatch rate is just the same as other keepers(100% unless egg doomed from start). I've actually had better luck with them than with proportionals, it's weird. I used a Herpstat once on a minifridge incubator and the temperatures fluctuated like nobody's business. All settings were where they were supposed to be and everything wired up normally.

I switched it out with the JC unit and fluctuations stopped. Hatched out three clutches that first year with 100% survival rate.

I think an on/off can work if certain conditions exist.

1) If you are available to check temps at least two or three times daily.

2) If the incubator is placed in a room that in itself keeps extremely stable temps and humidity.

3) If you are not constantly opening the incubator causing fluctuations.

4) If you have a very good digital device monitoring those temps/humidity.

I used an on/off myself last year and had a 100% hatchrate on three clutches (an admittedly small sampling). It worked, but personally I didn't enjoy the experience and wouldn't choose to repeat it. It caused me more worry and stress than I needed during the incubation process.

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Originally Posted by icygirl

This will probably be made out of an old mini-fridge or cooler, using Flexwatt, computer fans, and possibly water bottles to maintain temperature.

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I have no problems using the on/off variety from either Johnson or Ranco - I will however caution about using old mini-fridges that have metallic insides (as opposed to fiberglass or plastic). I had a strip of flexwatt short out inside a metal incubator due to the high humidity, shooting the temperature up to 115, and killing two clutches in the process (on day 58 no less).

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I think an on/off can work if certain conditions exist.

1) If you are available to check temps at least two or three times daily.

2) If the incubator is placed in a room that in itself keeps extremely stable temps and humidity.

3) If you are not constantly opening the incubator causing fluctuations.

4) If you have a very good digital device monitoring those temps/humidity.

I used an on/off myself last year and had a 100% hatchrate on three clutches (an admittedly small sampling). It worked, but personally I didn't enjoy the experience and wouldn't choose to repeat it. It caused me more worry and stress than I needed during the incubation process.

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LoL Jo, I was constantly opening the incubator. The JC and Ranco thermostats are still digital, they're not analog. When the probe is placed properly, they work just fine. I know that VPI uses dimmers on their incubators. I personally use small liquid thermometers to measure the temps. They don't fail in the high humidity like the digital ones do and I make sure they're all calibrated against each other before using.

Depends on the incubator too :) I like to build my own and have a 6ft tall glass front cooler. It has 6ft of 11" flexwatt in it and will hold probably 10-15 clutches(haven't filled it yet). I run the Tstat probe up through the drain hole in the bottom and zip tie it to a shelf in the center of the incubator. It holds temperatures to a T.

Still sorry you lost those clutches Jeff. That's awful.. If you ever want me to get ya'll another cooler, I can pop right over there. It might help to silicone the connections if you haven't already so it won't happen again. The incubator I have is metal inside too, just powder coated. Don't know if that makes a difference or not..

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Still sorry you lost those clutches Jeff. That's awful.. ... It might help to silicone the connections if you haven't already so it won't happen again.

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Yeah, I went through and re-cut and sealed the flex watt on the 'bator, eliminating the sheet that ran across the floor (and was thus susceptible to moisture pooling beneath it). It's back and operational, but I thought it was worth mentioning just in case anyone else had the same condition I went over three months without realizing the risk.

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

The incubator I have is metal inside too, just powder coated. Don't know if that makes a difference or not..

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I doubt the powder coating would make much difference, unless it's latex based and thick enough to be an effective insulator. The important part is to make sure you've got the bottom end of the flexwatt completely sealed (just the very end of the metal strip that peeks out of a cut strip), and not in a location where any amount of moisture can accumulate beneath it.

My first year, I actually had 3 clutches put up in two Hova-bators, using the wafer thermostats on them. Had absolutely no problems at all. So, simple analog thermostats can get the job done.

That having been said, I also prefer a proportional thermostat for finer control and more consistent temps.

not to say i would do it again, but last year i scrambled and came up with a make-shift incubator using an old coleman cooler, vermiculite, a jar of water, and an old aquarium heater. what i did was fill up the jar with water, place the aquarium heater inside, and then plug the heater in. i then placed the jar into the cooler, with the damp vermiculite. it worked very well for humidity and heat, though i know the temps fluctuated. however, they never fluctuated to drastically, AND we had a 100% hatch and survival rate! so it can be done, but for peace of mind, i would much rather use a Herpstat/Helix/whatever type of proportional thermostat you can get your hands on.

I think either will usually do the job. Just pay attention to the eggs every day. Make sure the conditions are optimal.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith