Herpstat Not Heating Enough . . .

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

What value can you put on a failed clutch, incubation issues, or deformaties? The majority of problems from breeding are directly the fault of incubation.

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This is the best response I have seen yet:gj:

OK guys, apparently, the problem was that there wasn't a good connection somewhere, and the flexwatt wasn't even heating. However, it is now heating fine since I discovered that issue. Temps are stable, thermostat is not constantly on trying to heat. Top 4 tubs are remaining a good constant 89-90 degrees (there's some variance in tenths of degrees between those 4 tubs, but between 89-90). The bottom tub is only reading around 87, so I have ordered a bit of 4" flexwatt to add to it along the back wall along the bottom; hopefully, this will correct the cooler spot at the bottom.

The good news is, this incubator was not intended to be used this season--I was merely getting everything together and testing everything out. For purposes just like this. Cool spot? OK, we'll fix it. Not warm enough? We'll fix it. As I said, I was not opposed to adding more flexwatt if needed, just wasn't certain it was warranted at the time. However, once I got the flexwatt heating, it did seem to be doing the job with the exception of a cool spot at the bottom. So I am now going to add additional flexwatt in hopes of rectifying that issue.

Believe me, I know I've had a few temp drops during incubation in years past using my hova bators, but I've had no birth defects or otherwise unhealthy hatchlings. If I can produce healthy hatchlings from hova bators (and several clutches over the last 4 years, I might add) with 100% hatch rates, this one should definitely be better than what I've had. While I know that eggs should most certainly be kept in as tight of an incubation range as possible, eggs can withstand some slight changes in their environment, as long as those periods aren't extended for long periods. I'm sure that while females in the wild try and choose the most suitable place, you can't tell me the temps in those areas never drop at all overnight at least on occasion. If the temps drop 2 degrees when I open the door to check on eggs, and re-stabilize after 10-15 minutes (or less), I really can't see that hurting any of the hatchlings. I know I've had temp drops slightly larger than that for longer periods when using hova bators, and all of the hatchlings came out perfectly healthy. This incubator is definitely an upgrade for me--anything is an upgrade compared to a hova bator. ;)

87F on bottom is perfectly fine. I incubated half clutches this season at 87.

Just be sure to have fans blowing down to even it out more and your top temp should drop 1F by raising the bottom.

Also where is the probe positioned. Its best to have the probe at the bottom hovering mid air. Since heat rises, fans blow it back down keeping a consistent temp. Keeping probe at top the bottom will cool off a lot since all the heat is rising towards the probe.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

87F on bottom is perfectly fine. I incubated half clutches this season at 87.

Just be sure to have fans blowing down to even it out more and your top temp should drop 1F by raising the bottom.

Also where is the probe positioned. Its best to have the probe at the bottom hovering mid air. Since heat rises, fans blow it back down keeping a consistent temp. Keeping probe at top the bottom will cool off a lot since all the heat is rising towards the probe.

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At the moment, the probe is inside the middle tub. Still somewhat trying to find the best place for it. I have since changed the shelves as well--a friend suggested more wire-like shelving since that would allow for better air circulation, so I have made that change. But I could perhaps attach the line of the probe to one of the shelves, but leave the probe itself free hanging. And I may try that as well if I continue to have issues with cool spots. Thanks for the tip! :)

My fan is sitting on the back "lip" where the water jug is sitting, so about even with the second tub up from the bottom. I've got it blowing up at the moment (I was hoping it would circulate air up, hit the top of the incubator, and return back toward the bottom). But since I do seem to have a cool spot at the bottom, perhaps I should try moving it to the top shelf somewhere if I can find room, and letting it blow toward the bottom. If my additional flexwatt doesn't correct that issue, then I will certainly try that. Thanks for the other tip!

Yes, dont want the probe in the egg tub. This causes problems with the air outside egg tub being Higher than set temps. Thus causing condensation problems when eggs are in the tubs. Which doing it this way for one clutch is fine, but if you have many it can cause other eggs to have problems.

I always attach mine to the lowest shelf handing in middle away from the flexwatt. Doing so you should notice a steadier temp top to bottom.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Yes, dont want the probe in the egg tub. This causes problems with the air outside egg tub being Higher than set temps. Thus causing condensation problems when eggs are in the tubs. Which doing it this way for one clutch is fine, but if you have many it can cause other eggs to have problems.

I always attach mine to the lowest shelf handing in middle away from the flexwatt. Doing so you should notice a steadier temp top to bottom.

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In addition to adding more flexwatt, I decided to try all of your suggestions. ;) They seem to be working great! The bottom tub is now reading about 88, while the others are within 5/10 of a degree of each other (around 89.5). Moving the fan so it's blowing down does seem to help regulate temps better throughout, and I moved the probe where you suggested as well. Below are pics:
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...edFlexwatt.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...lacement-1.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...nPlacement.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...t/Inside-1.jpg

I know the temps are a bit off in this pic, but that's because I took it after having the door open for a long while while adding the additional flexwatt, moving the probe, taking pics, etc.
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...dewithTubs.jpg

So thanks again for all your assistance! It seems to be proving very helpful!

Ive just started having problems with my reptitemp thermostat. It used to keep around 90 at half way up, now its almost all the way up and it barely makes 94 degrees. I dont know what happened, I have the probe even closer to the heat source than before.

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Originally Posted by I<3Dreamsicles

Ive just started having problems with my reptitemp thermostat. It used to keep around 90 at half way up, now its almost all the way up and it barely makes 94 degrees. I dont know what happened, I have the probe even closer to the heat source than before.

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Is this in Incubator or a Rack.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Is this in Incubator or a Rack.

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Its on an aquarium. Just for my one python. I wouldnt use it on an incubator, but it was cheap and has done the job since I had it. Not sure if its just old or what?

Probe could be failing on its accuracy. If your Turing it all the way up and still only getting 94 its time to replace ASAP before it fails. Could have something getting ready pop on the motherboard.