Content
To incubate eggs, poultry farmers use homemade and factory-made incubators. The appearance of the device resembles an ordinary box to which an electronic control unit is connected - a thermostat. Its task is to maintain the set temperature throughout the incubation period. Now we will look at what types of thermostats with an air temperature sensor are available for an incubator, and on what principle they work.
Types of thermostats
There are many types of thermostats. Some are suitable for connecting to an incubator, others are not, and others, in general, can only be used to take readings and are not capable of controlling the operation of the actuator. Let's see what thermostats are found on store shelves:
- Electronic models have high sensitivity and low error, which is very important when incubating eggs. The device consists of two elements: a temperature sensor and a control unit. A thermistor is used as a sensor. Temperature control is achieved by changing the resistance. A thermal transistor can also serve as a sensor.In this embodiment, control occurs by changing the passing current. The sensor is installed inside the incubator near the eggs. The control unit is an electronic key that controls the operation of heating elements installed inside the incubator. The signal to the electronic device comes from a temperature sensor, and the unit is installed outside the incubator.
The maximum error of the electronic thermostat for the incubator is 0.1OC, which cannot harm incubated eggs. - A mechanical controller is a simple mechanism equipped with a heat-sensitive plate. It does not operate on mains voltage. A mechanical controller is used to regulate the temperature in gas ovens and other similar household appliances.
- An electromechanical thermal relay operates on the principle of a mechanical analogue, but with a connection to the network. A thermoplate or a sealed capsule with contacts filled with gas is used as a temperature sensor. Heating or cooling of the sensor's sensitive elements activates the contacts. They open or close the circuit through which voltage flows to the heating element. Previously, enthusiasts made such a thermostat for an incubator with their own hands from old parts left over from broken household appliances. Its disadvantage is the large temperature control error.
- Another electronic device is PID controllers. Their difference lies in the smooth way they regulate the temperature. The electronic key does not break the circuit supplying current to the heater, but reduces or increases the voltage.This causes the heating element to work at full or half power, resulting in smooth temperature control.
- Digital devices with two-position control allow automatic adjustment of temperature and humidity. This thermostat is used in an automatic incubator with additional functions. A person only monitors the actions taking place. The mechanism of the automatic incubator turns the eggs itself, the electronic device monitors the temperature and humidity level, turns on the fan, etc.
- The 12 volt digital thermostat is designed to improve simple incubators. An electronic device monitors the temperature, and its control mechanism is a relay. It is to its contacts that the heater or fan is connected. That is, a person gets the opportunity to connect an actuator operating from 12V DC and 220V AC. The incubator, which has a 220V and 12V thermostat in one device, can be powered even from a car battery in the event of a power outage.
- A thermostat can serve as an automatic device for incubating eggs. The device consists of an actuator - a heater and a controller - a thermostat. Even a fan heater can act as a heater. Homemade incubators are usually equipped with a thermostat, for example, from the body of an old refrigerator.
From the entire list of thermostats for a regular household incubator, it is better to choose an electronic model with a temperature sensor.A device with a small error is suitable for incubating even those eggs that are sensitive to the slightest temperature change.
Connection and operation of the thermostat
A do-it-yourself thermostat for an incubator or a device purchased in a store works according to the same principle:
- The heating element in the incubator is a regular incandescent lamp or heating element. Rarely do homemade designs use a fan heater. This actuator is connected to the relay contacts or the electronic key of the thermostat.
- This circuit necessarily contains a temperature sensor: a thermistor, mechanical thermal plate, etc. When the temperature limit inside the incubator reaches its maximum, the sensor sends a signal to the electronic unit, which, using a relay or key, disconnects the circuit. As a result, the de-energized heater cools down.
- When the temperature reaches a minimum, the reverse process occurs. When the circuit is closed, voltage is supplied to the heater and it begins to work.
How to connect a thermostat, you ask? Yes, very simple. In the purchased incubator, the thermostat is already installed and ready for use. If the device is purchased separately, a connection diagram is included with the instructions. Depending on the model, there may be just terminals on the device body or wires already coming out. All outputs are usually marked with markings indicating where and what to connect. The user only needs to connect a temperature sensor and heater to the device and plug the device into a power outlet.
Connecting a thermostat with a humidity sensor follows a similar principle. Such a model will simply have an additional output of terminals or wires. This is where you need to connect the humidity sensor.
Homemade thermostat
To make a homemade thermostat for an incubator, you need to be able to read an electronic circuit, use a soldering iron, and understand radio components. If you have such knowledge and materials, then you can try to assemble a transistor controller, where four incandescent lamps are used as a heater. The photo shows one such thermostat circuit for an incubator, but you can find other, more complex options on the Internet.
The video shows a homemade controller:
Overview of factory-made thermostats
The store offers the consumer a large selection of controllers with various technical characteristics. Before making a choice, you need to find out what power heater the device can work with. After all, it depends on how many eggs can be sent for incubation at one time.
Dream-1
Multifunctional thermostat is designed to control humidity and temperature in the incubator. The device is not afraid of power surges, plus it additionally controls the automatic turning of eggs. All information from the sensors is displayed on a digital display.
Digital hygrometer
A very practical device with sensors allows you to control the temperature and humidity level inside the incubator. Information is displayed on a digital display. However, the hygrometer is only a controller. The device does not control the operation of the heater, fan or other actuator.
TCN4S-24R
The Korean thermostat is equipped with a PID controller. There are two electronic displays on the device body, where all information is displayed. The measurement occurs at intervals of 100 milliseconds, which guarantees accurate readings.
Aries
The series of these devices with PID controller was not originally intended for incubators.They were used in the industrial sector. Resourceful poultry farmers have adapted the device for incubating eggs, and it successfully copes with the task.
The video provides an overview of the Chinese controller:
Conclusion
The choice of thermostat models is huge, but you should not buy cheap devices of unknown origin. During incubation, such a controller may fail and all the eggs will simply disappear.
