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Hovabator / thermostat problems

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aliceinwl

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I can't seem to get my Hovabator's temperature under control. I've got the Hovabator turned all the way up and plugged into a Helix thermostat set at 80 and the temperature is continuously fluctuating between 78 - 84. I have second hovabator plugged into the Helix with a digital thermometer to verify temps and the thermometer readouts match those of the thermostat. Do I need to try to remove the wafer or something (I have no electrical skills what so ever), or tape the thermostat probe to the heating element itself? Could there be something wrong with the thermostat (the Helixes hooked up to my racks keep the temperatures very stable, no fluctuations from the set point)? The room that the incubators are in has the most stable temperatures in the house. This is driving me nuts!

Thanks!
Alice
 
Some thermostats turn the heating element on and off which would give you the temperature flux. Others adjust the voltage to the heating element so you get a stable temp.
 
All the Helix's that I've used have been proportional (heat output reduction/dimming instead of a simple "on-off" function). Unfortunately, I haven't had this incubator fluctuation problem so I'm sorry I can't be more help....BUT 78-84 is a HUGE fluctuation gradient, eeek! Where do you have the Hovobator? I'm inclined to say that either something is quite wrong with the incubator or that you've got the thing outside/in the garage!

Maybe someone else can be more help...
 
Do you have an extra thermostat or one of the rack Helix's you can hook up to the Hovo. to determine which piece of equipment is the problem? I've always found the newer Helix's to be extremely reliable...
 
Look at the model number on your Helix. Then go on line and see if it is an on off or a power adjustable type. The on off ones will give you the 5degree flux because it doesn't kick back on until it drops below the temp and needs time to heat up.
 
Alice, I have never used a hovabator but I would guess that you have a bad wafer.
 
I have second hovabator plugged into the Helix with a digital thermometer to verify temps and the thermometer readouts match those of the thermostat
Click to expand...
Do you have 2 hovabators plugged into 1 Helix? This would be a problem, as you can only control the temps acurately in 1 incubator with 1 Helix. As far as I know they are all proportional and should keep the temp stable. It is possible to damage the probe wire creating a kind of "short" Helix will replace the probe for a fee. Use the thermostat in 1 Hovabator, but also plug a lamp into the thermostat. When the desired temp is reached the bulb should be out or have a very dull glow as only a small amount of electricty is being supplied. Make sure the Helix probe and the thermometer are in the same spot in the Hovabator. Good luck
 
Alice, PM me if you like, I can tell you how to disco. the wafer.
 
Thanks for all the responses. The thermostat was purchased new from Helix last year at the Anaheim show and is a proportional DBS-1000. The incubators are inside, and the room temps are pretty stable. I plugged the second Hova-bator in as a kind of test to see how well the thermostat controlled a second incubator. So far, the temps in the second incubator have exactly matched those that the Helix probe is in, fluctuations and all.

The thermostat seems to be acting like an on / off. The temps go high, it cuts power; it goes low, it ups power resulting in continuous fluctuations. I've swapped positions and put the probe in the other incubator (I'll see what happens with that tonight); if it stays steady, that would point to a problem with the wafer in the first? In which case, I'll need help dissecting my incubators.

I have two other Helixes, but they're hooked up to my racks and need to stay there. The hova-bators are around 4 yrs old. I've never had this type of continuous fluctuation with these incubators in the past when I used them without a thermostat, but the temp did change with changes in room temp (that's why I got the thermostat). My racks are in my room where the temperature fluctuates quite a bit, but the thermostats have never had a problem keeping their temps stable.

-Alice

Dan, I have no idea how to PM (I'm a bit computer illiterate) :erm:
 
Some thermastats that are on/off design have a 5 degree variant in the temp so that the heating element isn't constantly going on and off. This would burn out the element faster. Run it without the Helix and see if the temp stabalizes. If so then you have an on/off type thermastat. The new ones control the voltage to the element.
 
Run it without the Helix and see if the temp stabalizes. If so then you have an on/off type thermastat. The new ones control the voltage to the element.
Click to expand...
The Helix DBS 1000 is not an on/off style.
With the brass wafer turned up to the top, away from the micro switch (little black box), you effectively bypass the thermostat in the Hovabator, as it is constantly in the on position. (The way they work, is the wafer expands when it gets warm, and pushes a small button on the micro switch which breaks the circuit, and turns off the heat.)
Put the thermostat probe and the probe for the the thermometer in the same incubator, set the thermostat on 80. if you still have fluctuations, where it gets cooler than 80, but not warmer, you may have a short in the heat element in the Hovabator. check the connections. Hope this helps.
 
The thermostat is a new (purchased in September 2005) Helix DBS-1000 proportional thermostat, so if the temperatures are fluctuating, there is either something wrong with it or the incubators. I use the same model on my racks and their temps stay stable.

-Alice
 
I didn't know you had the 1000. The older ones from a year ago had an on/off type.
 
I had the same problem last season. My room temp fluctuated big time I'm gonna give that helix a try this season
 
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