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Date: | Wed, 13 Nov 1996 05:13:53 -0600 |
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> Has anyone got plans for manufacturing a 30 queen incubator I have a
> few ideas. I am looking for a thermostat at the moment and have been
> considering reptile breeding tanks etc.
We use a commercial chicken egg incubator made from expanded
polystyrene. Cost was about $100 CAD (43 pounds Sterling).
Any single stage incubator is only as stable in temperature as the
room in which it is located. For *real* stability, a unit with double
walls and two regulator/heater arrangements is necessary IMO.
However this unit works fine if the ambient is controlled at all. We
use it in the truck with a small Statpower inverter for 110V power
sometimes.
The biggest hazard is the sun. If it shines on the box at all, the
temperature skyrockets.
I've used an old fridge with a 60-100 Watt bulb for a heater and a
commercial adjustable 110 VAC thermostat, however it was not entirely
accurate either. Swings of 5 or more degrees F were *not* uncommon.
I used a Radio Shack remote reading thermometer for reporting. It
was quite accurate and responsive. An electronic fever thermometer
is sufficiently accurate and reasonable responsive too.
I think these temperature swings are why 92 degrees F is usually
used rather than the 95.5 F that the bees themselves use.
Slightly cool temps are less harmful than even short term overheating
of several degrees.
IMO anyhow.
Regards
Allen
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>
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