Content
For the incubation of eggs, poultry farmers use home-made 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 thermostats are with an air temperature sensor for an incubator, and on what principle they work.
Varieties of thermostats
There are many types of thermostats. Some are suitable for connection to an incubator, others are not, others, in general, can only be used to take readings, and are not able to control the operation of the actuator. Let's see what kind of thermostats are found on store shelves:
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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 carried out by changing the resistance. A thermotransistor can also serve as a sensor. In this embodiment, the control is carried out by changing the passing current. The sensor is placed inside the incubator near the eggs. The control unit is an electronic key that controls the operation of the 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 0.1aboutC, which cannot damage the incubated eggs. -
The mechanical controller is the simplest mechanism, equipped with a temperature-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.
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The electromechanical thermostat works 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 the sensing elements of the sensor activates the contacts. They open or close the circuit through which the voltage goes 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 error in temperature control.
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Another electronic device is PID controllers. Their difference lies in the smooth way of adjusting the temperature. The electronic key does not break the circuit supplying current to the heater, but decreases or increases the voltage. From this, the heating element works at full strength or half, due to which a smooth temperature control is obtained.
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Digital devices with two-point control allow automatic adjustment of air temperature and humidity. Such a thermostat is used in an automatic incubator with additional functions. The person only monitors the ongoing actions.The automatic incubator mechanism itself turns the eggs, the electronic device monitors the temperature and humidity level, turns on the fan, etc.
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The 12 volt digital thermostat is designed to enhance simple incubators. An electronic device monitors the temperature, and its control mechanism is a relay. It is to its contacts that a heater or fan is connected. That is, a person gets the opportunity to connect an actuator operating from 12V DC and 220V AC. An incubator with a 220V and 12V thermostat in one device can be powered even from a car battery in the event of an emergency power outage.
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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. The thermostat is usually equipped with homemade incubators, for example, from the body of an old refrigerator.
From the entire list of thermostats for a conventional household incubator, it is better to choose an electronic model with a temperature sensor. The device with a small error is suitable for incubating even those eggs that are sensitive to the slightest temperature difference.
Connection and operation of the thermostat
A self-assembled thermostat for an incubator or a device purchased in a store works according to the same principle:
- The heating element in the incubator is an ordinary incandescent lamp or heating element. Rarely, a fan heater is used in homemade designs. This executive element is connected to the relay contacts or the electronic key of the thermostat.
- In this circuit, a temperature sensor is necessarily present: a thermistor, a mechanical thermoplate, etc. When the temperature limit inside the incubator reaches a maximum, the sensor sends a signal to the electronic unit, which will disconnect the circuit using a relay or key. As a result, the de-energized heater cools down.
- When the temperature has reached a minimum, the opposite process takes place. When the circuit is closed, voltage is applied to the heater and it starts to work.
How do you connect a thermostat, you ask? It's very simple. In the purchased incubator, the thermostat is already installed and ready for use. If the device is purchased separately, then along with the instructions there is a diagram of its connection. Depending on the model, there may be just terminals on the body of the device or wires already come out. All outputs are usually marked with markings indicating where and what to connect. The user only has to connect a temperature sensor, a 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 a 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 there is 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 of these thermostat schemes for an incubator, but on the Internet you can find other, more complex options.
The video shows a homemade controller:
Overview of prefabricated thermostats
In the store, the consumer is offered a large selection of controllers with various technical characteristics. Before making a choice, you need to find out with a heater of what power the device is capable of working. After all, it depends on how many eggs can be sent for incubation at a time.
Dream-1
The multifunctional thermostat is designed to control humidity and temperature in an incubator. The device is not afraid of voltage drops in the network, plus it additionally controls the automatic turning of the eggs. All information from the sensors is displayed on a digital display.
Digital hygrometer
A very practical device with sensors allows you to monitor 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 a heater, fan or other actuator.
TCN4S-24R
The Korean thermostat is equipped with a PID controller. There are two electronic displays on the body of the device, where all information is displayed. The measurement takes place at intervals of 100 milliseconds, which is the guarantor of accurate readings.
Aries
The PID controller series was not originally designed for incubators. They were used in the industrial sector. Resourceful poultry farmers have adapted the device for incubating eggs, and he successfully copes with the task.
The video provides an overview of the Chinese controller:
Conclusion
The choice of thermostat models is huge, but you shouldn't buy cheap devices of unknown origin. During incubation, such a controller may fail and all eggs will simply disappear.
