Birds such as quail, chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys. Such diversity became possible thanks to microcontroller automation.
Housing Materials:
- a sheet of chipboard or old furniture panels (like mine)
- laminate floor board
- perforated aluminum sheet
- two furniture awnings
- self-tapping screws
Tools:
- A circular saw
- Drill, drills, furniture drill (for awnings)
- screwdriver
Materials for automation:
- circuit board, soldering iron, radio components
- transformer for 220->12v
- DAN2N electric drive
- two 40W incandescent lamps
- 12v computer fan, medium size
Point 1. Manufacturing of the case.
Using a circular saw, we cut blanks from a chipboard sheet in accordance with the dimensions in Fig. one.
In the obtained blanks, in accordance with Fig. 2, drill holes D = 4 mm. for self-tapping screws, they are marked with red circles, green circles indicate the place of attachment of the cover canopies. We assemble the case in accordance with the scheme. We install the cover on two furniture hinges.
We drill rows of ventilation holes D = 5 mm. front and back, top and bottom.
As a result, a completely finished case for the incubator turned out, it does not need to be additionally insulated, the electronics do an excellent job of heating the box with just two light bulbs.
Item 2. Tray for eggs.
The main part of the tray is the base, an aluminum sheet with frequent holes for unhindered circulation of heated air. If there is no similar material, then you can make the bottom of any sheet material of sufficient rigidity and drill many holes in it D = 10 mm.
I made the sidewalls from a laminate, in which cuts are made to the middle in increments of 50 mm, a net for holding eggs is woven into them from garden twine, and at the end of the twine in the cuts it is glued with Titanium glue. It turns out a cell of 50x50 mm, the size of large duck eggs, so as not to make many different trays for different birds, so chicken eggs in some places have to be burst a little with foam bars. The capacity of this tray is 50 eggs. Goose eggs are laid in a checkerboard pattern, a twine mesh compresses the bookmark well.
For quails, a separate tray similar to this is made, but with a cell pitch of 30x30 mm, with a capacity of 150 eggs.
The capacity of the incubator does not end there, because there is also a second tier, a second tray, which, if necessary, is installed on top of the first tray.
In the photo: Attachment (V) for the top tray and metal bracket for attaching to the axis of the tilt mechanism.
This (V) shaped mount is located at both ends of the tray and is only needed if a second tray is planned. At the upper additional tray, the same fastening is only directed downwards and enters like a wedge into the "dovetail" of the lower tray.
Also in the photo you can see a metal eye for attaching the tray to the flag of the rotary mechanism.
In the photo: The flag of the rotary mechanism.
In the photo: The opposite side of the tray.
Here you can see (V) the fastening and hole of the support axis of the tray.
Point 3. Device for tilting the tray with eggs.
To rotate the axis with a flag, which in turn tilts the egg tray 45 degrees to one side and the other, I used the DAN2N electric drive used for ventilation pipes.
Pictured: A typical DAN2N application, opening and closing a pipe valve.
He is perfect for this job.
This drive performs a slow rotation of the axis by 90 degrees from one extreme point to another, and when it rests against the limiter of the angle of rotation, it goes into stop mode when the current in the motor is exceeded, until the control contact changes its state to the opposite.
To control the change of position on the control contact, any timer is suitable that will close and open the contact after a specified period of time. For this purpose, I found a French timer with adjustment from a fraction of a second to several days. But all these functions are already in our microcontroller control unit, therefore, to rotate the tray, it is enough for us to use any small motor with a gearbox, and the CU will take control of it.
Item 4. Control unit.
The control unit or the heart of the incubator, which determines whether you get chickens or not.
With the release of the popular Atmel microcontroller, many interesting projects began to appear, including simple and very reliable thermostats. So the March project from Radio magazine 2010 grew into a full-fledged complete incubator control module with all possible functionality. And these are: adjustment range 35.0С - 44.5С., indication and alarm in case of an emergency, temperature adjustment by a complex algorithm with a self-learning effect, automatic tray rotation, humidity control.
When the heating element is heated (in our case, incandescent lamps), the algorithm selects the heating power, due to which the temperature comes into balance and can be constant with an accuracy of 0.1g.
The emergency mode will help out if the output triacs are damaged, the control switches to an analog relay and, until the breakdown is eliminated, it will maintain the temperature in the acceptable range.
To control the rotation of the trays, the controller provides a range of adjustments up to ten hours, supports the presence of tilt limit switches, and without them, by setting the time to turn on the motor to cover the desired distance.
Automatic humidity control is controlled by a second electronic wet thermometer, psychrometric calculation method and when necessary, the load will turn on - atomizer or ultrasonic fogger with fan.
All manipulations of adjustments are made by three buttons.
The circuit uses temperature sensors DS18B20, the error of which can be set from the CU menu with an accuracy of 0.1 degrees.
Scheme of the incubator control unit on MK Atmega 8.
Depending on the used output power switches, you can use different options for output circuits with different connection points and firmware options.
* If pulse transformers MIT-4, 12 with a connection point (A) are used to control thyristors / triacs, then this scheme is used.
*Management of MOS optocouplers.
Firmware - Pulse-phase, connection at point (A), MOC3021, MOC3022, MOC3023 are used (without Zero-Cross)
Firmware - Low-Frequency PWM, Point-to-Point (V), MOC3041, MOC3042, MOC3043, MOC3061, MOC3062, MOC3063 (with Zero-Cross)
All experienced poultry farmers are well aware that one of the main conditions for the successful incubation of eggs, in addition to properly selected temperature and humidity, is their periodic turning over.
Moreover, this must be done according to a strictly defined technology. All existing incubators are divided into three groups - automatic, mechanical and manual, and the last two varieties suggest that the process of turning eggs will be carried out not by a machine, but by a person.
A timer will help simplify this task, which, with some time and experience, you can do it yourself. Several methods for manufacturing such a device are described below.
What is it needed for
The egg flip timer in the incubator is a device that opens and closes the electrical circuit after the same period of time, that is, in simple terms, a primitive relay. Our task is to turn off and then turn on the main components of the incubator, thus automating the system as much as possible and minimizing possible errors caused by the human factor.
The timer, in addition to turning the eggs, also provides the following functions:
- temperature control;
- providing forced air exchange;
- start and stop lighting.
The microcircuit on the basis of which such a device is made must meet two main conditions: low switching current with high resistance of the key element itself.
The best option in this case is the CMOS electronic circuit technology, which has both n- and p-channel field-effect transistors, which provides a faster switching speed and is also energy-saving.
The easiest way at home is to use the timing microcircuits K176IE5 or KR512PS10 sold in any electronics store. Based on them, the timer will work for a long time and, most importantly, uninterruptedly. 
The principle of operation of the device, made on the basis of the K176IE5 chip, involves the sequential execution of six actions:
- The system starts up (circuit closing).
- Pause.
- A pulsed voltage is applied to the LED (thirty-two cycles).
- The resistor is turned off.
- The node is charged.
- System shuts down (open circuit).
Important! If necessary, the response time can be extended up to 48–72 hours, but this will require upgrading the circuit with higher power transistors.
Timer,
made on the KR512PS10 chip, in general, is also quite simple, but there are additional functionality due to the initial presence in the circuit of inputs with a variable division ratio. Thus, to ensure the operation of the timer (the exact delay time), you need to choose the right R1, C1 and set the required number of jumpers. 
There are three options here:
- 0.1 second - 1 minute;
- 1 minute–1 hour;
- 1 hour–24 hours.
If the K176IE5 microcircuit assumes the only possible cycle of actions, then on the KR512PS10 the timer operates in two different modes: variable or constant.
In the first case, the system is turned on and off automatically, at regular intervals (the mode is configured using jumper S1), in the second case, the system turns on with a programmed delay once and then works until it is forced to turn off.
To implement the creative task, in addition to the timing microcircuits themselves, we need the following materials:
- resistors of various capacities;
- several additional LEDs (3-4 pieces);
- tin and rosin.
The set of tools is quite standard:
- a sharp knife with a narrow blade (to short-circuit resistors);
- a good soldering iron for microcircuits (with a thin tip);
- stopwatch or watch with a second hand;
- pliers;
- screwdriver tester with voltage indicator.
Do-it-yourself homemade incubator timer on the K176IE5 chip
Most electronic devices, such as the incubator timer in question, have been known since Soviet times. An example of the implementation of a two-interval timer for incubating eggs with detailed instructions was published in the Radio magazine, popular among radio amateurs (No. 1, 1988). But, as you know, everything new is a well-forgotten old.
If you are lucky enough to find a ready-made radio designer based on the K176IE5 chip with a printed circuit board already etched, then assembling and configuring the finished device will turn out to be a mere formality (the ability to hold a soldering iron in your hands is, of course, highly desirable).
Let's consider the stage of setting time intervals in more detail. The two-interval timer in question ensures the alternation of the “work” mode (the control relay is on, the incubator tray rotation mechanism is working) with the “pause” mode (the control relay is off, the incubator tray rotation mechanism is stopped).
The "work" mode is short-term and lasts within 30-60 seconds (the time required to turn the tray to a certain angle depends on the type of particular incubator).
Important! At the stage of assembling the device, one should strictly follow the instructions, avoid overheating at the soldering points of electronic semiconductor components (mainly the main microcircuit and transistors).
The "pause" mode is long and can last up to 5, 6 hours (depending on the size of the eggs and the heating capacity of the incubator.)
For ease of setup, the circuit has an LED that will blink at a certain frequency during the time interval setting process. The power of the LED is consistent with the circuit using the resistor R6.
Setting the duration of these modes is carried out by time-setting resistors R3 and R4. It should be noted that the duration of the "pause" mode depends on the value of both resistors, while the duration of the operating mode is set solely by the resistance R3. 
For fine tuning, it is recommended to use 3-5 kΩ variable resistors for R3 and 500-1500 kΩ for R4 as R3 and R4, respectively.
Important! The lower the resistance of the time-setting resistors, the faster the LED will flash, and the shorter the cycle time.
Adjustment of the "work" mode:- short the resistor R4 (reduce the resistance R4 to zero);
- turn on the device;
- resistor R3 to adjust the blinking frequency of the LED. The duration of the "work" mode will correspond to thirty-two flashes.
Pause mode adjustment:
- use the resistor R4 (increase the resistance R4 to the nominal value);
- turn on the device;
- note the time between adjacent LED flashes using a stopwatch.
The duration of the "pause" mode will be equal to the received time multiplied by 32.
Instructions: how to make an incubator timer on a KR512PS10 chip with your own hands
The KR512PS10 microcircuit, manufactured on the basis of the CMOS process technology, is used in a wide variety of electronic timer devices with a variable division ratio of the time cycle.
These devices can provide both a single switching on (turning on the operating mode after a certain pause and holding it until forced shutdown), and cyclic switching on - switching off according to a given program.
Did you know? The chick in the egg breathes atmospheric air, which penetrates the shell through the smallest pores in it. By letting in oxygen, the shell simultaneously removes carbon dioxide exhaled by the chicken, as well as excess moisture, from the egg.
Creating a timer for an incubator based on one of these devices will not be difficult. Moreover, you don’t even have to pick up a soldering iron, since the range of industrially produced boards based on KR512PS10 is extremely wide, their functionality is diverse, and the ability to adjust time intervals covers the range from tenths of a second to 24 hours. 
Ready-made boards are equipped with the necessary automation, which provides quick and precise adjustment of the "work" and "pause" modes. Thus, the manufacture of a timer for an incubator on a KR512PS10 chip comes down to the correct choice of a board for the specific characteristics of a particular incubator.
If you still need to change the operating mode time, then this can be done by shorting the resistor R1.
For those who love and know how to solder, and also want to assemble such a device with their own hands, we present one of the possible schemes with a list of electronic components and a printed circuit board trace. 
The described timers are applicable to control overturning of the tray in domestic incubators with periodic switching on of the heating elements. In fact, they allow you to synchronize the movement of the tray with turning the heater on and off, cycling the entire process.
Other options
In addition to the considered options for basic microcircuits, there are many electronic components on which you can build a reliable and durable device - a timer.
Among them are:
- MC14536BCP;
- CD4536B (with modifications CD43***, CD41***);
- NE555 etc.
Some of these microcircuits are currently out of production and replaced by modern analogues (the electronic components manufacturing industry does not stand still).
All of them differ in secondary parameters, an extended range of supply voltages, thermal characteristics, etc., but at the same time they perform the same tasks: switching on and off a controlled electrical circuit according to a given program. 
The principle of setting the working intervals of the assembled board is the same:
- find and short-circuit the "pause" mode resistor;
- set the desired blinking frequency of the diode with the “work” mode resistor;
- unlock the "pause" mode resistor and measure the exact operating time;
- set divider parameters;
- place the board in a protective case.
When making a tray flip timer, you need to understand that this is primarily a timer - a universal device, the scope of which is not limited solely to the task of flipping the tray in the incubator.
Subsequently, having gained some experience, you will be able to supply similar devices with heating elements, a lighting and ventilation system, and later, after some modernization, use it as the basis for automatically supplying feed and water to chickens.
Did you know? Many believe that the yolk in an egg represents the embryo of the future chicken, and the protein is the nutrient medium necessary for its development. However, in reality this is not the case. The chick begins to develop from the germinal disc, which in a fertilized egg looks like a small spot of light color in the yolk. The chick feeds mainly on the yolk, while the protein is a source of water and useful minerals for the embryo, which are necessary for normal development.
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Electrical diagram of the egg turning system in the incubator.
The constituent elements of the proposed electrical circuit are assembled from the simplest parts and mechanisms.
Automatic egg turning system consists of a mechanical part connected by articulated joints with a trolley on which trays with eggs are located, or directly with the trays themselves, and an electrical part that includes limit switches (fixed position sensors) and an actuating unit.
The switch of the modes of the electric scheme of turning of eggs in an incubator.
We used a small quartz alarm clock made in China. The technological equipment of industrial incubators used a system of mechanical clocks with limit switches that were triggered by pressing adjusting bolts installed on the time scale of a disk rotating instead of arrows.
A similar system was taken as a basis.
On the dial of a quartz watch, every 90 ° (15, 30, 45, 60 minutes) contacts are fixed through which voltage is applied to the control relay windings. And it closes the contacts - the minute hand, on which a small springy electrical contact is fixed on the bottom side.
The dial can be processed in any way: glue slip rings, melt a wire with a hot soldering iron, place a foil getinax with contact markings, use photocells, reed switches - everything is at the discretion of the designer and everything - depending on the materials available.
The spring contact on the minute hand is made of tinned copper wire, which is softer than steel.
The arrow is plastic and it is easy to melt it with a hot soldering iron or glue the finished contact.
The electrical circuit of the rotary system of the incubator is assembled to a minimum and is easy to assemble.
The principle of operation of the electrical system for turning eggs in an incubator.
The control contacts (SAC1) are closed every 15 minutes. The clock is working normally.
Electric drive unit of the egg turning system in the incubator.
You can use any drive mechanism: children's electric toys, an electric drill block, an old mechanical alarm clock, a car wiper electric drive mechanism, a rotary mechanism from a household fan heater or fan, an electromagnetic traction relay with a vacuum regulator, use a washing machine ready for automatic control or make your own screw with minimal details (by the way, very simple and convenient). Depends on the design and dimensions of the incubator itself.
If you use a gearbox with a crank mechanism, then the main shaft must have a diameter greater than the stroke length of the swivel frame (when the frame is horizontal on the tray). With a screw mechanism, the length of the working threaded part corresponds to the travel distance of the egg turning system.
Electric drive of the egg turning system in the incubator The screw mechanism is controlled by an electric motor with reversible switching, that is, the motor is switched on alternately in the left and right side of rotation.
Description of the operation of the electrical circuit of the rotary system of the incubator.
The battery-powered quartz alarm clock operates normally. At regular intervals, namely: every fifteen minutes of the current time, the minute hand, passing over the contacts fixed on the dial, brings a springy contact to them and closes the electrical circuit through them. Thus, a control signal is generated for the control relay (K2 or K3).
From the reverse side of the relay (K2 or K3), an electrical signal is sent to the limit switch (SQ1 or SQ2).
There is a rod on the movable mechanism of the rotary system, which, moving along with the movable part of the system, presses the limit switch key, being in one of the extreme positions, and thereby breaks the circuit: mode switch-control relay-limit switch.
Simply put, it turns out like this: from the mode switch (modified alarm clock), when its contacts are closed, voltage is supplied to the control relay and then to the limit switch. If the limit switch is in the closed state, the control relay will turn on and close the control circuit of the drive relay with its contacts, which will supply power to the electric drive of the turning system.
The system will start and move the mechanism to one of the two positions carried out when turning the eggs in the incubator. The end position will be fixed by turning off the limit switch by pressing the rod moving with the frame on the switch key.
The circuit with reversible connection of the electric motor is slightly different by the addition of a second drive relay with two controlled (switched) contacts.
Electronics enthusiasts can use a digital timer with a self-start after a cycle or a time relay, which was once used by amateur photographers. There are many options. You can buy a ready-made electronic unit. Everything comes from possibilities.
List of some details.
- SAC1 - mode switch.
- K3 and K4 - control relay type RES-9 (10.15) or similar.
- K1 and K2 are drive relays with switching current, respectively, according to the load current.
- HV - light indicators.
- SQ1 and SQ2 are limit switches. You can use microswitches (MK) from old cassette recorders.
Content:
The desire to receive more and give less is human nature. But it sometimes leads to the fact that the miser pays twice. This postulate can be attributed to incubators. The poultry farmer really needs it. Big, good and high quality is expensive. For example, the price of an incubator for 300 eggs is 29,000 rubles. A cheap one can last one season, and even spoil the hatching eggs. So it turns out that the economy does not lead to good.
But now for those who are “friends with technology” and have skillful hands, there is an opportunity to save money and get a reliable (there will be no one to blame) device that is very important for the poultry farmer. This is a homemade incubator. There are complete collection kits on sale, and the automation necessary for their improvement is also sold separately.
Requirements for homemade incubators
Before assembling an incubator, you need to know the technical conditions that it must provide.
- When incubating chicken eggs, the number of continuous days of its work is 21 days.
- Eggs in the incubator are laid out at a distance of at least 10 mm from each other
- The temperature in the incubator varies depending on the stage of development of the embryo in the egg.
- In automatic mode, eggs are turned over once every hour.
- Optimum humidity and ventilation are maintained. Air speed 5 m/s.
Ready kits
To facilitate work and increase the reliability of the future design, it makes sense to purchase a ready-made automation kit for a home-made incubator. For example, such as in the figure below.
It includes:
- Temperature controller providing automatic visual control of temperature and humidity.
- Sensors that scan the state of temperature and humidity inside the incubator.
- Transformer 220/12V.
- Universal tray with automatic rotation. You can put either quail or chicken eggs in it.
The price of this set is 5000 rubles. But on the other hand, you can be sure that the incubation process is proceeding correctly. The temperature and humidity correspond to the set parameters, and the eggs turn on time.
If you are only interested in automatic egg turning, then you can purchase a simpler kit.
This photo shows the overall dimensions of the device. They will tell you how to place it in the future incubator.
This kit consists of the following:
- Reversible motor - 14 W, 2.5 rpm;
- Asterisks - 1 meter;
- Limit switches - 2 pcs;
- Mounting bracket;
- Connecting wires.
The kit is sold already assembled and configured. You just need to connect it to the control thermostat. Price - 3990 rubles.
Connecting this device in a homemade incubator looks like it is shown in the diagram.
But motorized trays have to be in some kind of enclosure. And it matters to the incubator. After all, inside it is carried out thermoregulation of air exchange for the incubation of eggs. Therefore, the thermal insulation qualities of the material from which the incubator will be made are very important.
A great option for the case is an old refrigerator. Its body also has the properties of a thermostat, and the doors close comfortably and securely.
Re-equipment of the refrigerator under the incubator
Before proceeding with the assembly of the incubator from the old refrigerator, it is necessary to get rid of unnecessary parts in it and remove the freezer.
To ensure proper air exchange, it is necessary to establish a ventilation system.
Ventilation and humidity
To ensure ventilation in the refrigerator case, two holes with a diameter of 30 mm are made. One is at the bottom, the other is at the top. Tubes are inserted into these holes. By completely or partially closing these openings, you will regulate the air exchange inside the device.
At the bottom, install a fan on rubber cushions. You can use a computer fan. Place a container of water nearby. With the help of evaporation of this water, it will be possible to regulate the humidity in the future incubator. Attach heating elements. It can be ordinary incandescent lamps or heating elements.
Air exchange in this case occurs as follows.
- The air below is heated.
- Humidified with water vapor from a cuvette.
- The fan pushes the air up.
- Some of the heat is given off to hatching eggs;
- Part of the air cools and is blown out.
- After cooling, part of the air descends, and the other enters from the outside through the bottom hole.
Heating system
The simplest heating option is 25 W incandescent lamps. Four lamps are taken. Two are installed at the bottom, two at the top. Or you can use more powerful lamps (40 W), but take a smaller number of them (2 pieces). Heating elements can become an alternative to lamps.
Trays and their turning mechanism
You can buy a motorized tray made in China. They are also of high quality, but are cheaper than imported ones. Their kits include:
- a frame on which mini-trays with cells for eggs are installed;
- power unit;
- low-speed engine, excluding sharp jerks at the start of movement.
These are very handy trays. Their rotation is carried out by a built-in motor, which is enough to connect to the included power supply. The full cycle (90 degrees) of turning the trays takes two hours.
If you do not want to use this very convenient solution, you can make trays yourself. For example, from metal, wood and mesh, or any other material at hand. The main thing is to install them without skew in the body of a homemade incubator. Fix the rotary axes for the trays with brass bushings or use special bearing supports.
A chain drive can be used as a mechanism for turning the trays. The diagram of its connection is shown in the figure above, and how it will look in the installed form in the photo below.
Conclusion
It’s worth making an incubator yourself only if you have locksmith skills and are “friends” with electrical engineering. Then you can significantly reduce your costs for the purchase of this product. It won’t be completely free, but you can purchase and install better and more reliable components.
All components of this device can be easily bought. This was written above. To control the entire mechanism, you will need to purchase a thermostat. And then apply your skills in plumbing.
As you can see, this option for equipping the overturning mechanism is more troublesome than purchasing a mechanized tray. And the price advantage is not so obvious.
Collapse
Not all models of incubators are equipped with a timer for turning the trays, and this is fraught with improper ripening of the fetus and the manifestation of various pathologies in chickens. Making such a device yourself is quite simple. Consider the purpose of the device, its functional features and typical assembly schemes.
Functions and working principle
The device is a typical time relay that operates on the principle of opening an electrical circuit at regular intervals. This sets the algorithm for turning on and off the main nodes. The timer automates the process of turning the trays in the incubator and makes egg care as easy as possible.
Main goals:
- turning the lighting on or off;
- temperature control;
- forced ventilation;
- implementation of the coup for the incubator.
It is important to note that not every microcircuit is suitable for reconfiguration in a time relay. The main condition is the high resistance of the connected element at low voltage. It is recommended to use boards assembled using CMOS technology, i.e. with the presence of n and p channel transistors.
In order for the relay to be reliable and durable, you need to use a specialized connection scheme. The easiest to implement:
- K176IE5;
- KR512PS10.
The first timer loops:
- inclusion;
- custom pause;
- supply of pulses to the LED (32 pcs.);
- disconnecting the resistor;
- charge supply to the node;
- circuit opening;
- repeat.
The main advantage of this scheme is its simplicity. Any step can be customized according to the peculiarities of the egg maturation process.
Scheme K176IE5
The KR512PS10 circuit is not much more complicated, but it has extended functionality, which is achieved due to the presence of pre-installed inputs with specified division ratios. For clarity, consider the drawing:
Scheme KR512PS10
To set the time interval, you must configure R1, C1 and set the appropriate number of jumpers. Available configurations:
- 0.1-60 seconds;
- 1-60 minutes;
- 1-24 hours.
If necessary, it is possible to extend the time interval up to 2-3 days, but this will require the installation of more powerful resistors. Unlike the previous scheme, KR512PS10 operates non-cyclically, two modes are available:
- variable, set by jumper S1, the circuit is opened at regular intervals, the operating time is equal to the idle time;
- constant, the circuit turns on with a set delay and does not open until the power is turned off.
Both circuits are sold in radio stores. If you use the instructions, their connection will not cause difficulties even for beginners. Consider how to make a homemade timer for an incubator, and determine the main points that you should pay attention to.
A set of tools and accessories
To check and then repack the circuits, prepare:
- pliers;
- soldering iron for radio components (with a thin tip);
- rosin and tin;
- tester/screwdriver with indicator;
- a set of resistors of different power;
- 3-4 spare LEDs;
- clock with stopwatch.
To quickly short resistors, it is best to use a knife with a narrow blade.
Based on the K176IE5 chip: detailed instructions
The timer for the incubator on K176IE5 with a printed circuit board practically does not need to be configured.
There are two options:
- Long cycle delay. We find resistors R3 and R4, they are responsible for the time of work and pause. The higher the resistance of the resistor, the longer the cycle. To find out the time interval, you need to detect how much passes between the blinks of the diode, and multiply the resulting figure by 32. A similar time relay for the incubator will turn over the trays with eggs every 3-5 hours. If the pause time is increased, the stable operation of the circuit is not guaranteed. In addition, in this case, the operation period will be close to the pause period. This is fraught with the fact that the eggs will spin as if on a spit for the same 3-5 hours.
- Short cycle delay. Short circuit resistor R4, measure the duration of 32 flashes and set the actual operating time. In this case, the pause will also be 3-5 hours, but the chain will only work for 30-50 seconds. This is enough to rotate the average egg tray 180 degrees. The larger the size, the smaller the stroke. Specific parameters need to be adjusted according to the type of eggs, tray dimensions and turning mechanism.
Typical set of accessories:
- transistors KT315;
- Relay - RES-6, RES-22;
- R3 - units of kOhm;
- R4 - hundreds of kOhm, units of mOhm;
- additional resistors are tested through a diode of 9 V and above.
Homemade device is durable and does not need maintenance. You need to be afraid of mechanical damage. Low-quality parts often lead to breakage. If changes are made to the base board and the resistors or transistors are replaced, they must be rated for the appropriate load.
You should not use this timer to solve several problems, one device turns on and off a specific circuit. To automate other processes, a new time relay is needed.
Based on the KR512PS10 chip: detailed instructions
This do-it-yourself incubator timer is even easier to make than the previous one. The printed circuit board is immediately equipped with built-in automation, which makes it easy to adjust the work and pause times. To do this, change the inputs, which allows you to increase the maximum pause time up to two days, and work - up to 2 hours.
The operation of the device is based on two signals. The first one transmits current to the executing mechanism and puts it into action. The second creates cyclic pulses, the frequency of which determines the time of work and pause.
The boards are supplied in different configurations, so, as a rule, you do not need to manually make changes to the microcircuit. If such a need arose:
- find resistor R1;
- short it;
- note the time it takes to turn the tray;
- connect a resistor and set the exact operating time.
A home-made timer for an incubator is designed for domestic use, in incubators, where heat is supplied in batches. In fact, the device sets the tray in motion after a certain time after the heater is turned on, and the cycle is repeated at regular intervals.
If the incubator itself is made on the basis or according to the scheme of the industrial design, the KR512PS10 is ideal. The peculiarity of such units is that they use powerful heating elements that require constant rotation of the tray. Since the board is able to send a pulse in a format where the pause time is equal to the work, it is easy to tune it in unison with the heater.
Alternatives
The timer for the incubator is also assembled on boards like:
- MC14536BCP;
- CD4536B.
These microcircuits differ in that they have a higher power supply range, up to 18 V. In practice, we get an expansion in the power of the transistors used, respectively, the pause and work time increases.
The setup mechanism is exactly the same:
- measure the blinking of the diode;
- short-circuit the resistor responsible for the pause;
- measure the exact time of work;
- set parameters;
- place the board in a protective case.
In domestic applications, the need for such solutions rarely arises. However, on the basis of these boards, it is easy to make a time relay for the heating element, and later upgrade it and use it as an automation for feeding and supplying water to chickens.
In specialized stores, ready-made timers for incubators are sold. High-value options are in most cases made in China, so the quality of their work is not always at a high level.
Making a timer yourself is not difficult. The process will not take more than 30-40 minutes. As a result, you will get reliable automation, clearly tailored to the parameters of your incubator.
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