I just got a Nature's Spirit incubator. You guys who have used them, where do you place the probe? I'm using a helix and can't seem to get a consistent temp. I set the helix at 89 and get varying temps throughout the incubator. I also tried it at 91 but still no consistency in temps.

I put the probe on the the first shelf right where the hole for the probe enters the incubator. I set the helix at 90 to 91 and it works fine. You will get some varying temps by about two degrees,but I have never had any problems. Usually if I set my helix at 91 when the incubator is full, the top shelf is at about 88 to 89 and the middle and bottom shelves are about 89 to 90. I've been using them for about four years now and never had a problem.
Just make sure the probe doesn't fall out off the shelf to the bottom of the incubator or get pulled out of the incubator and you will be fine.

how many clutches fit in there incubators? Thanks Robert

I hang my probe from the top shelf, middle of incubator w/ a wire tie. My Helix is set at 89, inside my tubs stay at a constant 88.4.

One thing that I would do if I was you is put 6 or 8 water bottles in the bottom of the incubator at the front.

Gixxer - depends on the species really - but they are designed for 6qt tubs - you can get 9 tubs in there if you pack it in. I use the 25qt tubs myself and it works well (but only holds 3 and that is after moving the top shelf down slightly).

I hang my probe from the top shelf, middle of incubator w/ a wire tie. My Helix is set at 89, inside my tubs stay at a constant 88.4.

One thing that I would do if I was you is put 6 or 8 water bottles in the bottom of the incubator at the front.

Gixxer - depends on the species really - but they are designed for 6qt tubs - you can get 9 tubs in there if you pack it in. I use the 25qt tubs myself and it works well (but only holds 3 and that is after moving the top shelf down slightly).

I have mine the same. But I can fit 11 6 qt sterilites in mine.

I have mine the same. But I can fit 11 6 qt sterilites in mine.


ha.. I guess I could too then.. :rockon: Never really tried...

ha.. I guess I could too then.. :rockon: Never really tried...


LOL, yep just turn a few side ways :yessir:

When I originally got my first one I think I remember the same issue. What worked for me was setting up an egg box and putting the probe inside the box on the middle shelf. Works great.

Congrats, you just picked up one awesome Incubator. I love those things.

I put a bowl of water in front of the fan. Probe is slid into the hole and is taped on the floor right in front of the bowl, bowl is in between probe and fan.

Here's how mine is set and has been the last few years....

You can see the probe, hangs in front of the fan.... bowl of water opposite wall for humidity and to distribute air flow..... works good for me. I can fit 12 clutches in one using the 6 inch deep deli cups and some long shapped containers :cheers:

I put the probe into a eggbox(set up as if it has eggs)
I also usually put a egg box into the incubator to "prewarm" if I'm expecting eggs. That way it's really set, and I have a thermometer probe in the box to be sure the eggs have proper temps.
I love the NS incubator, it's almost idiotproof, but I did prove if you're a big enough idiot, you can screw it up.

I love the NS incubator, it's almost idiotproof, but I did prove if you're a big enough idiot, you can screw it up.[/QUOTE]

How'd you screw up?

I plugged in the fan, and not the heat tape source. Then I wondered why the temps kept going up and down, which turned out to be the room temps fluctuating, since there was no power to the actual HEAT producing bits.
LOL. Like I said... I managed to prove the idiot-proof wrong. The folks at Nature's Spirit were VERY kind and didn't laugh too much at me when I called back to explain what I was doing wrong.

Don't feel bad wolfyhound, I had a friend of mine set up his incubator upside down.

Haha! I DO feel better!