User's Manual
Table Of Contents
- Introduction
- Quick Reference (please read relevant section for detail)
- Unpacking
- Please identify each part and check that they are all present and undamaged. If there are any parts damaged or missing please contact your retailer or Brinsea Products (at the address at the end of the document).
- Note that if your incubator has been ordered with additional options (such as the Advance Humidity Pump) separate instructions and component lists apply.
- Check also that the electrical supply matches the
- Complete and return your guarantee card to register for the free two year guarantee covering your incubator.
- Go to www.Brinsea.co.uk and register as a free member of the Brinsea User Group (BUG) to receive the latest news and information such as advance notice about new products, special offers, exclusive competitions and much more.
- Location and Installation
- Your incubator will give best results in a room f
- Connect the mains cable to the incubator lid. Ensure the connector is pushed fully home in its socket.
- Fit the Cable Cover and tighten the screw. DO NOT OPERATE THE INCUBATOR WITHOUT THE CABLE COVER IN PLACE. ENSURE THE CABLE IS NOT CRUSHED OR PINCHED WHEN THE COVER IS FITTED. The cover is designed to prevent splashes of water reaching the electrical sock
- If using the Autoturn cradle: Assemble the Autoturn cradle in accordance with the diagram below (Fig. 2) and place on a flat, level surface (workbench height is ideal). Place the incubator into the Autoturn cradle as illustrated (Fig. 1). The cabin
- If using without the Autoturn cradle place the incubator upright on a flat level surface.
- Remove the lid, lift out the egg tray and fill on
- Plug incubator and cradle mains supply cables into suitable outlets ensuring that the cables are not pulled tight. The incubator fan will start, the buzzer sound and the LCD display on the temperature control housing will display the air temperature and
- Allow the incubator to run for at least an hour to stabilise the temperature before making adjustments or setting eggs.
- Digital Control System
- Storage of Eggs
- Temperature
- Stable and correct temperature is essential for good results. Adjust with care.
- Note: your incubator may not be set to the correct temperature from the factory and the following procedure must be followed before setting eggs.
- As the incubator warms up and approaches its cont
- Press the - and + buttons simultaneously to unloc
- Refer to the digital temperature display to check
- The Display can be switched to show all temperatu
- Recommended temperatures:Typical incubation period:
- Hens37.4 – 37.6°C99.3 – 99.6°F21 days
- Pheasant37.6 – 37.8°C99.6 - 100°F23-27 days
- Quail37.6 – 37.8°C99.6 - 100°F16-23 days
- Ducks37.4 – 37.6°C99.3 – 99.6°F28 days
- Geese37.4 – 37.6°C99.3 – 99.6°F28-32 days
- Parrots:
- Amazons36.8 – 37.0°C98.3 – 98.6ºF24-29 days
- Macaws36.8 – 37.0°C98.3 – 98.6ºF26-28 days
- Love birds36.8 – 37.0°C98.3 – 98.6ºF22-24 days
- African Grey36.8 – 37.0°C98.3 – 98.6ºF28 days
- Eclectus36.8 – 37.0°C98.3 – 98.6ºF28 days
- Developing embryos are fairly tolerant of short term temperature drops and the user need not be concerned about cooling that occurs when inspecting eggs. Temperatures above ideal can quickly have a serious detrimental effect on hatch rates and must be av
- The Octagon 20 Advance has a built-in temperature alarm which warns of high or low temperatures. See section 4 for details.
- Humidity and Ventilation
- Two factors affect incubation humidity: water evaporation within the cabinet (from eggs as well as from additional water) and levels of ventilation. The water content of the air being drawn through the incubator will also have an effect.
- There are two methods available to bird breeders to achieve correct humidity levels in the octagon 20 Advance:
- Of the two methods given above the most reliable
- Alter the setting of the ventilation control (reduce ventilation to increase humidity) and have water in neither, one or both of the water channels to change the humidity level. Humidity levels may be further increased by placing strips of evaporating
- In all cases the humidity for hatching needs to be high. Because of the short duration involved water/weight loss will not be significantly affected. High humidity is necessary to prevent membranes drying and hardening before the hatch fully emerges. Hum
- During hatching the high humidity levels will fal
- The Brinsea Advance Humidity Pump is available as an option on the Octagon 20 Advance incubator. The incubator digital control system not only reads the humidity in the incubator but it provides a control signal to operate the water pump and accurately m
- Egg Setting
- The Octagon 20 Advance is designed to be as flexible as possible, accommodating eggs of different sizes up to (and including) goose eggs and in different orientations. Some experimentation may be necessary to maximise capacity.
- Before setting eggs ensure that the incubator has been run for several hours and has stabilised at the correct temperature.
- Set the eggs in rows between the wire loop dividers. The dividers must be positioned such that the eggs rest on the tray bottom and are not pressured by the bar. The dividers prevent the eggs rolling. Eggs may be set on end (or at an angle) provided th
- Once the eggs have been set the temperature must not be adjusted for 24 hours to allow the eggs to warm. Check the water level every 3 days or so and temperature daily. Candle the eggs after 1/3rd of the incubation period has elapsed to reject clear, inf
- Egg Turning
- Hatching
- If hatching in the Octagon 20 Advance unplug the Autoturn cradle, remove the incubator from the cradle, place on the work surface in the upright position and remove the egg dividers two days before the hatch is due.
- For maximum setting capacity, cleanliness, flexibility and performance a separate hatcher may be used. A second Brinsea Octagon 20, Octagon 10 or Hatchmaker incubators are recommended. Contact your dealer for details.
- Eggs nearing hatch are slightly less sensitive to
- Hatching humidity levels need to be high (see section 7 above) but note that the ventilation control must be at least 1/3rd open during hatching.
- When most eggs have hatched (12 to 48 hours) remove the hatchlings to a brooder. The Brinsea Cosylamp is ideal for poultry and waterfowl etc. The Brinsea TLC-4 Brooder is recommended for exotics.
- During hatching the high humidity levels will fal
- Cleaning Up
- IMPORTANT:
- DISCONNECT THE INCUBATOR AND BASE FROM THE MAINS POWER SUPPLY DURING CLEANING. RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK!
- ENSURE THAT ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS ARE KEPT DRY. DO NOT IMMERSE THE YELLOW BASE.
- NEVER WASH THE TRAYS, COVERS OR CABINET PARTS IN
- Periodically unscrew the six screws retaining the fan cover, remove the cover and soak. Dust and fluff may be removed from the fan and heater cord with a soft brush. USE NO LIQUIDS.
- If a separate hatcher is used the procedure above should still be followed every two months.
- The exterior of the incubator and Autoturn cradle may be cleaned with a damp cloth. Avoid allowing any moisture to get inside mechanical housings.
- Always clean the incubator before storage and ensure that the unit is totally dry inside and out.
- Servicing and Calibration
- In case of failure first check that the mains power supply is working and that the mains cable connector is fully engaged in the socket beneath the cable cover. The digital control system may be reset to the original factory defaults by connecting the po
- If the problem persists contact your distributor or Brinsea Products Service Dept.
- The functional parts of the Octagon 20 Advance are modular and parts are available and are readily exchanged by a suitably qualified person equipped with basic tools. Fitting instructions are supplied with replacement parts.
- The digital temperature and humidity display is individually calibrated during manufacture but may be re-calibrated if required. To ensure optimal performance return the incubator to Brinsea Products Service dept. for re-calibration every two years. It i
- 14 Troubleshooting
- Poor hatching results are frustrating and can be caused by a large number of factors. The most common are given below. Brinsea Products will not be held responsible for loss of eggs or chicks under any circumstances. However we will try to advise on incu
- Gather as much information from the hatching results as possible to enable the problem to be analysed in detail. Record dates that eggs are set, incubator settings, dates of hatches, weight losses and the number and condition of hatchlings. Candle or bre
- Specification
AD21 GB Issue 01
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10.1 The Autoturn cradle will continuously turn the incubator and eggs on an hourly cycle (through 90° and
back) while plugged into the mains supply. Some small intermittent movement due to play in the gears is
normal and does not cause harm. Lubrication of the plastic linkage with WD40 helps to ensure smooth,
silent movement.
10.2 Ensure that nothing can impede the movement of the incubator on the cradle (such as a mains cable or
having the incubator too close to a wall).
10.3 Altricial species such as parrots or birds of prey may benefit from additional manual turning through a
full 180° once or twice a day.
11 Hatching
11.1 If hatching in the Octagon 20 Advance unplug the Autoturn cradle, remove the incubator from the cradle,
place on the work surface in the upright position and remove the egg dividers two days before the hatch is
due.
11.2 For maximum setting capacity, cleanliness, flexibility and performance a separate hatcher may be used. A
second Brinsea Octagon 20, Octagon 10 or Hatchmaker incubators are recommended. Contact your
dealer for details.
11.3 Eggs nearing hatch are slightly less sensitive to temperature variation and the hatching temperature can be
reduced by up to 1°C (2°F) but this is not essential.
11.4 Hatching humidity levels need to be high (see section 7 above) but note that the ventilation control must
be at least 1/3rd open during hatching.
11.5 When most eggs have hatched (12 to 48 hours) remove the hatchlings to a brooder. The Brinsea
Cosylamp is ideal for poultry and waterfowl etc. The Brinsea TLC-4 Brooder is recommended for
exotics.
11.6 During hatching the high humidity levels will fall dramatically when the lid is lifted and will take some
time to build up. Resist the temptation to open the incubator frequently – leave for at least 6 hours
between inspections.
12 Cleaning Up
IMPORTANT:
DISCONNECT THE INCUBATOR AND BASE FROM THE MAINS POWER SUPPLY DURING
CLEANING. RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK!
ENSURE THAT ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS ARE KEPT DRY. DO NOT IMMERSE THE YELLOW BASE.
12.1 NEVER WASH THE TRAYS, COVERS OR CABINET PARTS IN LIQUIDS OVER 50°C (120°F). DO
NOT USE A DISHWASHER TO CLEAN TRAYS, INCUBATOR BASE OR LID. Following each hatch
in the Octagon 20 Advance remove and wash the egg tray and dividers in Brinsea Incubation Disinfectant
Solution. Wipe all other internal surfaces with a soft cloth soaked in the solution. Do not immerse the
hollow yellow base as fluid may become trapped inside. Ensure that the instructions supplied with the
fluid are followed.
12.2 Periodically unscrew the six screws retaining the fan cover, remove the cover and soak. Dust and fluff
may be removed from the fan and heater cord with a soft brush. USE NO LIQUIDS.
THE INCUBATOR MUST NOT BE USED WITHOUT THE FAN COVER FITTED. RISK OF
ELECTRIC SHOCK!