Brinsea CONTAQ Z6 User manual

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Operating Instructions

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Contents
Contents....................................................................................................................................................2
1Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
2Unpacking........................................................................................................................................5
3Storage of Eggs................................................................................................................................5
4Modes of Operation .........................................................................................................................6
5Setting Up Your Contaq Z6.............................................................................................................6
5.1 Location ..................................................................................................................................6
5.2 Humidity Sensor .....................................................................................................................7
5.3 Contact Mode..........................................................................................................................7
5.4 Forced Draft Mode..................................................................................................................8
5.5 Conveyor Assembly................................................................................................................9
5.6 Setting Eggs ..........................................................................................................................11
5.7 Rear Panel Connections ........................................................................................................13
5.8 Incubation Settings................................................................................................................13
6Temperature...................................................................................................................................15
7Humidity........................................................................................................................................16
8Turning ..........................................................................................................................................18
9Cooling ..........................................................................................................................................20
10 Hatching.........................................................................................................................................20
11 Servicing and Cleaning..................................................................................................................21
11.1Humidity Pump Tube............................................................................................................21
12 Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................22
12.1 Poor Hatching Results...........................................................................................................22
13 Technical Fault Finding.................................................................................................................23
13.1 Engineering (ENG) Mode: -..................................................................................................23
13.2 System Values.......................................................................................................................25
13.3 Temperature Calibration .......................................................................................................26
14 Specification ..................................................................................................................................28

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1Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the most advanced egg incubator available. The
Contaq Z6 has been designed to allow the best possible environment for your eggs to
incubate and hatch. These instructions detail the operation of your new Contaq
incubator, incorporating Contact Incubation Technology (CIT). Please read them
carefully before setting up the incubator in order to achieve best results.
A background into CIT
The method of contact incubation technology is actually as old as the birds themselves
–but what is new is the unique way the method is applied to this Contaq machine.
The Theory Behind the Product
Contact incubation is based on the natural incubation process. The most striking
difference between natural and artificial incubation is the fact that the natural parent
provides warmth by contact rather than surrounding the egg with warm air. This may
not at first sight seem significant but important research studies carried out by J. Scott
Turner at New York State University and the University of Cape Town has revealed
major unsuspected differences in thermal behaviour of eggs incubated by contact
rather than convection. Crucially, eggs in a forced draft incubator have near uniform
temperature throughout incubation; there will be some increase in embryonic
temperature towards the end of incubation as a result of increased metabolism but
otherwise the whole egg will remain near incubator air temperature. By contrast, eggs
incubated naturally or by contact, have significant temperature differences. Heat is
entering the egg over a relatively small brood patch, which is therefore warmer than
other regions of the egg, and is being lost from most of the remaining shell area which
is cooler.
In contact incubation, the embryo temperature tends to fall at later stages of
incubation as a result of the embryo’s own blood circulation which becomes
significantly more important than embryonic metabolism in determining temperature
distribution and heat flow within the egg, quite contrary to previous understanding
which assumed metabolism to be dominant and cause egg temperature to rise. The
inevitable fact that the embryo grows larger and must move from its original position
on top of the yolk sack downwards in the egg to cooler regions also tends to reduce
embryonic temperature as incubation progresses. These important findings emphasise
surprising differences between natural and artificial incubation, but there are others.

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Eggs in nature are certainly subjected to a cycle of warming and cooling coupled with
ventilation as the parent bird leaves the nest to feed and defend territory, etc.
The Contaq incubator should be viewed as replacing the natural Bird and Nest
combination. The pressurised ‘skin’ mimics the functions of an incubating parent;
providing warmth by contact with the tops of eggs, but also the facility to lift from the
eggs periodically and in doing so, causes a substantial influx of fresh air in the manner
of a bird standing or leaving the nest.
The egg chamber substitutes for the ‘nest’ in providing a safe, protected environment
for the eggs, with provision for air to be induced through the nest material which
enables the operator to exercise control over the degree of ventilation of eggs. Nests
of different species have very different characteristics, particularly with respect to gas
permeability. This in turn affects water loss from eggs, so it is necessary to adjust the
amount of nest material accordingly. Where required, additional humidity is
introduced to the egg chamber automatically. The ideal combination of nest material
and humidity setting is best determined by weighing eggs and monitoring water loss.
The Contaq egg chamber also provides sophisticated provision for automatic turning
of eggs of different sizes. Egg turning coincides with lifting of the skin and enables
programmable fixed or random turns.
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Unpacking
Your Contaq incubator had been supplied in protective packaging. Please remove all
tape, strapping and packing material. Retain the carton and packing materials to
enable the unit to be repacked if need be.
The Contaq Z6 includes:
Item
Quantity
Item
Quantity
Contaq Incubator
1
Contaq Skin Panel
1
Conveyor Chassis
1
Air Filter Panel
1
Conveyor End Cover
1
Base Insulation Panel
1
Conveyor End Rollers
2
Hatching Tray / Lid
2
Conveyor Belts
3
Hatching Tray Lid Posts
4
Egg Rollers
12
Water Tube
1
Egg Dividers
7
Evaporation Material
2
Bag of Small O-Rings
1
Humidity Sensor
1
Large O-Rings
24
Spot-Check Thermometer
1
Mains Lead
1
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 this document). To register your new Brinsea product please
visit www.brinsea.co.uk and follow the link on the right hand side of the home page
to qualify for your free 2 year guarantee.
3Storage of Eggs
Always store eggs in cool, damp conditions. Most species may be safely stored for up
to 14 days before serious reductions in hatch rates are likely. Daily turning of stored
eggs also helps maintain hatchability.
Discard cracked, misshapen and heavily soiled eggs (if possible). Wash eggs using a
100:1 solution of Brinsea Incubation Disinfectant. Follow the instructions supplied. It
is essential to wash eggs in solution that is significantly warmer than the egg. Bear in
mind that all solutions will remove the outer cuticle from the egg as well as the dirt
and care must be taken to avoid re-contaminating the eggs during later inspection etc.

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4Modes of Operation
Your Contaq Z6 combines the proven benefits of Contact Incubation with the
additional flexibility of being a forced draft incubator and hatcher in one space-
efficient machine. Both modes of operation provide sophisticated control of egg
turning and cooling.
In Contact Mode the optimum temperature gradient across the eggs is created by the
warm contact skin and the relatively cool egg chamber. The nest environment may be
adapted to suit the species being incubated by the addition of layers of nest material to
provide increased humidity levels by evaporation.
In Forced Draft Mode the addition of an insulating panel in the base of the egg
chamber provides even temperature around the eggs and allows precise control of
relative humidity levels to optimise hatching conditions. The contact skin is simply
removed and replaced by an air filter panel to provide gentle air movement around the
eggs. An adjustable vent is provided on the rear panel to give further control of
humidity, this is usually left half open.
5Setting Up Your Contaq Z6
5.1 Location
Your incubator will give best results in a room free from wide temperature variations
and with generous ventilation –particularly if several incubators are running at the
same time. Ensure that the room temperature cannot drop on a cold night. Ideally
thermostatically control the room at between 20 and 25°C (68 and 77°F). Never allow
the room temperature to drop below 15°C (59°F) and ensure that the incubator cannot
be exposed to direct sunlight.
Place the incubator on a flat, level surface capable of supporting the weight of the
incubator (30kg).
If water addition for humidity control is required the water tube inlet is located on the
right hand side of the incubator adjacent to the water pump. Considerable water use
may be experienced in Contact Mode and a water reservoir of several litres capacity is
recommended.
Contac Z6 incubators may be stacked a maximum of 2 units high. The top machine
must be located squarely over the lower machine to ensure the weight is distributed
through the load bearing structure.

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5.2 Humidity Sensor
IMPORTANT:- For correct operation the humidity sensor must be fitted as shown.
Remove the drawer by sliding fully forward and releasing the spring catches on the
drawer slides. Note that the catches operate in opposite directions.
Plug the humidity sensor into its socket in the right hand wall of the egg chamber.
Ensure the sensor is the correct way up and pushed fully home into the socket. The
label “ETC” should be face down.
5.3 Contact Mode
Remove the drawer by sliding fully forward and releasing the spring catches on the
drawer slides. Note that the catches operate in opposite directions.
Place layers of Evaporating Material flat in the base of the incubation chamber. Two
layers may be required to achieve higher humidity levels, cover the large holes with
the material. Lay the water tube over the top of the material with its end near the
centre.

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Slide the Contact Skin Frame into the guides in the top of the incubation chamber.
Note that the frame is not square and will only push in fully when fitted the correct
way round. The frame will be a tight, sliding fit to ensure a good air seal. The black
felt should be on the top.
Replace the drawer by aligning the slides and pushing back in. The catches will
automatically engage to prevent accidental release.
5.4 Forced Draft Mode
Remove the drawer by sliding fully forward and releasing the spring catches on the
drawer slides. Note that the catches operate in opposite directions.
Place the Base Insulation Panel in the bottom of the incubation chamber and ensure it
fully covers all the large holes.
Place two layers of Evaporating Material into the recess in the top of the panel and lay
the water tube over the top of the material with its end near the centre.

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Slide the Air Filter Frame into the guides in the top of the incubation chamber. Note
that the frame is not square and will only push in fully when fitted the correct way
round. The frame will be a tight sliding fit to ensure a good air seal.
Replace the drawer by aligning the slides and pushing back in. The catches will
automatically engage to prevent accidental release.
5.5 Conveyor Assembly
Carefully slide the conveyor belt over the chassis.
Insert the large rollers into the ends of the belt.
Locate the roller ends into the bearings as shown (spring loaded bearings first, then
gently lever out the fixed bearings). The spring-loaded bearings provide tension in the
conveyor belt.
Spring-loaded Bearings Fixed Bearings

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The conveyor assembly may now be lowered into the drawer frame. Locate the end
cover down the first slot in the egg roller guides, it only fits one way round. Place one
of the flat egg dividers in the last slot in the egg roller guides to prevent any eggs
accidentally rolling off the back of the conveyor.
When the drawer is closed the conveyor automatically engages with the turning
system drive wheel.
IMPORTANT
When the drawer is closed both drawer handles must be turned fully clockwise
to ensure the drawer is locked in position and the air pressurisation system is
switched to the correct mode. Failure to observe this may result in the Contact
Skin remaining retracted and the eggs will not be warmed.
To open the drawer, turn both door handles counter-clockwise. A warning
buzzer sounds for 10 seconds while the air pressurisation system retracts the
Contact Skin. It is important to wait while the skin is lifted from the eggs to
prevent the eggs being dislodged as the drawer is opened. To maintain steady
temperature do not leave the drawer open for any longer than is absolutely
necessary.