HEKA Favorit-Olymp 1500 User manual

Operating Manual for
HEKA Incubators
HEKA-Brutgeräte
Langer Schemm 290
D-33397 Rietberg
Tel.: +49 52 44 / 17 18
Fax: +49 52 44 / 1 01 59
E-Mail: [e-mail]
HEKA-Favorit-Olymp 1500
HEKA-Favorit-Olymp 2200
HEKA-Favorit-Olymp 1500/S
HEKA-Favorit-Olymp 2100/S
HEKA-Favorit-Olymp 2200/S

2
Preface
The purpose of this manual is to familiarise the reader with the incubator
and provide instructions on use.
The operating manual contains important information for the safe,
economic, and correct operation of the incubator. Compliance with this
manual helps to avoid dangers, minimise repair costs and downtime, and
increase the reliability and service life of the machine.
The operating manual is suitable for adding environmental protection
regulations to the instructions on the basis of existing national accident
prevention regulations.
The operating manual must always be kept at the place of deployment of
the incubator. All individuals who are authorised to work with the
incubator must read and observe the operating manual. This includes
instructions in the following areas:
●Operation
●Troubleshooting
●Care and maintenance
●Transport
The operator must ensure that only authorised persons work with the
incubator. The operator must check the incubator for externally visible
damage and defects on a daily basis. Moreover, the operator must
promptly report any changes that impair the safety. This also includes
changes in the operating behaviour. The incubator may only be operated
if its condition is flawless.
As a matter of principle, safety equipment must not be removed or
disabled.
Should it be necessary to remove safety equipment during preparation,
repair, or maintenance, the safety equipment must be reinstalled
immediately upon completion of the maintenance or repair work.
The manufacturer does not assume any liability for damages resulting
from unauthorised modification of the incubator.
All safety information and warnings on the incubator must be observed.
In addition to the information in the operating manual, the generally
applicable safety and accident prevention regulations must also be
complied with.

3
Structure of the safety instructions
All safety instructions have a uniform structure:
Pictogram (indicates the type of danger)
Caution! (indicates the severity of the danger)
Information (describes the danger and how it can be avoided)
Pictogram
Signal word
Meaning
Consequences of non-
observance
Danger!
Imminent danger to persons
Very severe to fatal
injury
General
danger
Warning!
Potentially very dangerous
situation for persons
Very severe to fatal
injury
Dangerous
electric
voltage
Caution!
Potentially dangerous situation
for persons
Minor injury
Attention!
Potential damage to property
Damage to the device
Useful information or tip
Other notes in the operating manual
Caution!
Risk of injury due to hot surface!
Warning pointing to a risk of injury to the operator from hot
surfaces.
Please read and observe the operating manual.
Disconnect the power plug before opening the device.

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General safety instructions!
Caution!
Non-observance of the following safety precautions can result in
bodily injury or damage to the incubator.
Apart from the notes listed below, please also observe the
general safety and accident prevention regulations.
Read the operating manual!
Do not start using the incubator until you have read the
associated operating manual.
●Do not operate the incubator on the ground. Keep a minimum
distance of 50 cm from the ground!
●Do not use the incubator outdoors.
●Do not place the incubator in direct sunlight (counts also for
storage and transport).
●Before connecting the incubator, compare the voltage of the power
supply with the voltage on the type plate.
●In accordance with the intended use, the incubator may only be
used to incubate eggs.
●Never operate the incubator if any part(s) are damaged, if it does
not function properly, or if you suspect damage.
●Defective power cables may only be replaced by the manufacturer,
its customer service, or a similarly qualified person.
●Maintenance work may only be performed by appropriately trained
personnel.
●Repair work and special maintenance work may only be performed
by authorised personnel (manufacturer's personnel) or
appropriately trained personnel.
●Work on the electrical equipment may only be performed by
qualified electricians and persons instructed in electrical
engineering (see DIN VDE 0105).
●Working on live parts and equipment is not permitted.
●Conversion or modification of the incubator is not permitted.

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Table of contens
Preface .................................................................................... 2
Structure of the safety instructions.............................................. 3
General safety instructions.......................................................... 4
Table of contents ........................................................................ 5
1Description ........................................................................... 7
2Setup and connection........................................................... 8
2.1 Loading the incubator...........................................................10
3Operating the incubator...................................................... 11
3.1 Control elements / control panel ..........................................11
3.2 Switching on/off....................................................................11
3.3 Switching the light on ...........................................................11
4Programming and settings.................................................. 12
4.1 Temperature.........................................................................12
4.2 Humidity ...............................................................................13
4.3 Cooling-Temperature ...........................................................13
4.4 Alarm-Temperature..............................................................13
4.5 Cool-Down-Cycle .................................................................14
4.6 Cool-Down-Length ...............................................................14
4.1 Turning (not available in hatchers HEKA Favorit-Olymp 1500/S,
2100/S und 2200/S) .............................................................15
5Tips for successful incubatoin............................................. 16
5.1 Incubation temperature ........................................................16
5.2 Humidity ...............................................................................16
5.3 Turning the eggs ..................................................................18
5.4 Cooling the eggs ..................................................................19
5.5 Inserting the hatching eggs..................................................20
5.6 Putting the eggs into the hatching-trays...............................20
7. Shutting-down after incubation ........................................... 21
6Maintenance and care........................................................ 21
6.1 Incubation or hatching chamber...........................................21
6.2 Technical compartment........................................................22
6.3 Float-Valve...........................................................................22
6.4 Replacing the power-cable...................................................23
7FAQs –frequent questions................................................. 24

6
8Disposal..............................................................................25
9CE- Declaration of conformity .............................................26
10 Appendix: Analysis of mistakes at incubation / bad hatching27
11 Appendix: Incubation periods..............................................28

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1 Description
HEKA-FAVORIT-OLYMP incubators are made of plastic and consist of a
two-compartment housing:
The upper part contains the technic (distribution, control, fan, heater, and
water supply), and the lower part the incubation or hatching chamber with
trays.
The HEKA-FAVORIT-OLYMP models are equipped with a
microprocessor control. The temperature, humidity, cooling-temperature,
alarm-temperature, cool-down-cycle and cool-down-length are displayed
in large red illuminated digits.
Serially the motorised incubators feature the following equipment:
automatic turning mechanism (not in hatchers), automatic humidity
control, double thermostat with alarm trigger, thermopane glazing.
1
2
3
Microprocessor-
Control
Incubation
Chamber
Turning-Trays

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1.1 Specifications
Model
HEKA-FAVORIT-
OLYMP
1500
2200
1500/S
2100/S
2200/S
Height in cm
148
178
113
137
195
Broadth in cm
137
137
148
148
137
Depth in cm
58
58
87
87
58
Weight ca. in kg
110
135
100
125
145
Power supply
230 V / 50 Hz
Power demand
ca. in Watt (W)
1000
1300
1000
1000
1300
2 Setup and connection
The incubator is ready to be connected.
The incubator must be set up as follows:
●Horizontal position
●Must not shake
●Door(s) must open easily
●Must not be set up outdoors and must be at least 50 cm above the
ground
●Must be protected from direct sunlight
●There must be at least 5 cm of free space above the device in order
to allow air circulation.
●The environment of the incubator should be well ventilated.
●The ventilation slots must not be covered.
A power supply (230 V / 50 Hz) must be available at the installation site.
The incubator must not be connected to an offgrid-inverter, which are
used in autonomous power-supply like solar-electricity-power-supply.
For the water-intake of the water-cooling (right water-tap) and
humidification (middle water-tap) there must be connected those water-
taps with water-tubes to your water-mains (1-5bar). The water must be
clean and not calcareous, because otherwise the magnetic valve for
water-intake can become dirty, which could lead to malfunctions in
switching on/off the water-intake. In case of doubt, install a filter and/or
decalcification between the water-mains and the water-intake of the

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incubator. The water-outtake is effected by the left water-tap –lead this
water with a water-tube into a tailrace-pool.
Serially, the incubator is equpped with water-canister and the matching
brass-float-valve for low-pressure. The water canister must be filled with
distillated water and placed in a position above the incubator (directly
onto the top of the incubator or –better –hanging above the incubator).
To enable the water to flow freely, make sure there are no air
bubbles in the connection hose.
The ideal ambient temperate is 10°C - 20°C. However, smooth function
is also guaranteed at an ambient temperature of 5°C - 30°C. Even at
ambient temperatures of 40°C these incubators are successfully in use,
even if a lower temperature is absolutely recommended.
The humidity must be suitable for the intended purpose. Attention must
be paid to the indoor humidity in particular if it is necessary to achieve a
low humidity value in the device; the device can humidify but not reduce
the humidity. If you choose the correct installation site, humidity values
between 35-45% and 85-95% can be reached.
After setting up the device, check the incubation chamber and remove
any items such as the thermometer and other accessories that were
ordered and stored in the incubation chamber during transport.
After removing all foreign items from the incubation chamber, you can
connect the device to the mains.

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2.1 Loading the incubator
Pres the on/off-button
Ein/Aus
The incubator is switched off.
Check:
If "Off", the dot is illuminated in the display
module.
HEKA-Favorit-Olymp 1500, 2200
In these models, the turning frame is
electrically positioned horizontally. To
activate this process, press the top button on
the right-hand side of the control. After
charging the device with the hatching eggs
the turning frame will remain in the horizontal
position. The turning process will
automatically be resumed.
Open the door, take out the turning-tray,
charge the turning tray –and then put it back
into the aluminium-frame carefully.
Close the door and switch-on the incubator.
Pres the on/off-button
Ein/Aus
The incubator is switched on.
Check:
When the incubator is "On", the actual
temperature appears in the display module,
and the fan(s) start(s) running.

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3 Operating the incubator
3.1 Control elements / control panel
1
2
3
4
5
6
0
Only dot: „ready“
otherwise: decimal-point
Display for values (°C und %)
and time (minutes or hours)
LED-indicators
Light on/off and in adjust-
mode: save
Select program and
set values
Display of the
current value
Power on/off
3.2 Switching on/off
Press the on/off-button
Ein/Aus
Power on/off
Check:
When "On", the actual temperature is
displayed in the display module. The
control status is displayed by the LED
indicators.
In the active state, the corresponding LED
flashes.
LED lit: the heater is not heating
LED flashing: the heater is heating
3.3 Switching the light on
Press S
The interior light is switched on.
The lamp automatically goes off after 1
minute.
The light phase is limited to 1 minute in order to prevent
excessive emission of heat to eggs close to the lamp.
For a shorter lighting period:
Press S
The lamp goes off immediately.

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4 Programming and settings
As a general rule, you need to press the ↑- or ↓- button to select the
desired value for programming.
The current actual values appear in the right-hand digital display field
under temperature and humidity. The humidity display is marked by the
decimal point.
For the cooling-temperature, alarm-temperature, cool-down-cycle and
cool-down-length the stored values are displayed.
In the basic mode, the display always shows the actual temperature.
Button F
The stored value is displayed.
Button ↑or ↓
Set the desired value.
Button S drücken
The new value is saved.
Check:
On the display, "SSS" appears for about 0.5
seconds.
The new value is saved permanently and will be retained even in the
event of a power failure.
4.1 Temperature
Press button F
The target temperature is displayed.
The target value is 36°C to 39°C
Press button ↑or ↓
Set new target value:
↑= higher temperature
↓= lower temperature
Press button S
The new value is stored permanently.
Check:
On the display, "SSS" appears for about 0.5
seconds.
Press button F
The stored value is checked.
Press button F
The control returns to the normal starting
position.

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4.2 Humidity
Press button ↑or ↓
Until the"Humidity" LED is lit
Press button F
The stored target value is displayed.
Press button ↑or ↓
Sets new target value:
↑= higher humidity
↓= lower humidity
Press button S
The new value is stored permanently.
Check:
On the display, "SSS" appears for about 0.5
seconds.
Press button F
The stored value is checked.
Press button F
The control returns to the normal starting
position.
4.3 Cooling-Temperature
The adjustment takes place as described under "Temperature". The
cooling-temperature must be set at least 0,1°C higher than the
incubation-temperature. If the cooling-temperature is reached, the water-
cooling is activated. If the incubation-temperature then falls again below
the cooling-temperature, the cooling is deactivated –the cooling-effect
leads to temperature falling by 0,3°C until the microprocessor-control
then again precisely regulates the temperature.
4.4 Alarm-Temperature
The adjustment takes place as described under "Temperature". The
alarm-temperature should be set at lesat 0,5°C above the incubation-
temperature.
Caution!
If the incubator goes up to the set alarm-temperature, the
emergency cutdown is activated and all heating-elements are
deactivated until the alarm is reset.
Reset the alarm
Press the on/off-button Ein/Aus 2x : the alarm disappears.

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An alarm can be caused, if the door is opened for too long;
because heat and humidity escapes and the temperature and
humidity sensors detect incorrect values.
The microprocessor now attempts to compensate for the low
values and this causes the heating systems to heat up
considerably. After closing the door, the extremely hot heating
elements take effect and this causes an excess temperature for
a few minutes so that an alarm is triggered.
Caution!
Switch off the incubator before opening the incubator doors in
order to prevent the alarm from being triggered as described
above.
Press the on/off-button Ein/Aus : the device is off
4.5 Cool-Down-Cycle
The setting is as described previously for "Humidity".
The display is in hours.
Example:Cooling time = 12
The eggs are cooled 2x a day (every 12 hours).
Cooling time = 24
The eggs are cooled 1x a day (every 24 hours).
Caution!
The cooling period must be set.
Cooling does not occur if you do not set
a cool-down-length (value: 0; see below)
4.6 Cool-Down-Length
The adjustment takes place as described under "Humidity". The values
are displayed in minutes (adjustment range: 10 –120 minutes).
The cooling period is the time during which the heaters are turned off.
The cooling period of the incubator depends heavily on the ambient
temperature.
Normally, cooling is not performed at the hatching
stage.Therefore, the cooling period should be set to 0 minutes
during this time.
Caution!
Do only use the automatic cool-down, if the water-cooling is not

15
necessary. Because the cool-down only switches off the
heating-elements, the cool-down has no effect and there is even
risk, that the temperature rises at cool-down. Then, cool-down
manually by opening the door (switch-off the incubator!) and/or
taking out the trays.
4.1 Turning (not available in hatchers HEKA Favorit-Olymp
1500/S, 2100/S und 2200/S)
Turning-Timer
1
2
3
4
5
1 Setting = clock-symbol
(don’t change position!)
2 Minute hand
3 Hour hand
The turning-timer is preset to 12 turnings per day, so that you don’t have
to change these settings. If you want to change settings, consider the
following hints:
Set with the minute hand (2) the right time; the hour hand slides
automatically with every turning of the minute hand.
With every change of impressed and expressed riders one turning is
executed; i.e. for the preset/advised turning every 2 hours, there must be
impressed and expressed in change each 8 riders. If you want to set (for
example) only hourly turning (= 24 turnings per day), there must be
impressed and expressed always each 4 riders.
Please not, that serially the turning can’t be deactivated, because the
incubators are not designed for hatching. To take out the trays for
candling, weighing or putting the eggs into hatching-trays, read chapter
2.1.
If desired, we can install a switch for deactivating the turning. Then you
can activate/deactivat the turning after having brought the turning-frame
into horizontal position like described in chapter 2.1.

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5 Tips for successful incubatoin
5.1 Incubation temperature
Generally, we recommend a temperature of 37,8°C. For incubating
bantam, quails or pheasants (partly also ducks and geese) we
recommend 37,5-37,6°C - for raptors, parrots and parakeet a
temperature of 37,0-37,2°C. If different (poultry-)eggs are incubated
together, you should set a temperature of 37,7-37,8°C. Ostriches, rheas
and nandus are an exception with much less temperature.
5.2 Humidity
Apart from the temperature, the incubation humidity plays a significant
role for the incubation results. During incubation, every egg must lose
weight. The weight loss must amount to at least 15% of the fresh egg. A
weight loss of 17% is ideal. You can check this with a special accuracy
weighing machine –breeders of very valuable (and thus mostly sensitive,
difficult to incubate) animals weigh every single egg every day and adjust
the humidity according to the weight-loss to come to 100% hatching
success (the higher humidity, the less weight-loss; and vice versa).
With the weight-loss comes along a steadily
growing air cell. This can be checked with a
candling-lamp to adjust the humidity (if neces-
sary; the less humidity, the bigger the air cell).
The air cell must be steadily growing over the
complete time of incubating –until shortly before
hatching it takes about one-third of the egg.
Fig.: Optimum size of the air cell in a
chicken-egg (incubation-length: 21 days)
Due to the different characteristics of the eggshell, a different humidity
is necessary for various kinds of fowl to come to the right weight-loss
and size of the air cell. For example, a chicken egg (at the same
humidity) loses weight much more slowly than a waterfowl egg.
The weight-loss even varies for chicken of different types, which means
that the eggs normally should be incubated at different humidity levels.
The weight loss is also determined by the size of the egg. In practice
incubating with different values of humidity mostly is not possible. Thus,
we recommend well-proven mean values, which experiantal lead to
very good hatching-results:

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Chicken and bantam eggs
53 %
Goose eggs
57 –58 %
Duck eggs
60 –63 %
Pheasant eggs
48 –53 %
Quail eggs
53 %
Ostrich eggs
19 –23 %
Emu eggs
40-45 %
Rhea eggs
53-58 %
But please note, that there are also considerably outliers because of
the characteristics of the eggshell (e.g. Marans: 40-45%) and/or the
climate of their natural habitat (e.g. Crested-partridge 65-70%; Muscovy
ducks 50-55%).
For parakeet and parrot eggs general recommendations are not
possible, because the required humidity varies extremely. The required
humidity depends on the location of their natural breeding areas (humid
tropics or dry savanna). For incubating species from very arid/dry
habitats normally you need a humidity as low as possible (viz.: no water
in the incubator/water basin; air-vent(s) fully open). Only in the hatching
stage the humidity is raised as normal.
In case of failing water-supply to the incubator (because of
missing water in the tank or stuck valve) you must set the
humidity to „0“, because otherwise the alarm will be activated.
When you take eggs out of the incubator for weighing or candling
and thus you switched on the light –don’t forget to switch it off
again.
Light should not be switched on (when door closed) longer than 5
minutes.

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5.3 Turning the eggs
Expert opinions vary considerably concerning the turning interval.
The purpose of turning the eggs is to prevent the embryo from sticking to
the egg and dying. This objective already is reached by turning the eggs
three times within 24 hours. On the other hand, practical experience has
shown that continuous turning at intervals of 2 hours (setting: turning-
cycle 120, turning 3) has an extremely positive effect on the incubation
results.
Chicken eggs must be turned from the third day after insertion, and duck
and goose eggs from the fourth day.
In the last 3-4 (depending on the incubation period) of hatching, the
turning must be deactivated (setting: turning-cycle 120, turning-length 0).
Though this is not necessary, the hatching eggs can be turned
from the first day without being damaged.

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5.4 Cooling the eggs
In this field, too, experts express different opinions.
However, it is undisputed that the eggs of wildfowl and waterfowl must be
cooled. The cooling strengthens the embryo in the egg. The cooling
period depends heavily on the ambient temperature.
As a general rule, wildfowl and waterfowl must be cooled once a day, at
least to an extent that the egg no longer feels warm and the temperature
display drops below 30°C.
Especially when incubating goose eggs, cooling is an important factor
that has a decisive effect on the hatching result.
We recommend cooling goose eggs once a day from the 11th to the 27th
incubation day (when incubation period is 30 days). The cooling-length
should be at least 30 minutes, though longer cooling phases are not
detrimental.
If the device stands in a temperate room, a cooling period of
about 60-90 minutes is necessary.
For a hen's eggs, cooling in HEKA-EURO-LUX incubators is not
absolutely necessary, but recommended.
The strengthening of the embryo results in a shorter hatching phase,
both for wildfowl and for waterfowl.
The cooling times are shorter for chicken eggs.
We recommend 20-30 minutes.
Generally, we consider one cooling cycle per day to be sufficient.
Airing by opening the door is not necessary in HEKA incubators. The
incubated eggs are supplied with an adequate amount of oxygen by the
fan(s) and the air-vent(s).
For good hatching results, it actually makes sense to keep the device
closed whenever possible and only to open it if you need to take some
action such as candling, weighing, reloading, etc.

20
5.5 Inserting the hatching eggs
After setting the correct humidity and temperature values, place the eggs
(horizontal or slightly vertical with air cell on top) on the incubation trays
in the incubator.
Attention!
Handle the hatching eggs with care. Especially hatching eggs
whose incubation process has started are very sensitive.
Please make sure that the eggs are not too old. (max. 10 - 14 days). If
you store the eggs more than 4-5 days: daily turn the eggs, don’t store
too dry, optimum temperature: 12-15°C.
5.6 Putting the eggs into the hatching-trays
3 days before the date of hatching the eggs should be put into the
hatching trays or into the hatcher; the eggs must not be turned
anymore. Switch off the turning. In the hatching stage all eggs need a
higher humidity than in the incubation stage. Humidity should be 20-
25% higher than before in the incubation stage (e.g. from 53% to 73-
78%). Raising of the humidity should be made in steps. First day 10%
more, next day again 10% more –and when the chicks begin to come
out of the eggs again some percentage more.
Don’t raise the humidity to more than 90% - otherwise there’s risk
of chicks not drying and having water (condensed) on the bottom
of the incubator. When the pane of a double-glass door begins to
steam up, reduce the humidity a bit. Only for waterfowl and other
eggs, which already needed very high humidity in the stage of
incubating, it can be necessary or helpful to have such a high
humidity (of 80-90%), that the double-glass pane begins to steam
up.
If you use simple hatching trays (without cover), place them
central, so that to the door and to the back you just have little
space left. Nevertheless, with very agile chicks it can happen,
that some hop over the edge of the hatching tray. To avoid risk of
drowning in the water basin, cover the water basin with mesh-
wire or net –or alternatively use our pedigree-hatching-trays with
cover and partitions.