Flexwatt Question

Hey Guys,

I am in the midst of building a DIY incubator out of this wine cooler.

http://images.canadianlisted.com/nla...er_5352243.jpg

My question to you guys is what size of flexwatt should I be using to heat it. My options are:

a) 17" - 16W
b) 11" - 20W
c) 3" - 10W
d) 4" - 8W

for those of you who have experience with this sort of thing. What did you find worked well and what do you recomend that I use?

The measurements of the wine cooler are approx - 33"h X 19"w x 22"d

Thanks Ladies and Gents.

One response in almost 10 hours LOL. Make sure to comment guys, I always thank people that help me out.

Cheers.

I voted 11X12 because I've used it in mini fridges with good success and use it in my large incubators, but I do have friends that use 3 and 4 inch flexwatt in small incs and have no issues.
11x12 inch puts heat out over a larger area, just make sure to get a fan set up so you can circulate air and some water bottles to help stabilize temperatures.
I use a rheostat on my fans, it helps to fine tune the temps so that they are even from top to bottom.

Why is everyone killing their wine coolers?

I recommend going with the 11" which is what I use in my incubator.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Why is everyone killing their wine coolers?

---

:rofl:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

I voted 11X12 because I've used it in mini fridges with good success and use it in my large incubators, but I do have friends that use 3 and 4 inch flexwatt in small incs and have no issues.
11x12 inch puts heat out over a larger area, just make sure to get a fan set up so you can circulate air and some water bottles to help stabilize temperatures.
I use a rheostat on my fans, it helps to fine tune the temps so that they are even from top to bottom.

---

I was thinking this too. Thank you so much for the advice. (That goes for everyone) - I was also thinking that I would go with the 11" - do you think I should go 12" or 24"L??

I never thought about putting the fans on a control device - do you think a dimmer switch would do the same thing or is there any benefit to purchasing a legit rheostat?

Thanks :)

I used 2 feet in my 4 cubic foot mini fridge, with these small incubators I think a little over kill on a good proportional thermostat is better than using too little flexwatt.

Dimmers and rheostats are the same, I use a zoo-med rheostat because my fan has a plug in feature, but for a computer fan I'd probably go with a dimmer switch because you'll be wiring it up anyways.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

I used 2 feet in my 4 cubic foot mini fridge, with these small incubators I think a little over kill on a good proportional thermostat is better than using too little flexwatt.

Dimmers and rheostats are the same, I use a zoo-med rheostat because my fan has a plug in feature, but for a computer fan I'd probably go with a dimmer switch because you'll be wiring it up anyways.

---

sounds great - thanks for the advice :)

I recently found a nearly identical wine cooler on craigslist for $20 (Not working of course). What a steal! I finished gutting it about a week ago, and was about to order the flex watt. Figured I would jump on for advice, as I too was wondering this exact same question.

Love this forum!

Thanks for helping out everyone!