ideas on an incubator.

I know breeding is a looong way off for me (since I don't even have my first python yet) but I was talking to my dad about making a incubator in the future. While we were talking I was hit with an idea. We have a pop cooler that doesn't get used much (mainly around holidays) and my dad said we could probably convert it into a incubator.
It has a clear glass door, 2 metal shelves and the 'floor', it also has a fan near the top on the back. I love that it has storage space underneath it as well :]
This is what it looks like (but without all the energy drinks)

http://www.bevnet.com/images/branddo...ter-cooler.jpg

Anyone have any genius ideas on how to make this into an incubator? If not we will just have to go by trial and error :) This would make one good looking incubator xD

That would make a great incubator! I know a couple people who use those. All you have to do is add some 11" Flexwatt to the sides, add a couple fans to circulate air, and add a thermostat to control temps. Bada boom bada bing!:gj:

Flexwatt and a thermostat. The glass door is a plus I think. I am using as freezer that I am installing flexwatt and a ranco thermostat in, along with some fans, but I wish I had a glass door so I wouldn't have to let out the heat to check on the eggs. I may have that figured out tho.

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Originally Posted by DM1975

Flexwatt and a thermostat. The glass door is a plus I think. I am using as freezer that I am installing flexwatt and a ranco thermostat in, along with some fans, but I wish I had a glass door so I wouldn't have to let out the heat to check on the eggs. I may have that figured out tho.

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I had a friend who used a Ranco on his incubator. Good thing he woke up in the middle of the night, for some odd reason, to discover it had failed and hi temps were up at 103.

Wow my shopping list is a lot less than what I thought it was going to be xD
1. 11" flexwatt
2. fans
3. thermostat
:gj:

Have fun. :D

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

I had a friend who used a Ranco on his incubator. Good thing he woke up in the middle of the night, for some odd reason, to discover it had failed and hi temps were up at 103.

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I use a ranco on my rack and it has been perfect up till my wife slammed a bed frame into it and it stopped working till I hit it again. No problems other than that with it though. I may go with a different one now tho.

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Originally Posted by DM1975

I use a ranco on my rack and it has been perfect up till my wife slammed a bed frame into it and it stopped working till I hit it again. No problems other than that with it though. I may go with a different one now tho.

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I've heard of that happening with Helixs' also though. I don't want to bash Ranco, I just figured I would share an experience with you to help in your decision making.

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Originally Posted by DM1975

I use a ranco on my rack and it has been perfect up till my wife slammed a bed frame into it and it stopped working till I hit it again. No problems other than that with it though. I may go with a different one now tho.

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Did you mean a different wife or ? Just kidding.

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Originally Posted by Royalherper

Did you mean a different wife or ? Just kidding.

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:D She said it was a mistake... At least that is what she said. :rolleyes:

With incubators its best to use herpstat as ranco or johnson has too much flucuations. you can get a herpstat for 114 shipped. As for flexwatt i wouldnt put too much in that small of a freezer.i would first start off with just 11" piece down the back of the cooler and see how that works. And 2 fans is all you would need in that small incubator.


heres picture of mine when i was still working on it. Its controlled by 11ft of 11" flexwatt and 6 80 mm fans. I use herpstat for my thermostat. Keep in mind this is a huge freezer.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...r/100_2684.jpg

Even though a ranco can be set to a 1 degree difference +/- it is still too much fluctuation? On my rack mine holds pretty well, but in a freezer I would think that it would have no problem holding that temp since it is not exposed to the open air temp the way my rack is.

I am not arguing, just asking.

I tested my incubator with johnson a419 and it was way too much and it was on and off a lot cause of that. You can try but youll feel more at ease with proportional t-stat. whats a extra $50 for a herpstat. Youll make that back with first clutch.

I see. I will probably take your advise on that unless anyone has anything else to say about it.

Ok so what are good thermostats? herpstat and what else? The herpstats seem kinda expensive but I want to invest in something that will work well for a long time.

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Originally Posted by twistedtails

I had a friend who used a Ranco on his incubator. Good thing he woke up in the middle of the night, for some odd reason, to discover it had failed and hi temps were up at 103.

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omg:O snakes for breakfast lucky him.

Personally, I will spend whatever I have to if the snakes need it, but that does not mean I will buy top dollar just to buy top dollar. If the Ranco is not sufficiant then I will get the Herpstat. Looking over the herpstat tho, it looks perfect for an incubator, so I guess I willl go with it either way.