Sweet mini-fridge for free!

I posted a "wanted: broken/old mini-fridge" on craigslist, and got a really nice one for free! :gj:

Now what?? I saved one link on converting them into incubators, but the instructions are a little confusing... does anyone have a SIMPLE plan for doing this, preferably one that doesn't require removing freon & fancy tools? Here are some photos of the fridge - how many clutches do you think I'll be able to put in here? And what size flexwatt strip/s should I get?

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCN0111.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCN0106.jpg

Do I have to remove all of this?
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/DSCN0113.jpg

YouTube - Incubator.mp4

Thats a vid on youtube of one made from a standup freezer, the closest I could find currently to a semi- step by step process. I have a mini fridge as well that I'm wanting to make into a incubator, for me the most difficult part will be putting a fan in. It all is quite simple but maybe a tad more difficult when I actually get down to it.

I couldnt really tell you about the whole removing the freon thing, I dont see why it is necessary if you dont have to plug in the fridge, in that guys case he would have to remove it to make use of the built in fan without cooling the inside, but in a broken or whatnot fridge I dont see the need to remove it. Anyone who knows why you remove it is very welcome to chime in :)

Awesome fridge!

I wouldn't remove the stuff on the back unless it is very important to you to get rid of it; personally, if I was going to get it taken off I'd get a professional to drain the Freon first, for environmental and personal safety reasons, but that's just me. There is a great link about converting a fridge to an incubator somewhere around here... Will edit to add the link.

Be sure to update when you're done your conversion!

EDIT: Here ya go: http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/incubator.shtml

I just realized that the link I just posted is probably the one you said was confusing. Doh!

If you want a simple plan, here it is:

1. Put some flexwatt in there
2. Put an AC fan in there
3. Hook up a thermostat (in there?)
4. Drill a hole in the side and run all the cords outta there, then tape over that hole
5. Put some egg bins in there
6. Wait a bit
7. ???
8. Success!

Yeah, it probably was the same link... thanks for the simple explanation! :gj:

Only thing I don't quite understand is the A/C fan - what is that, where do I get it, and how would it be installed? Sorry, us San Franciscans don't do air-conditioning... to us that means opening a window, LOL. :oops::D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Sorry, us San Franciscans don't do air-conditioning... to us that means opening a window, LOL. :oops::D

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I could do the same thing right now for refridgeration. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lolo76

Only thing I don't quite understand is the A/C fan - what is that, where do I get it, and how would it be installed?

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Should be able to find one anywhere they sell electronic components... Radioshack, etc. The reason you want an AC fan (rather than a DC fan like the ones for computers) is because you can wire it just like flexwatt; use an old extension cord with the female end cut off and wire it right to the fan. If you use a DC fan you need an adaptor. Shouldn't be that hard to find a DC fan and an adaptor, but I think it will be simpler and cheaper to just find an AC fan. I have to do the same thing in the next couple weeks! Good luck :)

I'll be converting a fridge the season too. I'm glad you put this up. I was wondering if I needed to take all the stuff off the back as well. You can get all sorts of computer fans off Ebay for cheap. If you know how to wire flexwatt you can wire the fan.

Hooking up the DC computer fans is a piece of cake.

Just take an old cell phone charger or something similar that has the AC/DC converter built into it. Cut off the adapter on the end, connect the two wires for your fan to it, and its done.

I converted a full size stand-up freezer. The mini-fridge shouldn't be too difficult. Not sure how easy that upper freezer portion is to remove though.

You should probably start by having the freon evacuated though. Not entirely necessary, but it does make one less thing to worry about and allows you to totally gut it out.

Nice pick up, let us know how it turns out!

I went to three different appliance stores to ask about removing freon from a fridge. Let's just say I was quite surprised at what they all told me to do. Needless to say I didn't take their advice.

I scored this one a few years ago.It works great.
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/3942/sscn0078.jpg
It has a nice double pane glass door.Was a wine cooler.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mike m

I scored this one a few years ago.It works great.
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/3942/sscn0078.jpg
It has a nice double pane glass door.Was a wine cooler.

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How did that work? is it well insulated?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mike m

I scored this one a few years ago.It works great.
http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/3942/sscn0078.jpg
It has a nice double pane glass door.Was a wine cooler.

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Awesome... can you tell me how you converted it?

Getting some good advice from everyone, but I'm still feeling a bit confused - seriously guys/gals, I'm so non-handy that even the simple instructions have me worried. Hooking up AC fans to phone chargers, wiring flexwatt, etc?? Oy vey. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Isis

I'll be converting a fridge the season too. I'm glad you put this up. I was wondering if I needed to take all the stuff off the back as well. You can get all sorts of computer fans off Ebay for cheap. If you know how to wire flexwatt you can wire the fan.

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I don't know how to wire flexwatt, since I bought all of mine pre-wired... whoops. :oops:

Wiring the fan will be even easier than wiring flexwatt.

Your fan will (hopefully) have two wires coming out of it. Take your cell phone charger (or similar) if it's a DC fan (ie. computer fan) or your extension cord with the female end cut off (if it's an AC fan) and strip some of the wire off each. Take one end of the wire from the fan and twist it with one of the wires from the extension cord. Repeat with second wire. WITHOUT HOLDING ON TO THE EXPOSED WIRES plug it in. If the fan turns on, golden, if not, switch the wires around. Once it's working, electrical tape around the exposed wire and you're all set.

I'm sure there are lots of guides for this on the net somewhere, but really, as long as you have a fan and an appropriate cord it will be super easy.