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

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Originally Posted by JohnNJ

Why is everyone killing their wine coolers?

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:rofl:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

I have never made an incubator so am unqualified to comment. However the 17 inch flexwatt (I have used a bunch of this type) only will reach about 84-87ºF max no hotter.

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Originally Posted by SinCityBPs

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!

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I picked mine up for $40 lol

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I have never made an incubator so am unqualified to comment. However the 17 inch flexwatt (I have used a bunch of this type) only will reach about 84-87ºF max no hotter.

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great to know! Thank you for your input!

It seems like we have a consensus thank you ladies and gentlemen.

do you guys recomend making your own incubators ? i was thinking about doing this too but i have never had any eggs to incubate ( noobie) but how much sucess is there in these incubators this style ? it seems to be very functional and i do like the clear glass door idea !

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Originally Posted by varnoid

do you guys recomend making your own incubators ? i was thinking about doing this too but i have never had any eggs to incubate ( noobie) but how much sucess is there in these incubators this style ? it seems to be very functional and i do like the clear glass door idea !

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Hey there. I was conflicted with this too. i almost bought a $700 incubator. All the breeders that I know in person use their own home made incubators. One of them uses an old coca-cola refrigerator that they converted to hold 2 dozen clutches. As long as its done properly than its just as effective as a marketed incubator. Generally when you set it up you should let it run without any eggs in it for the length of time equal to the incubation period for the eggs you will have in it. For Ball Pythons you would let it run for 52 - 60 days to monitor the temps.

Cheers.

I have this same wine cooler style that a friend of mine at an Expo recently gave me. It is wired with 11" flexwatt, and a fan as you can see.

http://kurveballz.weebly.com/uploads...34515_orig.jpg

I have it connected to a zoo med 500R thermostat, still trying to figure it all out. Kinda confused on it all.....hey actually I think Ill ask the forum...lol

I love this forum and everyone on it. So nice and so intelligent! :gj: