Starting my incubator project!!

Just picked this wine chiller about an hr ago.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/19/aranabu2.jpg
The guy said it stopped cooling, he spent $775 on it in 2006. It is a VinoTemp 60 bottle unit. I picked it up for 35$! I know it wasn't free, but there are a bunch of ads on Craigslist in my area asking for beverage fridges and wine chillers. I got pretty lucky to grab this one up in time.
A couple nice features on the unit are the locking door!! ;)
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/19/bazynade.jpg
And digital temp display.
The funny thing is I got it home and plugged it in and it started cooling..... It would probably be wise of me to go over it and sell it for a profit..... But I'm finally happy to have one to convert to an incubator.
One problem I'm running into is the coil runs inside the unit, it forms the removable back section. I don't want to cut the tubing ( obvious reasons) but I'm not sure if I could just cover it with flexwatt. I unplugged the compressor from the control board, and am starting to plan my attack. If anyone has any suggestions about the back panel please let me know.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/19/asaqusuv.jpg

Here is a better shot of the back panel.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/19/rabypu2a.jpg

That is the exact same cabinet as I used for mine. It made a great incubator and held temps perfectly. Also it is cool to keep the light hooked up for when you open it. Take it to someone who can properly drain the coolant and then you can cut the tube and remove the panel from the back wall. You do not want to leave it or any of the compressor intact as it adds weight ( probably half of the total) and contains coolant. Here is a picture of mine.

I used an AC fan with a reastat that I bought off amazon for air circulation. I put bathroom caulk in all of the screw holes where I removed the panel and and shelf brackets. Also, you can use the racks but it is easier if you pickup some light diffuser at Lowes or HD and cut it to size and zip tie it to the shelves. That way you have a nice stable surface. Best of luck in the coming season.

[IMG]http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...cubator002.jpg[/IMG]

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Originally Posted by rlditmars

That is the exact same cabinet as I used for mine. It made a great incubator and held temps perfectly. Also it is cool to keep the light hooked up for when you open it. Take it to someone who can properly drain the coolant and then you can cut the tube and remove the panel from the back wall. You do not want to leave it or any of the compressor intact as it adds weight ( probably half of the total) and contains coolant. Here is a picture of mine.

I used an AC fan with a reastat that I bought off amazon for air circulation. I put bathroom caulk in all of the screw holes where I removed the panel and and shelf brackets. Also, you can use the racks but it is easier if you pickup some light diffuser at Lowes or HD and cut it to size and zip tie it to the shelves. That way you have a nice stable surface. Best of luck in the coming season.

[IMG]http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/...cubator002.jpg[/IMG]

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That's for the pic, I can't wait to get OT started. I have some ac fans I'm setting up at work, I'm building a frame for them and doing their wiring out side the unit.
I'm heading to hamburg this weekend to pick up some 11" flexwatt and hopefully find a nice used herpstat for around 100$. I found one locally, a HS 2 for 150$, but can't really swing that right now. But it's a good deal I think, I may have to jump on it.

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Originally Posted by BleedingOrange36

That's for the pic, I can't wait to get OT started. I have some ac fans I'm setting up at work, I'm building a frame for them and doing their wiring out side the unit.
I'm heading to hamburg this weekend to pick up some 11" flexwatt and hopefully find a nice used herpstat for around 100$. I found one locally, a HS 2 for 150$, but can't really swing that right now. But it's a good deal I think, I may have to jump on it.

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You can get a new Herpstat intro for $99 they are great for incubators:

http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat_intro.html

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

You can get a new Herpstat intro for $99 they are great for incubators:

http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat_intro.html

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How long does shipping usually take? I prefer buying in person due to my need for instant gratification lol

If they have them in stock in under a week (based on my experiences ordering from them). It looks like Spyder Robotics is backordered until the 23rd, but ARS has them in stock.

http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/...products_id=23

http://www.arscaging.com/thermostats/herpstatintro.html

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Originally Posted by BleedingOrange36

How long does shipping usually take? I prefer buying in person due to my need for instant gratification lol

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I ordered direct from spider robotics for my herpstat 1, and it came 3 days later. I would definitely buy direct if you can't find a good deal on a used one.

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Originally Posted by brobertson

I ordered direct from spider robotics for my herpstat 1, and it came 3 days later. I would definitely buy direct if you can't find a good deal on a used one.

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Do you think 150$ Is a good price for a used, but excellent condition HS2?

Well they retail $195 new. If it still works properly then yes. I would question why he is selling it, and test it first hand but if everything checks out I probably would go for it.

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Originally Posted by BleedingOrange36

Do you think 150$ Is a good price for a used, but excellent condition HS2?

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Well it sells new for like $200 so i would say yea thats a pretty good price :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Well they retail $195 new. If it still works properly then yes. I would question why he is selling it, and test it first hand but if everything checks out I probably would go for it.

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He has an ad up selling off all his boas and caging also. I'm waiting for him to email me back. I spoke with him yesterday and told him I would work on the cash.

What do you think about a herpstat ND for 100$? It's local..... Is it wise to get the intro new? I'm guessing it's probably the smarter thing to do.

The intro is the better choice. They have made the thermostats a lot better since the ND's

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

The intro is the better choice. They have made the thermostats a lot better since the ND's

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It's been decided, I'm picking up the HS 2 tomorrow on my way to hamburg!!! It just sucks that my incubator will be setup in my dining room, away from all my other heating needs.
Now I'm wondering if it would be possible to use the second output to control humidity...?

Yes you can control humidity with the herpstat 2's second output. There are 3 modes in which to regulate humidity.

Scheduled: doesn't require a humidity probe... simply turns on/off misting system/humidifier based upon the internal clock

Sensed: requires the herpstat humidity probe (link below) but will turn on/off the misting system/humidifier to keep the humidity level at the set %

Hybrid: requires the herpstat humidity probe. This setting combines the 2 previous. Basically you tell it what times of the day it should run (up to 8 or 9 time per day if I remember correctly) but it will use the probe to see if the humidity in the enclosure is already at the set level. If so it won't run the misting system/humidifier.

Herpstat humidity probe: http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/...products_id=15

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Yes you can control humidity with the herpstat 2's second output. There are 3 modes in which to regulate humidity.

Scheduled: doesn't require a humidity probe... simply turns on/off misting system/humidifier based upon the internal clock

Sensed: requires the herpstat humidity probe (link below) but will turn on/off the misting system/humidifier to keep the humidity level at the set %

Hybrid: requires the herpstat humidity probe. This setting combines the 2 previous. Basically you tell it what times of the day it should run (up to 8 or 9 time per day if I remember correctly) but it will use the probe to see if the humidity in the enclosure is already at the set level. If so it won't run the misting system/humidifier.

Herpstat humidity probe: http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/...products_id=15

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Would it be wise to try and accomplish this? I would really like to utilize the second channel, but I'm curious if it would be worthwhile? Would I place the humidity probe in the egg box, and maybe use it to trigger an alarm to tell me to adjust my humidity? Or maybe use an open egg box and somehow control the humidity inside the fridge? I could install a fine misting nozzle into the incubator and have it mist when needed. That would possibly prevent condensation drilling onto the eggs.

Personally I would use incubation medium to regulate humidity, but using the humidity probe to measure humidity would be nice.

I've used the humidity sensors with both humidifiers and misting systems and they work extremely well. They are about as accurate as you can get for a reasonable/non-lab grade hygrometer.

Well just for fun I decided to throw a large unregulated zilla heat may in, and threw a egg box in with a digital thermometer.... It's holding at 89 exactly... Can't wait to pick up the Herpstat tomorrow, the guy is also throwing 12' of 17" flexwatt in for free also. I'm getting everything for 125$ He made me promise that I have to pass the favor on one day to someone like myself that is currently limited on funds. Kind of pass the karma on.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/20/u7y8ytev.jpg

Looks good!

Perfect!!! Everything is in, temps are stable. My temp differential between top and bottom is .2degrees.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/24/ysyvyjub.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/24/yqevanem.jpg
My humidity is still climbing. I may have to add a tad bit more water.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/24/5yhy7unu.jpg
All in all I'm pretty happy how it turned out. I went with the 17" flexwatt I picked up with the herpstat.
Now I'm praying for eggs, my female is throwing me off a little.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/24/u8aqesa5.jpg
She's showing me all the signs....
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/24/6uryryna.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/10/24/ese3uga6.jpg
These were all a week ago. Now she's not really doing this anymore.... Well all I can do is hope for the best.

This incubator is for sale if anyone is interested.