My Refrigerator Incubator
I finally got around to building my incubator and just wanted to share some quick pictures I took with my phone. All I need to do is connect my Helix thermostat and it is done. Best of all I have less than $70 into it.
Incubator:
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb21570bd.jpg
Bottom:
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7d4b5392.jpg
Top:
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps22d6a1d6.jpg
Fans: One is pushing air and the other is pulling air
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7e43c352.jpg
Back: Variable Resistors to control fan speeds
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9a034ae2.jpg
Light from fans:
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0e29202c.jpg
Let me know what you think!
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tigerhawk
Very nice, I know you cannot wait to put some eggs in it.
You got that right!! :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by
led-zep
The fans allow enough airflow to allow the top and bottom to be the same temp and controlled by the same thermostat? I have a old fridge I thought about doing this to but always wondered about that. Looks nice. :gj:
That is my idea and hopefully it will be enough... That is why I wanted to be able to adjust the fans as needed. I did add a small piece of heat tape to the top portion to hopefully add enough heat and airflow to achieve the same temps. I will be setting it up this weekend and testing it out so I will update. ;)
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
B&H Reptiles
You got that right!! :D
That is my idea and hopefully it will be enough... That is why I wanted to be able to adjust the fans as needed. I did add a small piece of heat tape to the top portion to hopefully add enough heat and airflow to achieve the same temps. I will be setting it up this weekend and testing it out so I will update. ;)
Cool! yes please update. I always wanted to do this to my my fridge but was unsure how. If this works I'm going with this. Thanks :)
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
coreydelong
Very nice!!
Only thing is that I would be absolutely certain the ends are insulated from the aluminum foil tape. The sides are fine, but just be careful with the aluminum tape on the ends.
Great looking rig!!
Thanks! I think I made sure of that.
On top where the power cord is connected the connections are insulated by rubber mastic electrical tape which is pretty thick and seals very well. On the other end, heavy duty electrical tape was used along the copper strip ends and then along the whole edge. The aluminum tape was not applied over the actual connections on top just on the bottom.
Let me know if you think I missed something or have any other recommendations.
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
led-zep
Cool! yes please update. I always wanted to do this to my my fridge but was unsure how. If this works I'm going with this. Thanks :)
As requested here is my update: It works! The temperatures on top and bottom consistently keep the same.
I set this up early morning and left it running until right now, constantly checking the temperature readings.
Sorry for the hard to see pictures, but was the best I could do right now with the lighting.
I set the thermostat to 90 degrees and got a consistent 88 degrees on top and bottom.
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps729ce208.jpg
Top temperature:
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...pse021b19c.jpg
Bottom temperature:
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps48a4bb1c.jpg
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Very nice job. I can't decide whether or not I want to build my own. Or just set aside 300$ from the tax return I'm gonna get to buy one later this year. Minimal cost or convenience?
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Not sure but just a thought on the fans - you might want to add some small ducting to the inward fan to direct air to the bottom so all air inside is equal. With the fans so close it might prevent an even movement of air and distribution of heat.
Nice job on the project!
Re: My Refrigerator Incubator
Quote:
Originally Posted by
led-zep
Awesome! Think I'll start working on mine. Ordered a herpstat yesterday, but I think once it gets here I'll pull the helix off the rack and put the herpstat on the rack, then move the helix over to the incubator. Cool :D
EDIT: Where did you mount the Helix probe? In the bottom section or top?
I prefer the herpstat for my rack as well, but the helix does a great job as well.
As for the helix probe, it is in the bottom section hanging right in the middle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TheSnakeGuy
Very nice job. I can't decide whether or not I want to build my own. Or just set aside 300$ from the tax return I'm gonna get to buy one later this year. Minimal cost or convenience?
Thanks, you know for me it was a bit of both since I had the refrigerator already which was free in the first place, and well I love a challenge! The minimal cost was a plus of course. :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Saber402
Not sure but just a thought on the fans - you might want to add some small ducting to the inward fan to direct air to the bottom so all air inside is equal. With the fans so close it might prevent an even movement of air and distribution of heat.
Nice job on the project!
I thought the same thing when putting it together but I can in fact feel the air flow all the way to the bottom. Of course that will be one of the things I will be watching closely with time, and the whole purpose of using the speed control in order to adjust accordingly. The ducting is not a bad idea though, Thanks.
