Incubator fan question

I am making a small/medium sized incubator and am trying to decide if I should add one 120mm fan at the top, centered at the back, or two 80 mm fans at the top, on the left and right at the back. The heat tape will run down the back wall in the middle. The incubator is approximately 3 feet tall and will hold eight sterilite 6 quart tubs. Is there an obvious benefit to either fan setup or would either option do the job well enough?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

I use a single 200m fan pointed down. it works fine and my temps are stable. I tried an incubator fan from reptilebasics and it crapped out on me in less then 30 days. I used a pc fan and much better. My next incubator I make I am thinking of buying a couple of the pc fans that have USB plugs that you can just plug into an adaptor and plug into a wall. That way no trying to hook it up to a converter to run in a regular outlet. I found 1 or 2 models on Newegg.

I might have to look at the USB fans, I've only been looking at normal computer fans which would require conversion so far. Thanks for the input!

Here is one I found. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1YH1GV3688

Since heat travels upward you want your fan to blow doward so the air circulates to prevent hot spots. I use this http://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-HS...c+computer+fan and my incubator is an hold fridge holding 27 tubs.

The fan is plugged into a lamp dimmer to adjust the speed.

Yeah I planned on aiming the fan(s) down, I do like the fan you linked as its already set up to plug into a power strip/dimmer. Is the cord all one piece or does it detach somewhere in the middle? I only ask because I would prefer to drill my holes as small as possible.

I am not sure on that. I haven't bought this model yet.

Actually if you look at the picture of it one of the pictures shows the power separated from the fan. So you will have to make a hole the size of the mini usb but the looks of it. Then you could probably use some caulking to seal up the hole.

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Originally Posted by Lthv

Yeah I planned on aiming the fan(s) down, I do like the fan you linked as its already set up to plug into a power strip/dimmer. Is the cord all one piece or does it detach somewhere in the middle? I only ask because I would prefer to drill my holes as small as possible.

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If they have not change the model the cord is plugged at the base of the fan itself allowing you to install the fan and drill a small hole for the cord.

Like this http://www.coolerguys.com/840556069003.html

What is the best way to attach the fan to the top of the incubator?

I purchased stanley brand one and a half inch "corner braces" which look like this http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/StanleyNational/reinforcementhardware-braces?$category$ you can screw them to the back wall of the incubator and then screw the other side into your fan (typically the fans will have holes on all four corners for screws but you only really need to use two) and this allows you to lower the fan as far from the top of the incubator as you like for proper air flow.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

If they have not change the model the cord is plugged at the base of the fan itself allowing you to install the fan and drill a small hole for the cord.

Like this http://www.coolerguys.com/840556069003.html

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Actually Deborah, this one you linked shows an optional chord with the rheostat built in. That is what I bought for the one I used in my Wine Cooler build.

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Originally Posted by Nussman

What is the best way to attach the fan to the top of the incubator?

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I use corner braces ;)

I attached the fan to the back wall of the incubator at the top (you need to make sure that air can draw and the fan does not overheat so leave a space between the fan and the top)

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...g/P1060010.jpg