New incubator

Last year, being my first year back in the ball python breeding game, I simply fired up one of the scientific incubators in my lab and incubated the eggs there. This year, that incubator was not holding a constant heat, fluctuating from 85 to 90. So, I decided enough was enough and I sourced an old Red Bull drinks cooler off of a Facebook group. Ordered some heat tape from Rich at Reptile Basics, and set about converting the cooler. I striped out the cooling system, the old fan, and then cleaned and sterilized it. Installed the tape, installed two fans (with blue LEDs as that is my daughters favorite color and she loves checking on the snakes), and added a few additional shelves, then fired it up. It is wired to a Vivarium Electronics VE200 set on pulse proportional heating, then backed up with a VE100. It holds temp beautifully and is thermally homogenous throughout the incubator. For under $200, I now have an incubator that can hold 12 Rubbermaid shoeboxes or 18 Iris shoeboxes. I am only running two of the heat tapes and the third is simply a backup if needed.

Completed incubator

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2F09_04_17.jpg

As I got it.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...F%2Fcooler.jpg

Warren

That is a sweet setup!

How much for you to build me one?? LOL! Great job!

This one took no effort at all. The main things was to thoroughly clean and disinfect the the cooler to start with. After that, I am just anal about the look, so tape is cut perfectly, things are lined up perfectly, etc. If i had the parts, I would happily build them for people. This one, since being set up, has fluctuated only 0.5oF. There is no variation top to bottom either as the fans perfectly circulate the air. I am thrilled with this build.

Warren

Grats man! Nice clean craftsmanship.

What kind of fans did you use and how did you wire them. I found computer fans but they're 12v

I used two of these - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Each one is powered by one of these - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I am sure you could probably wire them in series or parallel also.

Warren

Identical to my set up all the way down to the color led in your fans. Nice work!
The only thing I did differently was I lined the heat tape with water bottles to hold temp when the door is opened.[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...0203_21681.jpg[/IMG]

I opted for a large tub of perlite that I keep saturate. I see no temperature drop at all inside the egg tubs when I have the door opened.
Warren

That is insane, such an awesome professional looking incubator! :gj:

That's awesome! I've been looking for a glass door cooler like that for months and can't seem to find one reasonably priced. I'm considering converting a one person sauna. You could seal the wood on the inside (clear spray sealer) and add a shelving unit to hold tubs of eggs and fit a lot more in there. Some of those saunas sell for less than $800 brand new, so you could probably pick up a used one for a couple hundred bucks. Plus when you check on the eggs you could close the door behind you and take your time without losing heat and humidity.

It looks like you used multiple sheets of heat tape. How many are really needed? Could one down either the back or one of the sides work fine? I was finally able to find a cooler like this and picked it up today and plan to start converting it this weekend.

I have three pieces of heat tape, however I only have the two on either side functioning. The third is purely a backup if needed. This thing does not deviate from 88oF. The large tub of saturated perlite on the bottom absorbs heat, and the tubs themselves do not lose heat when I open the door to work with things. Very happy with this incubator, and such a simple setup.
Warren