GRRRR! Hot Fan!

[Gomojoe]

Got my incubator together and it seems the fan is too hot! It's driving the temp up to 91° with 0% being contributed from the heat tape. I wouldn't think a computer fan would be this hot doesn't seem it could be very effective at doing its job being so hot. Here is what the setup looks like, any suggestions?

[snake lab]

Your fan is probablly overheating due to the fact you closed it in. The fan has to be able to draw air as well as throw air. I bet if you dont close it in it will be fine

[Gomojoe]

It's blowing into the false wall. There is about an inch above it and all the air is able to flow through the back wall and over the heat tape through to the bottom.


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[snake lab]

I would loose the false wall. Its not needed. If you simply have the flexwatt exposed and hang the fan from the top youll be fine.

[snake lab]

Closing in the flexwatt like that isnt good

[Gomojoe]

Closing the flexwatt in like that is good if you have air moving over it, which I do by the fan. All the heat tape has like a 1" space from it to the insulation. Maybe I do have too much resistance on the fan, maybe some more holes.


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[snake lab]

Yes in theory it may. Considering the fact that it is a closed space to begin with meaning your incubator, you dont need to close in the flexwatt. Covering flexwatt makes it heat up to hot. This is why you see people browning the bottom of tubs when using belky heat with tubs that sit on it. That fridge or cooler is already well insulated to begin with. The object of a fan in an incubator isnt to move the heat. Its simply just to circulate the air inside the incubator. By covering the flexwatt and making it heat up more you are basicalky creating a hot air blower. I will bet if you uncover the flexwatt and let the fan just move air without covering the fan up you will hold your temps perfect with a good thermostat.

[Gomojoe]

Yes in theory it may. Considering the fact that it is a closed space to begin with meaning your incubator, you dont need to close in the flexwatt. Covering flexwatt makes it heat up to hot. This is why you see people browning the bottom of tubs when using belky heat with tubs that sit on it. That fridge or cooler is already well insulated to begin with. The object of a fan in an incubator isnt to move the heat. Its simply just to circulate the air inside the incubator. By covering the flexwatt and making it heat up more you are basicalky creating a hot air blower. I will bet if you uncover the flexwatt and let the fan just move air without covering the fan up you will hold your temps perfect with a good thermostat.

Yeah maybe so. I moved a bunch of it out of the way to see if it helps before totally removing it. I'll probably still leave a bit hanging though to block radiant heat from the tape.

[2kdime]

HAd the same problem last year

Switched from a 120v fan to a 12v and problem solved

The 120's kick out some heat from the motor

[Gomojoe]

HAd the same problem last year

Switched from a 120v fan to a 12v and problem solved

The 120's kick out some heat from the motor

Really? So did you have a false wall or wide open?


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