DIY Chest Cooler Incubator Deluxe Edition with Pictures...

[Aes_Sidhe]

Just Finished my new "baby" so Decided post a pictures and cost...

As a base I used 100 qt Igloo max cold cooler. I've bought it from KMart for 67 and change delivered to my home...

Reason i go with 100qt is that only size wide enough for 6qr boxes so i can go with 3 6 qt egg boxes wide-wise or 2 biter ones length-wise...

As heat source I've used new 6 inches TGH Heat tape got it from RBI for 18$ with Connector.



Then of course water bottles... it fit very nice 9 1liter Smart Water bottles.. that 2-2.50 per piece...



On Dry Run after 24 hours water in the bottle was 118.5 F temp in upper part of cooler was 109 F

Then we have piece of egg-crate You can but that in local Home depot or Lowes for around 12-15$ per 2x4' Piece...



Egg-crate is a base for ventilator.. I've Used standard low Speed computer case 12V fan with is connected to 12V Dc power Adapter from Dollar Store...

Fan-10$ Power supply 7.99...



Then as space breaker i uses 1 inch plastic pipe and 4 90 degrees connectors.. all around 7 $ in local Home Depot...



Another piece of Egg-crate plus sensor from Thermostat and that basically all.... You have finished Incubator...



All system is controlled by previous version on Herpstat and as backup I Have Accurite thermometer just as Control...

Cost without thermostat 155$ give or take 5$....

Hope Guys You like it....



Special thanks for PghBall and his Tread:http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...oler-incubator with was my inspiration.

[Xaila]

Awesome! Doesn't look too difficult to set up at all. Maybe I'll make a summer project of something like this Where exactly do you place the thermometer and thermostat probes?

[Aes_Sidhe]

Awesome! Doesn't look too difficult to set up at all. Maybe I'll make a summer project of something like this Where exactly do you place the thermometer and thermostat probes?

Thermostat is positioned on right wall on the same height where middle of the egg-box will be

Accu-Rite probe is on the other side hanging freely in the air on same height... I've noticed that Accu-rite Showing me 1.5-2 Degrees Higher temps.. but when i checked that part of incubator with Infrared Gun is almost spot on (0.1 difference than my Thermostat Showing me)

[Aes_Sidhe]

Ok Looks Like My Design Had few flaws so modifications was needed.

First off Water directly on Heat element=Bad Idea... They accumulate way too much heat and then radiate it so temp was impossible to control.
Differences between thermostat reading and thermometer was reaching 3-4 degrees with was totally unacceptable...

I remove everything and change steps.

Pipe frame is going now directly on the floor... Then first egg-crate with fan with is blowing Air on heat tape not into incubator. That way circulation of air is more even. Then we have water bottle. they dont lay directly on heat source just accumulate heat from air around so they basically stay same temp as rest of incubator.



Then we have another Egg-crate - shelf for egg-boxes.

As thermostat probe placement. is directly above the fan... that way measuring ambient temperature of air with is sucked by fan and blow on heat tape...



I have thermostat set up as 87.5 temperatures measured by Accurite on shelf level is 88 Infra red gun showing me between 88.3-88.5

Hopefully my mistakes and corrections will help You guys in your future builds.

Enjoy.

[h00blah]

Wow that is as basic as it gets. GREAT pictures! Thanks !!

[Kaorte]

That is a sexy cooler incubator! Nice work!!

[gsarchie]

I think that it is time for me to get to work building mine before my cinnie girl drops her eggs. Maybe I'll go buy a cooler tonight!

[GoFride]

Very good "how it's done" thread - thanks!

[Pampho85]

Really nice and pretty simple! Definitely will do this when/if I do start breeding!

[WmHrbst]

Looks good

I built one similar a while back here is a link to the video if anyone is interested.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XNZAa_bYOiY