Freezer Incubator

Last update: March-28-2011

Hello,

Here is my freezer incubator project.
I am building an incubator of an old freezer and for this cause I used the Liebherr Economy.
In this incubator is room for 88 eggs max., but a better aircirculation will be achieved by taking a maximum of 66 eggs.
For me this capacity is more than enough.

This old freezer didn't work anymore, so I took out all freezer parts and started making an incubator of it.

I am not so well in English so I will place here some pictures of my project. Pictures say more than words.

 

The old freezer                                                                             All freezer-parts removed

 

This was the inside before I took out the parts                         The original name of the freezer 

 

I made a window made out of 6mm glass on the inside and outside. There is a 5,5cm space between the glasses for better isolation.

 

For security I installed the fan and the heating-source on an aliminium plate.
I also installed a SSL- light( solid state lighting), because it doesn't cause heat.  

 

I installed a Thermotronic thermostat                                           I finished-off the inside of the door.

 

Testing all the equipment

 

This is my new incubator made of an old deep freezer.

The Thermotronic thermostat, the fan, the heating-source and a hygrometer I have bought at:
http://www.florijn-broedmachines.nl/

Update May-07-2010

I have introduced a couple of improvements to this incubator. I have introduced another heating-source and fan.
Because the heating-source ( 300 watt)was too strong and the engine of the fan, where I have started with,  produced too much warmth for this small incubator. The temperature was not well regulable.
Now I am doing a test with a 60 watt bulb and if my new heating-source of 100 watt has arrived I will change that.
At this moment the temperature in the incubator is 99.9F and stays very stable.
I will make  a few outcome-drawers where the eggs are able to hatche in.

The fan I use now came out of an old microwave oven.

In a couple of days my new heathing-source of 100 watt will arrive and I can also put this  into the incubator.
Then I am almost ready.

Here are some pictures of the latest improvements.
 

I installed the hygrometer                                                             I installed fan and heating-source protection. 

 

I made some egg-turners on which i can place egg-boxes.

Update May-17-2010

I made 2 outcome-drawers where the eggs are able to hatche in.

Outcome-drawers                                   I made some compartments in the outcome-drawers.

This is my freezer incubator.

Update August-27-2010

I will remove the 220 volt Fan that still produced excess heat and place a 12 volt computer case fan. I use this one in combination with an Zalman Fanmate 2 Fancontroller so I can regulate the speed and make it with less noise. For power I use a 12 volt DC adapter 1000MA. Advantage of 12 volts is that it would be safer if properly connected.

Update March-28- 2011

I promised to inform you how the breed has gone. I have 54 eggs laid into my freezer incubator to breed up to 18 days. On the 19th day I have 50 fertilized eggs transferred to the still air incubator for the eggs to hatch. Unfortunately, I knocked at the thermostat and the temperature was too high for 2 hours, about 103 Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, some died but I still have 27 beautiful chicks.

Greetings Arie