Building an automatic incubator

[ashgb2]

Hi,

i have been using my homemade incubator for a year, but now i want to build a new automatic one that controlls the tempreture , humidity, and turning eggs.

i'm thinking to use an old fridger , and to install all the things on it, for the tempreture i think a heat element like this one

but bigger than this to fit on the back of the fridger , and a similar one to be on the water (for controlling the humidity).
the water will be on the bottom of the fridger. i will install a big fan on the back of the fridge ,

all of this parts will be controlled and activated by this unit :

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Egg-Incubator-Tempreture-Controller-HTC-1-for-sale/611098273.html

or something similar.

what do you think ? this gonna work ?

does anyone used this controller ?

thanks.

 

[Cajun Chooks]

I don't think you need to reinvent the wheel, maybe a few changes but not start from scratch. There's more information on BYC to get ideas to build an incy, check out this page https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-egg-incubator-designs-pictures

I've built 2 from and old fridge or freezer using a water heater thermostat, computer fans and bulbs and it's as automatic as you can get and they work great. I use 2 store bought (TSC) egg turners and the parts for those are easy to get if needed. I even had to cut the egg turners down to fit in a smaller mini fridge and it worked fine. You can buy everything you need from the manufacturers themselves if you want to go that route. https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_listItems.asp?idCategory=49&orderBy=sku or you can piece it together from the many parts on Ebay. The heat tape seems to be the newest heating element out there now but the controllers are a little expensive and then the price starts going up and it would be better to just look around for a used cabinet style incubator. https://www.gqfmfg.com/store/comersus_listItems.asp?idCategory=38&orderBy=sku

I guess the real question you need to ask yourself is how much money you want to spend and as far as automatic goes, you'll still have to check on it at least daily if not more but usually once you get a good insulated box (old fridge/freezer) set and running it runs pretty smooth other than the occasional adding water during a hatch. I use the dry hatching method and all I ever do to the incubator is glance at the temp and count the days till lockdown. I'm using a cooler bator for hatching and it's easier to clean with the added bonus of the incubator not getting messy from hatching.

I'm not telling you the heating element won't work but it's not as simple as just putting it in, you'll have to install relays if it's a 110 volt unit because I'm sure the temp controller isn't wired to handle the amps of an element like that. If you really want an element then use the GQF parts from a sportsman.

Good luck and let us know what you decide and show some pics along the way to help everyone else out.