BUILDING AN INCUBATOR - PLYWOOD - ANY HELP?

[HappyHatch'en]

I want to build my own incubator and copy a Dicky or GQF Cabinet style. So far I have a 250 watt heat element and Helix DBS1000 thermostat....I'm almost there. I need assistance on inside dimensions and location of humidity holes and the best location for the heat probe.
If any of you have a better mouse trap for turning the eggs automatically would be appreciated. PICTURES ARE BETTER THAN WORDS....email them to me : [email protected]

I've searched the net and do not want a Styrofoam. The cost of these are way to high for me for what you get.
I will be incubating chicken, pheasant and turkey.
Of course I must look at the over all cost of this project as well. I can purchase a Dickey Cabinet for $540...it comes with electronic therm and humidity, plus auto turners...dickeyincubators.com He makes a better cabinet than GQF, with the same guts.
So far the element and Therm has cost me $145.00
Any help would be appreciated...........

 

[brooster]

there is a wiring diagram on GQF website, and you can probably get the demensions. There are lost of threads about people building thier own incubators, out of coolers and wood. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

I have the dimensions from GQF, but I don't know if they are INSIDE or OUTSIDE dimensions, what is the distance from top the the shelf? distance from trays etc......and I have the wiring diagram....THANKS for responding....I will be keeping a journal and pictures...

 

[Davaroo]

All this obsessing.... you're making my head hurt!

Show the pictures you are going by, please. We'll figure it out.

 

[Gatekeeper]

Kroth, I am pretty sure those GQF dimensions are exterior (Outside). Have you thought about an old fridge or freezer. I am currently working on a hatcher and incubator with a manual turner. Someone needs to think or find ceramic heaters, I have a feeling these would be inexpensive heat sources for an incubator. I have tried numerous hot water heater thermostats and have had NO success.

Finding a fan other than a PC fan; is something I am working on but have yet to find a reliable one. PC fans are made to run intermittently. I don't know over a long period of time if they will hold up under the strain of a 21 day hatch. This is not to say that some have not had success using PC fans. I on the other hand don't know if I want to test that water.

Gate

 

[HappyHatch'en]

I've got my eye on a small refrigerator with a full window door that a friend has and said I can have it....so no plywood....I'm concerned about location of the humidity holes that I see on the GQF., size and how many?
Computer fan to circulate the air...but how many CFM or size?
The one big problem is the tray turner motor and arm...Ernest Dickey who makes the Dickey Incubator will sell me the complete unit for $116.00 + S/H....so with the 250 Watt Heat Element (GQF) and Helix DBS1000 with ground - Proportional Temp. Control System at $145.00 I would have $275.00 in this unit up to this point.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

For every 100 eggs ya set at a time ya probably need a hole the size of a quarter close to the top and another close to the bottom on the same side.
The fan that is in the fridge ya get is your best bet. It is 120V an the manufacturer has determined that it is the best size for moving the air in that size box.

 

[conny63malies]

looking at reptile websites. Lots of ball python(royal python)and other snake breeders build their own incubators out of fridges
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/116764/refrigerator_incubator_for_reptile.html
http://www.ultimatereptiles.com.au/html/incubator.html (this one includes a wiring diagram.)
http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/incubator.shtml very well explained with photographs of how to do it.
also check reptile suppliers for heating supplies and thermostats
a Herpstat or helix would work fine
here are some links www.beanfarm.com
http://www.reptilebasics.com/Johnson-Controls-Thermostat-Pre-Wired-p-16178.html there is a prewired Johnson thermostat for 79$
just plug in your heat source and go.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

Thank you for your feedback....I hope I have hit the jackpot....a friend has a small fridge that has a glass door on it - free.
I have the heat element and thermostat Helix DBS1000
No Fan yet or a tray turning mechanism.........SO I NEED HELP with some inexpensive way to turn the trays automatically, so hopefully some of you have tackled that already and can send me your thoughts.....

 

[littlepeddler]

hey Kroth check out the one I just finished this weekend. I have 100.00 from recycled parts. Its ugly, but I love a cabinet, and they seem to hold the temp better.