building incubator with wine cooler and incukit

[karma33]

im planning on building an incubator out of a wine cooler, measures 31 high, 22 deep and 19 wide. the incukit heaters now come in 125 watts. would that be sufficient to heat that area does anyone know? i could use 2, but then thats just more expense (they arent that cheap!) if i dont have to. the wine cooler is very well insulated. any help would be appreciated! thanks!

 

[cavemanrich]

Personally, I think the wattage would be sufficient. I am not very certain about the cooler being very airtight. You may need to add vents.

 

[karma33]

Personally, I think the wattage would be sufficient. I am not very certain about the cooler being very airtight. You may need to add vents.

i think it is quite airtight. but planning on putting a few vents in...can cover them if not needed.
any tips on this project is appreciated!

 

[IncubatorWarehouse.com]

Generally 1 of the heater/fan combos is enough for something the size of a wine fridge. We do not usually suggest running to on a preinsulated build until you get into chest freezer or stand up fridge sizes. Best of luck.

 

[karma33]

ok, so i think i hit a snag...my plan was to install fan/heater at the top of the back false wall...with air flowing up the back and out through the fan/heat...well now i see the fan/heater has a backplate on it so it wont work that way....does anyone have any ideas how i can install it to the false back and still have airflow? should i open up the false back just above the shelf and install it to the true back? will this work?

 

[amunk01]

@karma33 How far did you get on your Wine cooler build? I pick up this tomorrow, and am considering the Incukit. Do you mind sharing some pictures? I'm shocked there isn't a dozen threads on this, but seems like everyone uses light bulbs...

 

[karma33]

@amunk01 i am on my first test hatch! i just set a dozen eggs yesterday. i had a bit or trouble getting the temp comsistant all through the wine cooler. i am still not sure why. there would be some hot spots and some cooler spots but if i moved the unit around it would change...im thinking it has something to do with the wine cooler being so well insulated and i think if it was bigger it would have worked better. Anyways i ended up ordering another fan from incubator warehouse...i put the fan/heater unit on the bottem, and the fan on the top. i had to play around with where to put the sensor as there is still some varience of temp but not much. ive got it pretty much within .7 of a degree in all spots,,,so im going with that. depending on spot it is 99.3 to 100.0. so im trying a test hatch and as these eggs are not mine im not sure of the fertility so i put a dozen in my trusty little incubator and a dozen in this new one. i have 2 small plastic containers of water in the very bottem and the humidty is holding at 40 with 3 small vents open.
oh, and wanted to add, the fellows at incubator warrehouse are great for support. ive done the online chat with them a few times and always very helpful.

 

[CaliChook]

Hi. It's been about 3 months since your last post here. How did the hatch go? Would you mind posting a picture of your incubator? I'm currently trying to build my own and already have the wine cooler. I'm just trying to choose the heating source.