calling all styrofoam cooler incubater makers

[firechicken]

How do you mount your lights? Anyone experience any burning of styrofoam?
I am paranoid about the one I am making, so would to like hear how others have mounted theirs and some basic do's and dont's . Thanks

 

[Wildsky]

OT: I wanna put that on my resume

Styrofoam cooler incubator maker.

But sorry I'm not there yet.

 

[okiechick57]

Quote:
say that 3 times fast first wild........ incubator maker incubator maker incubator maker.......

Seriously.I want to watch this thread to learn bout these........gonna try one some day !

 

[firechicken]

incubator maker, incubaker mater, incumaker bater

See I can do it just fine.

 

[okiechick57]

Quote:

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

I was worried about that, too. So I wrapped a TON of black elec. tape around the socket (none on the lightbulb though

). Checked a zillion times for melting..

My lightbulb is 40watt (I think), and is one of those longer, tapered candle-looking ones.

Haven't had any melting going on at all. And that baby has been running.. for 1.5mos straight (bad hatch.. left to see if it was a temper. prob. new batch in now)


Meghan

I think I prefer.. styrofoam incubator technician

 

[jab91864]

I put the socket thru the hole in the side of the foam box...no tape and it has run last year for several batches. It is running now. I have had no burning issues or heat damage to the area.

Good luck !!! This is where I should insert my disclaimer saying I am not responsible if you burn your home down...yadda yadda yadda.

Julie

 

[KingsCalls]

I make a hole in the side that the socket fits tightly into. You can buy some aluminium tape (they use it for putting around the seems of duct work) and put it in about a 6" square where the light is if you are worried about a fire issue. I have done this on one of mine. On the other I have a can that the light goes in and the socket goes through the can and into the side of the cooler.

 

[sgray136]

I am in the process of building a styrofoam bator and have looked at quite a few plans. I have adapted a bator put together by a Forum member by the name of Miss Prissy.

I mounted my light differently from her's in that she used a bottle lamp socket so she could cover all her wiring and ran the wires directly through the foam wall using the foam as mount.

I cut two 4"x4" square pieces of wood veneer (wall panelling would work). I hot glued one piece to the inner wall where I was mounting my light and then glued the other on the outside directly on the other side of the foam wall. I then drilled two holes through the wall and the two pieces of wood for mounting the flush mount light socket. I used washers on both sides to spread out the mounting stress to the styrofoam.

I used a flush mount scocket that is screwed directly to it's mounting and then the wires are attached onto the two poll screws. I covered the connections with electrical plastic paint sold in the electrical section of Lowe's or Home Depot. The paint is the same stuff that a person can dip his tool handles into to insulate them.

The wood panels protects the styrofoam from the heat and adds a lot more support for the light socket. I found the flush mount to also be cheaper.

Go to this site for some ideas: http://www.bigredcouch.com/journal/archives/do_it_yourself/

Hope this helps.

 

[luvzmybabz]

I used an old lamp for mine and threaded the rod through so I could screw it on the outside I was also worried about the melting. I will post a picture in a little bit I need to get it out to get it cleaned up to use as a hatcher anyway.