design advice for homemade incubators? (lamp height, etc?)

[patandchickens]

I found a retired camper fridge that should make a good shell for an incubator. But because it's not quite like anyone else's, I can't just follow an existing design. Thus I am wondering, what are the essential principles to follow?

Is there a particular location (height, distance from eggs, etc) that the lightbulb should be?

Is there a particular location the thermostat should be? And the fan?

What else would be your advice to someone building an incubator, having looked at other peoples' design pages but having to adapt to a different container?

Is there anything you're really glad you did, or wish you did differently?

Thanks very much,

Pat, wanting to get this built and running and stabilized in the next 10 days or so.

 

[gabrielle1976]

I have no advice on the set up and building , the little coooler one stumped me bad enough. All I can suggest is to make shure everything is washed up really really good then rinsed jsut as well. Bactiria is a no no with bators. Then make shure you have all the items you need , socket , thermastat, bulb , duct tape , water wiggler, therm / humidity guage combo , ect. hopefully someone will get to you soon.
Good luck

 

[panner123]

If you are installing a fan, it makes no differance how far the heat sorce is from the eggs. What is important is that the temperture is equal thoughout the bator. I would get the thermostat
has close to the center as possible. With a small fridge you should be able to 2 turner trays for incubating and a hatching tray. I saw one a few years ago set up this way. The man uses the turners from a LG for it. Good luck with it and let us know the outcome.

 

[YeOleBroodie]

Pat what size is the fridge? Does it have a little freezer compartment up top?
A pix would be good if you can get one. That would help on giving you ideas.

What kind of thermostat were you thinking of using?

Oh and don't forget ventilation holes.