melamb13
In the Brooder
Note to self, sponge rubber shelf liner and air stone bubbler to increase humidity. Great info from all, thanks.
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Wow! Thanks, I'm not sure I'm electronically savvy enough to tackle that, but you are right it does look like the same system. You are definitely several pay scales above me with the eleoctronics. I was thinking of a more simple system. draw air in from vents and allow the temp, humidity controllers to hold the interior steady. Nice job on your's for sure.can not tell from the picture as the electronics are already removed but it looks like a peltier cooler. if its a peltier then you just reverse 2 wires and add a temp sensor and its done.
link to a peltier incubator/hatcher I built https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/976303/building-a-incubator-from-a-wine-cooler
ignore the controller as it can be done with simply adding a temp switch
Thanks for the info gpop, I was thinking of venting through the top, but I'm not sure what size hole yet. Guess I'll start small and enlarge if I need to. I'll definitely do a shakedown cruise before running real eggs. I've got a lot going on right now, so I'll be thinking on this a while.I see you have a ptc heater in one picture so that should make a nice heat source. One trick is to add extra fans then use a power supply that's lower voltage to mix the air. Running a 12vdc at 6 to 9 vdc makes the fan run slower so instead of blowing the air around it mixs the air. At the heater you still want to use a full speed fan to keep the air moving and to prevent the heater getting to hot.
In mine I have a small fan mounted in one top corner blowing across the incubator to mix the air. You are also going to find that very little moisture equals high humidity so you will either have to be a hands on type hatcher that opens the door a few times a day or you will need a small vent to allow some of the humidity to escape and fresh air to enter.
I find trays at the dollar store are the best thing to use in the hatcher on the shelfs. just add plastic mesh to the bottom then place onto the wooden shelfs. When hatching runners and jumpers tie wrap 2 trays together to make a cage especially with quail as they hatch and 3 minutes later there jumping out of the trays. If you hatch on the floor then be careful as the lip at the front near the door is slippery and sloped so chicks tend to end up there. When you open the door they fall out and if you don't notice you may close the door on one of them. I need to add a plastic mesh fence to stop them doing that on mine.
you do very neat work so im looking forwards to seeing what you come up with.
Thanks coleco, I'll start a thread once I get started on this project. So far all I've done is gut the electrical and refrig unit. I can't believe I found this at such a great price, the guy posted it on Craigslist about a month ago and I tried several times to buy it, but got no response from him, finally he responded yesterday and I jumped on it. I'm looking forward to getting started, hopefully this weekend or sooner.Melamb13 what a cool cabinet. I am jealous. Im excited to hear more about it as it is built.