DIY CABINET COOLER INCUBATOR How we did it and TEST RUN Ready Set GO!

[Sally Sunshine]

@Sally Sunshine
I have a few questions - prob already asked, but ... The top & bottom shelf dimensions are critical to the proper air flow & temp being equal? Also, what size was the adjusted air vent on the bottom?
After looking at your photos again, I realized my computer fans are smaller than yours & I'd previously wired them together. Would that be an issue?
Temps aren't even yet, so shut off & will make adjustments tonight after work & try again. Also, I'm not using the same thermometers to check temp, but if I've calibrated them, that wouldn't matter, right?

Thanks!

Hey I know that cooler! lol

as far as the fans, it depends on how much they are actually pushing, you may need to put bigger ones in or switch out the supply plug see this for more info on fans and powering them: IMPORTANCE OF FANS and HOW TO ADD ONE! post #58100

You can try to ignore the bottom shelf and see if you have stable temps before you add that one. But the top shelf I would try to get as close to what we did as possible. oh and caeti and I just had the conversation about the bottom vent size, go back just a page at the bottom and read front a few posts!

 

[Dish chickens]

LOL
thanks, I would think it could be done like your coolers its just a little wider

 

[myfivegirls]

You can try to ignore the bottom shelf and see if you have stable temps before you add that one. But the top shelf I would try to get as close to what we did as possible. oh and caeti and I just had the conversation about the bottom vent size, go back just a page at the bottom and read front a few posts!

Thanks! I added the top shelf.
The fans I'm using are 12v. - one's .14A, 2nd is .30A, but the supply plug is 12v. for both. So, they're probably not running at full power.
They're 3.35"square. Not sure about RPM & CFM, as they were given to me used.
Looked all through the house & couldn't find another 12V. power supply, mostly 4v & 5v. But, found some on Amazon & I can try switching the power supply once they come.

I have to order more fans anyways, do you think these are sufficient? Many reviews say they have low CFM, but that's for a computer.
http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KB8CB9O/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

 

[Sally Sunshine]

• Fan Size: 120mm
• Bearing Type: Long Life Sleeve
• RPM: 1200 +/- 10% RPM
• Air Flow: 38.2 CFM
• Noise Level: 22 dBA
• Power Connector: 3/4 Pin

yeah the CFM is pretty low on them, the ones in my reg coolers are around 64 I think

 

[myfivegirls]

yeah the CFM is pretty low on them, the ones in my reg coolers are around 64 I think

So, these would be a better option? Even though they're still small size, they have a higher CFM



Quote: from your post in "Incubating with Friends" The fans I ordered, and I ordered higher cfm and rpms so I may have to adjust humidity more because of the fan, but I wanted more air flow in them anyways.


Lot 2PCS New 80mm IDE Chassis Fan Cooling for Computer PC Host 4 Pins

Price:
US $6.99 for two, I ordered 4 total because I need to have extras on hand just in case.

Features:
1. Silent Fan Cooling System
2. Special high profile fan blades for maximum air flow
4. 4 Pins Connector Male and Female
5. Provide excellent ventilation for your PC cases

Specification:
Speed reference: 1800 +/-10% RPM
Bearing Type: Sleeve Bearing
Noise Reference: 23 db
Reference air flow: 60CFM
Rated Voltage: 12V
Rated Current: 0.18A
Interface Type: 4 Pins Male and Female
Length: 11.8inches
Size: 3.1 x 3.1 x 1 in(L x W x H)
Color: black

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Quote: Quote: from your post in "Incubating with Friends" The fans I ordered, and I ordered higher cfm and rpms so I may have to adjust humidity more because of the fan, but I wanted more air flow in them anyways.


Lot 2PCS New 80mm IDE Chassis Fan Cooling for Computer PC Host 4 Pins

Price:
US $6.99 for two, I ordered 4 total because I need to have extras on hand just in case.

Features:
1. Silent Fan Cooling System
2. Special high profile fan blades for maximum air flow
4. 4 Pins Connector Male and Female
5. Provide excellent ventilation for your PC cases

Specification:
Speed reference: 1800 +/-10% RPM
Bearing Type: Sleeve Bearing
Noise Reference: 23 db
Reference air flow: 60CFM
Rated Voltage: 12V
Rated Current: 0.18A
Interface Type: 4 Pins Male and Female
Length: 11.8inches
Size: 3.1 x 3.1 x 1 in(L x W x H)
Color: black

yes better, did you check on the big ones that are in this big coolerbator CFM listings? I cant remember off the top of my head!

CFM = cubic feet of air movement the higher it is the more air it moves

 

[myfivegirls]

Yes, the screen image on the 1st page on this thread says the fans are 32.5CFM, and 2500 RPM vs 1800 for the smaller ones. They're 14cm or 5.5" vs. 3" square.

My current ones in the big coolerbator aren't enough, probably b/c their power is cut in half.
After adding the shelf & putting the thermostat probe further away from the light bulbs, it's still not anywhere near the correct temp at the bottom.
I put pieces of paper strips throughout & only the one in front of the fans in moving the most, the others don't show much movement of the air.

 

[myfivegirls]

I found a 12v power cord, so now each fan has a 12v power supply. But, even still, it wasn't enough. I think they have a low CFM #, but in the meantime, I found another fan, which I put at the bottom, blowing toward the vent. It's seemed to help circulate the air, not perfectly but much better.
After trying many hours to make an auto turner like ones I saw on Youtube, I ended up just getting 3 auto egg turners at TSC & cutting off one row, so they'd fit inside the incubator.
Once I added eggs to the turner, the temps changed again, and I had to move the thermostat probe. It's a little cooler on the 2nd shelf, but I think it might be sufficient, for now.
But, once I find a fan that has a higher CFM, I'll probably replace the ones on top. They were sufficient for a small styrafoam cooler bator, which I only used for hatching, but obviously not strong enough for this much bigger incubator.
Thanks @Sally Sunshine for your help, suggestions & inspiration!

 

[dheltzel]

I found a 12v power cord, so now each fan has a 12v power supply. But, even still, it wasn't enough. I think they have a low CFM #, but in the meantime, I found another fan, which I put at the bottom, blowing toward the vent. It's seemed to help circulate the air, not perfectly but much better.
After trying many hours to make an auto turner like ones I saw on Youtube, I ended up just getting 3 auto egg turners at TSC & cutting off one row, so they'd fit inside the incubator.
Once I added eggs to the turner, the temps changed again, and I had to move the thermostat probe. It's a little cooler on the 2nd shelf, but I think it might be sufficient, for now.
But, once I find a fan that has a higher CFM, I'll probably replace the ones on top. They were sufficient for a small styrafoam cooler bator, which I only used for hatching, but obviously not strong enough for this much bigger incubator.
Thanks @Sally Sunshine for your help, suggestions & inspiration!

This will do it: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005KMTYFK

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Thanks Dennis!