DIY Cabinet Incubator

chunky_ficken

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Hi all.......I'm considering constructing a cabinet style incubator and would like to get any input on a preferred heating element, as well as a fan and thermostat unit.

Links would be helpful if at all possible, but any help and input will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any and all help,
chunky_ficken
 
Quote:
I read your thread....how cool is that to have the heater built right in.....thanks for the reply, and I will follow your progress. Is the fish tank heater thermostat a stand alone component or do you have to disassemble the heater?

Thanks again,
chunky_ficken
 
Quote:
Thanks for the quick reply.....How big is your cabinet incubator (trays) and do these components keep the units' heat stable? How has your hatch rate been? There is so much info out there I just want to make sure I do it right the first time.

Again, thanks for the reply and the links.

chunky_ficken

Edit: Pics would be cool if not too much trouble.......
 
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most people use a light bulb for a heat source (not an energy saving bulb though, they don't throw out as much heat). lower watt bulbs (25W) seem to be better for smaller temp swings.

thermostats vary, wafers, water heater thermostats (that's what i have), cannibalised fish tank heaters, they all seem to work ok tbh.

most people use PC fans. i picked up a new one for 3 euros. you can power it with any 12V DC transformer you have (if you have an old one for a portable appliance kicking around for example) or you can buy a universal transformer for a few bucks...the kind that has a little screw on the back to select whatever voltage you need.
 
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Quote:
Thanks for the quick reply.....How big is your cabinet incubator (trays) and do these components keep the units' heat stable? How has your hatch rate been? There is so much info out there I just want to make sure I do it right the first time.

Again, thanks for the reply and the links.

chunky_ficken

Edit: Pics would be cool if not too much trouble.......

It's a 5 tray unit that's 36" tall. I tried the computer fan first, but had too much difference in temperature from top to bottom. It stabilized after I added the 9" fan. I only use the unit as my hatcher. I have a Sportsman cabinet style incubator that I use up until the last 2-3 days.
 
I took the fish tank heater apart. I slid the glass tube off the unit( had to pull pritty hard) i sniped the heater part off and soldered some longer wires on it so i could hook up some light fixtures. after i got the wiring done i put a peice of pvc over the thermostat. i had to be careful of the unit its self just moving it a little would turn it on or off so i had to stablize it in the pvc.after that it worked like a champ with no problems.
for the box im going to use the dow bluecore insulation 2 inch thick ( i have a hotwire cutter cuts up to 60 inches) the total dementions will be about 4 foot tall and wide and deep enough to install a egg turner.
Im using all this stuff well because i have it all on hand and the only thing i will have to buy is another light bulb
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I will post some pics of the build in a couple days when i get around to doing it
 
Any chance of a pic.

Where is the heat and fan ?

What temp in all areas

I'm making one but not sure where to go heat below or high or middle etc
 

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