DIY Incubator

[LapisLazuli]

Has anyone tried making this into an incubator?

If you have I would love to see it and how you made it!

 

[LapisLazuli]

I have an old one and wondering if anyone has done it yet that could give me a few tips.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

One problem could be its height. You'll have to figure out how to keep the air from being thermally stratified. Even with a fan/fans, you'll have to set it up to keep pushing the hot air downward.
Do you have ideas for a heat element and temperature control?

 

[LapisLazuli]

I was thinking to just use a heat bulb. Its insulated so I think it will hold the temperature.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I was thinking to just use a heat bulb. Its insulated so I think it will hold the temperature.

It will likely hold temperature but heat will always rise so the top will be hotter than the bottom.
A heat lamp also isn't the best choice. What wattage?
An infrared heat lamp heats what it is aimed at, not ambient air.
An incandescent or halogen lamp would be a better choice and in that thermos, 40 watts may be sufficient.
You'll want to do several test runs before a egg setting.

Any idea what you will be using to regulate temperature? What thermostat?

 

[LapisLazuli]

Would this work to heat it?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes. I actually have a couple STC-1000 temperature controllers. Pretty much the same thing.
They still have to be calibrated but they are very good.

How about a small fan to keep the air circulating?
You'll also need some holes for oxygen/CO2 exchange.

 

[LapisLazuli]

Does the Inkbird temperature controller have a heating and cooling element in it or do I need a separate heat source?
How do I calibrate it?
I will get a a small computer fan.
Yes I will drill some holes for ventilation.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Keep in mind that your controller will either be A/C or D/C - but the heating elements you've mentioned are all A/C (light bulbs), while a computer fan is D/C...
after deciding on whether you are going to use alternating or direct current, your next decision is voltage. Likely 110 (household current) for A/C, its extremely common - but D/C? different heating elements will want differing voltages.

 

[ladybrasa]

My plug and play Inkbird, and if I understand all thermostats, do not come with the actual heat source. You need to plug in or wire in your selected heat source to the thermostat.

For my DIYbater, I use two 25 watt lightbulbs. The wattage would vary for your set up. I would suggest two though, in case one bulb burns out, then you aren’t entirely up a creek!