DIY Thread - Let's see your "Inventions".

[Kassaundra]

But then you have silkies....

A sickly, can't roost, special needs bird that can't survive without help, can't forage out on pasture without getting picked off and can't keep itself warm in the winter. I'll take a heating pad any ol' day over a silkie....at least a heating pad has more than one use.

Oh Bee, you know you cried over Mr. Silkie pants.

 

[Beekissed]

Oh Bee, you know you cried over Mr. Silkie pants.

That was ONE tear, K...ONE tear! It won't happen again.....

 

[insanity]

I have some ideas for an economical chick heater.



This is 12" wide heat tape. Its 23 watts per foot. its 3 bucks a foot and 4 bucks for the connector.

My thoughts are to attatch it to a stainless steel cookie sheet, add 1/2" reflective stryro insulation then another stainless cookie sheet on top.

Epoxy the cookie sheets together and you have a cleanable durable low power consumption chick heater

Flex Watt is great stuff. I use it in my incubator and all my reptile cages. If it shorts out it just stops very little/no fire hazard and humidity doesn't bother it.The only thing is it needs a really good thermostat to work properly. I prefer Helix brand myself.

 

[Penny Hen]

I have some ideas for an economical chick heater.



This is 12" wide heat tape. Its 23 watts per foot. its 3 bucks a foot and 4 bucks for the connector.

My thoughts are to attatch it to a stainless steel cookie sheet, add 1/2" reflective stryro insulation then another stainless cookie sheet on top.

Epoxy the cookie sheets together and you have a cleanable durable low power consumption chick heater

Where to get this?

 

[insanity]

It is used heavily for reptiles. Try LLL Reptile Supply. I am trying to get my DH to build a chick warmer but he plans to use a ceramic heat emitter panel "also a reptile product" Panels are designed for an above heat source. Flex Watt is designed for radiate from below.

 

[ozexpat]

Flex Watt is great stuff. I use it in my incubator and all my reptile cages. If it shorts out it just stops very little/no fire hazard and humidity doesn't bother it.The only thing is it needs a really good thermostat to work properly. I prefer Helix brand myself.

as it would be used for continuous use, the thermostat would not be required.

i would wire in a safety shut off if the heat went over 120F

Where to get this?

http://www.reptilebasics.com/12-heat-tape

 

[aart]

as it would be used for continuous use, the thermostat would not be required.

i would wire in a safety shut off if the heat went over 120F

http://www.reptilebasics.com/12-heat-tape

What temp does it get to without a shut off?
When you say shut off...does that mean it would not come back on?.....if so, then wouldn't a thermostat be a good idea?
Can't wait to see what you come up with!

 

[ozexpat]

It is used heavily for reptiles. Try LLL Reptile Supply. I am trying to get my DH to build a chick warmer but he plans to use a ceramic heat emitter panel "also a reptile product" Panels are designed for an above heat source. Flex Watt is designed for radiate from below.

my thoughts are that a stainless steel cookie sheet would conduct the heat well and radiate it downwards.

in the philippines the power is very erratic and incandesent bulbs last just a few weeks

this could be a good alternative

 

[insanity]

Oz,
That should work perfect with the safety switch. I just happen to have several thermostats left over from breeding bearded dragons so might as well use them.

 

[ozexpat]

Oz,
That should work perfect with the safety switch. I just happen to have several thermostats left over from breeding bearded dragons so might as well use them.

off to goodwill to find cookie sheets