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

[perchie.girl]

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

It would certainly be worth doing an experiment with it.... Do the specs on the heater say wether or not it has to have air circulation to keep it from over heating? Can you run it off a rheostat (dimmer switch) to control the temperature?

I have seen those online and have seen incubators done with them but I have never seen one "contained" in steel. If it can be this is a possiblity for doing heated water dishes.

deb

 

[ozexpat]

It would certainly be worth doing an experiment with it.... Do the specs on the heater say wether or not it has to have air circulation to keep it from over heating? Can you run it off a rheostat (dimmer switch) to control the temperature?

I have seen those online and have seen incubators done with them but I have never seen one "contained" in steel. If it can be this is a possiblity for doing heated water dishes.

deb

I went for Aluminum as its a better conductor of heat.

As it is "wattage by the inch" it is very easy to control the max output.

I will actually use 6" wide strips. A total of around 40 watts over the area of a half sheet cookie sheet

 

[unkadan]

I have use the Flex Watt in a number of applications here, this is another source for pieces and parts,,,this fellow is very helpful if you have questions (video in link)

http://incubatorwarehouse.com/flex-watt-heat-tape.html

 

[Kassaundra]

Quote:

 

[Beekissed]

I'll never cry on YOUR shoulder again! Hmmph!

To think I poured out my heart to you about Mr. Silkie Pants...in confidence!!!!

 

[LindaB220]

Too funny !!!!

Good luck on your workshop. Waiting to hear deets. Hello to all.

 

[ozexpat]

@Beekissed Thanks for the ideas on the heating pad

 

[DMRippy]

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

I made one of those about 18 inches long didn't work very well but might try it again. I still have it. I used concrete backerboard. You have to mount it on something fire proof since it can get up to 114-120 degrees. Finding a stable way to MOUNT it was hard. Bricks were the best I could use. need an easy way to clean it.

 

[DMRippy]

Quote: No you can't use a rheostat with it. we tried that too. thermostat is best. Not really sure how you would regulate it. It has a MAX temp but usually is in the low 100's. It has been know to catch fire and that is why you have to mount it on something fire proof. I use it in my incubator and my hatcher ..... still have some I think..... might revisit this idea since I am building new brooders this weekend. I will get pic tomorrow.... need to look up the max heat.

Sorry.... didn't finish that thought. How would you regulate it? If you used a thermostat where would you put the probe. I think it would just have to RUN.

I think I will recant the rheostat thing...... maybe you can. Looks like the max temp is 110.....

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote: No you can't use a rheostat with it. we tried that too. thermostat is best. Not really sure how you would regulate it. It has a MAX temp but usually is in the low 100's. It has been know to catch fire and that is why you have to mount it on something fire proof. I use it in my incubator and my hatcher ..... still have some I think..... might revisit this idea since I am building new brooders this weekend. I will get pic tomorrow.... need to look up the max heat.

Sorry.... didn't finish that thought. How would you regulate it? If you used a thermostat where would you put the probe. I think it would just have to RUN.

I think I will recant the rheostat thing...... maybe you can. Looks like the max temp is 110.....
Probably hardy backer board? or Cement board.... That would absorb the heat and distribute it. Reisistance causes heat for sure so maybe something that will just flip it on and off to regulate the heat.... Kind of like a stepper motor....the more steps the hotter it is the fewer steps the cooler.

deb