Getting the flock out of here - a diary of a crazy chicken man

[ozexpat]

It's an old upright freezer I have converted. I have a direct wired computer fan, and have been using the heating element from my old stryrofoam Bellsouth incubator,
but it doesnt have the power to heat the whole bator reliably.

xxx M

the element from a styrobator is only about 30 watts. You probably need 60-80 watts to get that going properly

you can try running a 40 watt light in it continuously and use the element to actually control the temp. If you have a work light type lamp,try running it inside as an experiment.

another option is to use

you can replace the styro element with this one.

i use one of these in my bordeaux bator. in the phils lights seem to burn fast so i am using these to replace lights.

http://www.amazon.com/Amico-Cartrid...466800&sr=8-3&keywords=220v+heating+cartridge

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-densit...841?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d0dea60f1

 

[Ashburnham]

Ah thanks mate!
I have seen those heater elements on Ebay, but havent yet found an Aussie source for them.
They are certainly cheap enough.

Light bulbs a real problem- dont last long- if you go for super long lasting ones
like LEDs - lots of light, no heat!

I have several old cars lying about the farm - i was thinking I might have a look at the 12 volt heater elements in them.

Cheers M

 

[apteryx]

Incubator Warehouse sells a 110V (125W) version of heater cartridge Oz suggested. I think they are about $12 plus shipping.

 

[apteryx]

Sorry - I forgot that you are in Australia with 240V power...

 

[Ashburnham]

Another brilliant idea I had was maybe stripping the elements out of a cheap electric blanket and running that through the controller.

 

[Ashburnham]

Thanks apteryx- incubator warehouse also sell 220/240 volt models,
but in my experience postage from the US usually costs more than the item you are buying! lol

 

[ozexpat]

Ah thanks mate!
I have seen those heater elements on Ebay, but havent yet found an Aussie source for them.
They are certainly cheap enough.

Light bulbs a real problem- dont last long- if you go for super long lasting ones
like LEDs - lots of light, no heat!

I have several old cars lying about the farm - i was thinking I might have a look at the 12 volt heater elements in them.

Cheers M

i buy from china on ebay - always get my stuff within 2 weeks. too cheap not to try.

I also use the 220V on 110V with no problems

the only problem with 12v is the number of amps you will need to drive it. high output transformers are expensive

 

[apteryx]

Not a problem. I have obviously been in the States for too long as I keep forgetting about the extra cost of shipping overseas. Also, I agree with Oz that most of the heaters on eBay from China are too cheap not to try. My downfall is that I am usually too impatient (read disorganized - I leave the ordering too late and end up needing it yesterday) to wait the two weeks.

 

[Ashburnham]

Ah well- I will wait until the controller arrives and then experiment hooking heaters up to it.
No hurry - i have my 24 egg Rcom Incubator running hot.

 

[piglett]

Yeah, we have 8...lol. What does the minimal temp need to be for them outside? I'm not expecting the daytime lows to stay this low for more than a day or so. Nighttime lows will probably routinely dip into the mid 60's all summer.

We've been changing the bedding once a week...but I'm sniffing that's not enough.

do a search for an "Ohio brooder"
i have built a couple & i love them
much cheeper to run than a 250 watt brooder lamp
i have some 2 week old peeps out in mine at the moment & i am only running a pair of 15 watt bulbs
they are "snug as a bug in a rug"