homemade incubator question-new question* update with pics

[kvmommy]

I'm making a homemade incubator out of a wooden toybox. Its about 3/4 of an inch thick. Does it need insulation? If so...what do I use to stick the insulation to the wood? Also, how well does the lid need to seal around the top? Is it something I can just leave or is there some kind of insulation for that too? Thanks in advance!

 

[Minniechickmama]

Go to the top of this page to "Coop Designs" there are lots of different incubators that people have made that might help you out. Yes, you want to have some insulation and for it to be easy to clean and disinfect.
Good luck. Post pictures on here and tell about it so the rest of us can see how you do it.

 

[kvmommy]

Quote:
I did look...but boy is it confusing! I got great ideas, but some of the instructions were vague. Ok...I think I know what kind of insulation to get then. Thank you!

 

[kvmommy]

More questions!!!

The box is about 32 inches long, and 12 inches wide after installing the planned insulation. Will one PC fan work or will I need two? If I need two...is there a way to install them together on one power supply?

 

[Minniechickmama]

When I build mine, I think I am going to use the foil backed bubble wrap type stuff called Reflectix, I think? There is a cabinet style that Al6517 built and that is what he used. He said it is easy to clean up. I like the style he used and want to do something similar when i do mine.
I know what you mean though, sometimes I just scratch my head. I will solicit my husband with the electrical stuff since he is familiar with that kind of stuff.
I have an old oak entertainment center we dismantled that I am using the wood from to do mine.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Asking the wrong gal on that one. Although, I would think 1 would do. Are you using an auto turner?

 

[kvmommy]

Quote:
My husband was supposed to help me too, but he's in the military and they like to give us a few days notice when he deploys. Only for a week or two, but he won't be around to help me. I won't be using an autoturner initially I don't think, but then I hope to switch to it.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

No you dont need insulation. The wood has a great R value its self but you can add more. A sealing door would be nice but you need some ventilation so a leaky door may cover that.

One fan should be enough if the box is not to deep an you dont have more than one level of eggs. You can run 2 fans on one power supply though, as long as the amps they draw together is less than the amps output of the power supply.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Quote:
My husband was supposed to help me too, but he's in the military and they like to give us a few days notice when he deploys. Only for a week or two, but he won't be around to help me. I won't be using an autoturner initially I don't think, but then I hope to switch to it.

Ya don't have to tell me about being a military wife. I was active duty, then I got out and my hubby was still in for a couple of years. He was out more than in. When we totaled up the days and found that he spent 3 of the first 13-months of our son's life with him, we decided that was enough. We never looked back and things have been good.

Anyway, Good luck. As you have been told, you don't NEED to insulate. But I would still recommend something in the inside so you can clean and disinfect it all when a hatch is done. Wood can harbor nasties, as you probably already are aware.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

True you don't need to insulate, but if you get a power outage you will be glad you did. Also insulation will keep the incubator temperature less affected by conditions outside the incubator. Thermostat will work to keep the range insulated or not, but it won't need to work as hard or cycle as often if you have good insulation and a good amount of thermo-mass.