I MUST keep costs down on my incubator build. Please help w ideas

[jvls1942]

The float valve is the shut off valve.. I wet a 5 gallon pail on top of my cabinet and run the tube through a hole in the sida of the cabinet.. the tub is connected to the float valve which is mounted onto the bottom 3 inches of a 5 gallon pail. just keep water in the 5 gallon pail and the rest is automatic.. I put pieces of himidifier wicks into the pan to raise the humidity..

the depth of the water makes no difference.. the surface area of the exposed water is what determines the humidity..

for instance: a ten inch deep container with a 3 inch diameter will give you less humidity than a 1/4 inch deep container with a diameter of 10 inches..

and I agree with somebody who repllied,, those 500R plug in thermostats are ideal for ho-made bators ... I saw them for only $25.oo someplace on line.. after you are through incubating, the same unit can be used to regulate the tem in the brooder... double duty...

 

[bigoledude]

I know that surface area, not depth, is the variable that controls humidity inside the incubator. That's why I like midget_farms idea using a paint roller-tray. Adds a lot of surface area with a smaller amount of water. Way-ta-go Midge!!!

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
If I did not have all auto waterers, that would be what I would use too.. real good idea.. you get an "atta boy"..

 

[muddstopper]

My automatic humidity control

And if I ever get time to work the bugs out, this will be the humidity control

Along with the big circuit on the left,

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I'm running one of those foggers muddstopper. After 2 years I have had 2 fail so keep a spare..

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
how does a fogger operate? does it have some sort of sensor to control the Rh% ?? are they expensive and where do you get them?

 

[moetrout]

I'm curious if anyone ever uses a digital home thermostat for better temp control? I use to work for Honeywell and with that background in tstats I helped a fried setup a home t-stat to heat and cool his reptile cages. i realize this is more expensive, but I would think the control would be far superior to the wafer stats. I am not yet into hatching, but I think next spring I will start. you all have me thinking I should just build a bator. I have a lot of the materials laying around already. Including an old coleman cooler that just recently floated down the stream and is laying on the bank near my home. Cooler work well for this don't they?

Great info here!

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
If I was going to spend that much on a thermostat I sure wouldn't waste it on a coleman cooler.. I would build myself a nice cabinet or modify a refrigerator or upright freezer.. and put an auto turner in it also..

 

[muddstopper]

Quote:
Dirty water usually does them in. Calcium deposit buildup, minerals. I keep spare replacement disc on hand.

What are you using for a controller. Mine has a 24v power supply which I turn on/off by way of a humidstat, but my problem is the humidstat is to slow to recognize the humidity change and the fogger can dump way to much moisture in the air to be on for more than just a few seconds at a time.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

This page has my setup an a video of it working. http://cmfarm.us/humiditycontrol.html
I removed the bag an tube later because they were not needed.


You can tilt the fogger or make the water deeper to make it less efficient. That may help your humidistat catch up.

I have it in a sportsman size incubator now an it is doing good but would probably not work well in anything smaller.