INCUBATING w/FRIENDS! w/Sally Sunshine Shipped Eggs No problem!

[Sally Sunshine]

OK I made a coolerbator yesterday. Calling it the picnicbator. I decided to use the smaller cooler I have had for a few years (and never used). Here it is


The top on this cooler is not hinged to the cooler. It comes completely off and actually has a storage area inside. Like so




When I opened the cooler up I found two plastic trays inside. Looked like excellent water wells to me.




OK so I started the lid modifications by cutting a 6"x6" piece of Plexiglass and drew a 5"x5" square inside the lid.


I then cut the box out of the lid using a jigsaw (this was extremely difficult because of the 4" recess inside the lid) and turned out like this


Next I made a couple pieces of Z style aluminum (lucky enough to have a brake on hand) sliders for the window and screwed them to the lid like so




Since the window slides to the open position, the bator can be accessed without removing the lid entirely, limiting the amount of temperature and humidity loss GREATLY! I can also close the top lid to keep the flashing light from bothering me.

So now onto the box itself. These are the devices I installed into the cooler itself


So first I figured out where I wanted the fan and drilled my bolt holes for mounting. I also drilled 12 11/32" holes on 2 sides (6 holes each) for ventilation (before mounting the fan to avoid accidentally hitting it with the drill bit). Installed the fan.


Now onto the heat bulbs and wire screen. I used 1/2" hardware cloth for the screen (plan to cover with shelf liner). I cut a small 5"x5" piece of 1/2" plywood from a cutoff and mounted the plastic lampholder directly to that. Used a cord from a trash electronic device and just left the plug on it. Wired the other end to the fixture. So after I put the water wells, heat source and guard screen in I had something that looked like this




Next up is making my controller. I constructed a box 6"x5"x5" out of a cutoff of 1/2" plywood. On one end I mounted the digital temperature controller. On the other, I mounted a receptacle and drilled holes for the main power input and the thermocouple sensor to come out. Wired it all together and closed up the box ends.






So the heating element just plugs into the receptacle and the thermocouple goes through the vent hole close to the heat source.

I've got it running right now, and with one water well humidity is sitting steady at 57%. I don't think I'm going to be able to use the other. It's too big. So still working out a couple minor kinks but that's what I've got so far.

I really hope nobody quotes this post

VERY VERY COOL!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

Quote: of course!! any time! that hold can be closed, if you feel the need to create another do it off to the side, but glue that plug in

 

[kwhites634]

Leave it to you, Turkey

 

[mrleeroy]

Time to get to work. Hope you all have a great day!

 

[Sally Sunshine]

Wow, I forgot how fast this thread flies! Well, here's an update!

While on vacation, we had a big snow, the little chickens didn't go into the coop, and my neighbor didn't notice. All but two died. So I have one hen, one rooster of Sally's mix. I was super bummed.

Got back, my olive eggers were still being brooded inside and are doing fabulous! They are cute and mellow!

My dad saved a dozen more olive egger eggs for me to put into uglybator.
Plugged it in, stable temps, put eggs in, and this morning the temp inside was 113F. NOOOOO!!!! I think the off switch relay went out, but will have to check with the spouse. The light bulb will not turn off. The eggs are toast right???

awwww veny I am so sorry about the chickens!! awwwww not sure
candle in a day so sorry!
What is the maximum and minimum range of temp I can go before killing the chicks? post #12473

Sally and LoKo:

Coolerbator is good. I had to do a few things different because the cooler I found had wheels and a big metal handle. That changed where I had to mount lights, which changed the fan. Then I put a HUGE window right in front, so that changed the vent holes. I glued the glass from the inside and kept the front "insert" to pop in and out for insulation.

The very bottom was 7 3/4 x 19 1/4, roughly. We made a frame of scrap wood and hardware cloth to raise the eggs a bit. I'm using a 25w bulb full time, and a 40w wired to the digital tstat.

There were two coolers at the junk sale Saturday but I didn't get them.

I think I'm at $30 on the build: tstat was $16, fan was $4 (plus tax it was $21 on amazon for both), then $1.50 each on two ceramic bases, found shelf liner as a remnant in the fabric section, got four old extension cords for $1 at the junk sale, then two boxes of bulbs.

I already had the cooler, glass, duct tape, goop adhesive, wood, hardware cloth, and 12v charger (though it's wrong).

I get nervous when I go off book. I don't wanna get scolded.

sounds cool!!! must have pics too please!!!
scolded by whom? what book? yer nutty lmao!! love you for it!

Quote: Nope! This isn't me! I'm doing ok! Except for frying my eggs

Hi there, Veny!!!!

Sure have missed you around here! How are you???

Thanks! I'm doing ok! Getting back in the swing of things now that we're done visiting the in-laws. I'm itching to garden and check on my honeybees. I hope the warm weather here in Kansas stays.
I know I got it screwed up at some point major internet issues of late!!

Quote: you dont have to make the cans go around the lights, just enough to protect the lid, or just attach to the lid. your a designer, think out of the box lmao

 

[venymae]

awwww veny I am so sorry about the chickens!! awwwww not sure
candle in a day so sorry!
What is the maximum and minimum range of temp I can go before killing the chicks? post #12473

Hmmm....well brinsea website seems to say toast. I'm pretty sure it was like that for several hours. I'll check in a day or two. My pops only has 4 hens right now so better ask him to gather again. Haaaa...I'm going to build a new coolerbator! Or at least modify ugly!

 

[Chaos18]

you dont have to make the cans go around the lights, just enough to protect the lid, or just attach to the lid. your a designer, think out of the box lmao

The problem is I design the box.

 

[Chaos18]

Leave it to you, Turkey

Sally did the same thing so make sure you yell at her pretty face as well.

 

[Sally Sunshine]

OK I have a cake to bake for Dads Bday dinner tonight

coolerbators and homemade coolers info is at our notes link!

CABINET/COOLERBATOR ~ CoolerBATOR ~

TIPS TRICKS for Incubators & Adding Fans and Thermostats
ADD a LEGO to your dial of cheap styro bator to make minor adjustments! GENIUS post #38133
Why fit a fan in an egg incubator? Click HERE
Ozexpat switching out thermostats in styros post #1788 & post #1505 Getting the Flock out of Here
ADDING FANS to BATORS fans are important: start at post #33174 post #33200 post #32613 post #1213 and post #1396 post #24219
FAN MOUNTING hardware post #33245 post #33279
HOW TO WIRE FAN: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/315773/computer-fans-in-the-incubator-how-to-rewire
Incubator Warehouse 3 VIDEOS on FAN install post #33206
LocalYokel sideways fan post #39089 post #39417
Hot water heater Thermostats, Must get drilled see post #24915 understand WHY HERE: CoolerBATOR

Thermostats ChickenCanoe Uses bottom of post #39984
Digital Temperature Controller Thermostat Control Switch Unit 1 Relay Output with Sensor http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015G25HNQ?pldnSite=1
Heating Elements:
Aluminum PTC Heating Element Thermostat Heater Plate http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B019O0Q26M
Docooler® Digital Temperature Controller Thermocouple with Sensor CLICK HERE
discussion post #45859
Wafer thermostat upgrade styro post #13
Wiring diagram for the STC1000 https://mostlyharmlessales.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/temp-controller-wiring-diagram.jpg
Installing STC1000 post #1
Incu Warehouse heat wont go up post #46629

Home-made DIY Incubators
BYC MEMBERS Homemade Incubators CLICK HERE
Strombergs Incubator Parts Click HERE
The Non-Alcoholic Wine Cooler Incubator https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chrystalgails-chicken-incubator
INCUBATOR IDEAS AND HOW TO: post #657 and CABINET COOLER INCUBATOR ~ CoolerBATOR ~ post #1456 post #3123 post #1062 post #24900
RUSH LANE~ MUST SEE B4 making your own! https://www.youtube.com/user/RushLanePoultry Links to 'bator building! post #4423
Building incubator how many vent holes? BEGINS AT post #24731
Hatcher pans examples for cabinets post #27306
Silverhair Mini fridge homemade Incubator post #29128
chicknloves cooler bator build! post #29855 post #30597 post #39395 post #53853
NOT SURE ON THIS THERMOSTAT ITC-308 temperature controller see chicknloves coolerbator built also post #39423
Bennys BATOR BUILD post #29068 post #51823
canadachickens Bator Build post #30935 post #44094
fresnofarmer post #32058 post #32065 post #40845 post #42282
CliftonFarmer cooler bator build begins post #32561 post #33354
Fires cabinet post #34279
Coolerbator country lovin post #45089 post #45859
Frying pan incubator? http://www.fowlvisions.com/homemade-egg-incubator/
HOW TO SEAL a BATOR https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1075333/sealing-diy-incubators
Simple double box incubator "put together" click HERE
Creating a Sportsman type Incubator https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/da-bator
Wine cooler DIY Incubator https://seventreesfarm.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/new-incubator-more-trial-more-error-more-fun/

DIY Turners & Egg Trays & Hatching Baskets Mics
Bennys Awesome MANUAL horizonal EGG TURNER post #29955
Easy manual egg carton pvs turners click HERE and another in HERE
Taos genius microwave turner starting post #1516 post #1520 post #2150 post #35831 post #1790 post #43486 post #48591post #51403
Homemade automatic or manual HORIZONTAL egg turner CLICK HERE
Sallys manual cabinet turner with trays post #32186
Egg trays, also look at Cutler Supply and Hawkhead Hatchery Equipment
Manual PVC turner for incubator HERE
How to put a turner back together post #36330
Hatching baskets Egg Trays and sizes/depths post #64634
DIY Egg Tray Hatching Baskets out of Hardware Cloth post #64620
GFQ Turner Supplemental Maintenance Manual with detailed images http://www.gqfmfg.com/PDF/Cabinet Turner Supplemental.pdf
Rotisserie motor considered using with a timer chkncanoe CLICK HERE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271467738979?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[kwhites634]

That's awesome. If I ever get to whack one I'd like to get a full body. But finances will probably dictate a pedestal mount like my coyote.

Here's my 1st one ever, in 1981. Cost me $150, from one of the best taxidermists in the country, who happened to live about 5 miles from here.

The only buck I've ever shot that was worthy of mounting. Neck was so swollen taxidermist said he may have to use a mule deer form; don't know whether he did or not.

 

[Chaos18]

Here's my 1st one ever, in 1981. Cost me $150, from one of the best taxidermists in the country, who happened to live about 5 miles from here.

The only buck I've ever shot that was worthy of mounting. Neck was so swollen taxidermist said he may have to use a mule deer form; don't know whether he did or not.

I wish it still cost that much. I haven't shot a buck yet thats been worth the $300-$400 price tag to hang it on the wall. I think I paid just shy of $300 to get a pedestal mount done of a coyote I shot.