Incubator finished but need to know temperature variance tolerance

[Engteacher]

Help!

My son and I are building our own incubator, but I'm confused by step #22 in the GopherBator directions.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7562-The_GopherBator

I was in the girls-don't-need-to-know-how-to-do-this generation, which means I can make a delicious apple pie with crust to die for, but can't wire this bator up.

What do they mean "Cut the back off a 12 volt transformer"? I bought a transformer from Radio Shack for 12.00, but I can't see how to cut anything off. It's all metal.

Is there a diagram anywhere? I have a light, a fan, a thermostat, a transformer, a plug with 2' of wire, extra house wiring, little caps for putting over connections, and electrical tape.

Please help me. My eggs are coming in a week or two and I have to finish this and stabilize the temp ASAP.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

What do they mean "Cut the back off a 12 volt transformer"? I bought a transformer from Radio Shack for 12.00, but I can't see how to cut anything off. It's all metal.

The transformer is a black box that plugs in the wall an has a wire coming out of it right? You cut the far end of the wire off. the end away from the box. strip it back. there should be to wires in there an each goes to a different wire on the fan.


Remember the transformer an fan are one curcut. The thermostat an light is a separate circut. Do not connect them together in any way.

 

[Engteacher]

That's not what my transformer looks like. It's all metal and has five wires. It looks like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102703

Do you think I bought the wrong thing?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Thats what I was afraid of....

You need one of these. that says (Output 12V DC) on it.

Actually one that says anything from 6V to 18V DC output will work but 12V is best. Farther ya get from 12V the quicker the fan will burn out

 

[Engteacher]

Hey, I still have the receipt. I try to return it. We might have one of these things around the house. I'll see what we can find.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

If you dont you have a friend who does.....Every guy I know has a closet full of them.

 

[Engteacher]

Okay, I found one. Input: 100 - 240 V and the output: 5V. Sound about right?

What exactly do I cut off? Do I cut the main wire that comes out of it? How much cord do I keep? It's about 3' long now.
I looked at your website, and it looks like you have lots of experience tinkering with this sort of stuff. You'll be the air traffic controller. I'll be the frantic one sitting in the cockpit trying to land this aircraft with ZERO experience... Ok?

 

[aprophet]

what is the voltage of the fan?

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Just cut the connector off an strip the wire back about a half inch. If you have a PC fan it is made for 12V. It should turn using 5V but I'm not sure how fast.

 

[raimnel]

keep looking for one that's a little higher in volts as close to 12v as u can. My 11 works good, not sure if a 5v will even turn it worth a darn