Installing a pc fan in a homemade styrofoam incubator

[CinnamonQueen12]

Its that time of year again. The birds are singing, the chicks are hatching, and the frustrated screams of those (like me) who cant get their incubators to function properly can be heard from my house!!!! I bought a well insulated incubator, and got the bulbs, the wire for the eggs to rest on, the dimmer switch, the pie tins and sponges, and the hygrometer/thermometer. The only thing I didnt get was a therapist to help me through this! This is the second incubator I have put together, but with competely different results. I have read many posts about the water heater thermostat, so I went out and got one. Installed it the same day. Got frustrated the next day. The light goes off around 101 degrees and doesnt come back on untill around 88 degrees, even with the thermostat inches away from the bulb and held off the wall with stray nerf bullets that are always lying around the house. And now, the temp and humidity will not stay stable, so I am trying to find a way to install a pc fan. If anyone can help with step by step instructions, including the wiring, that would be great. Also, can anyone help with the thermostat?

 

[Arielle]

A number of people may jump in help here. I'll start.

WHT takes patience to adjust. Since you are planning to use a fan, wait on the WHT as it's function is affected by the blowing air.

On to the fan. I'm assuming you have: PC fan, adapter 5 volt or higher. Electricians tape. A knife to clean the wires. Let me go find the instructions--they were already posted on BYC. Start with reading this one. I'll Iook for others.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/8510/chic-chick-bator-updated

 

[Arielle]

This is another PC fan installed.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/55227/online-incubator-building-update-2



Depending on the size of your cooler you can buy a very small desk fan for under $10 at wal mart.

Fan blowing on the the light bulb and WHT is what works. You want the quick on-off cucling of the light bulb to keep the temps in a narrow margin of 99-100. One degree.

Also, you will want to think about adding a heat sink which helps keep the temp in a narrow range. THink about how much water you can put into the incubator that is well sealed in jars with a lid.

In mine, for example, I used several as the floor support.

 

[CinnamonQueen12]

What is the ideal rpm on the fan? I dont want something that will blow the lid off of the incubator!! whoosh!!