location of heat source in homemade incubator *update* pics of toybox incubator and flexwatt post #1

[quintinp]

As for the fan, I would place 1 large fan, or 2 small fans, pointing downward in the upper back side of the incubator.

I would really like to see pictures, and maybe note a little more specific things that you are wanting to change, would be helpful.

By the way, I couldn't find in the posts, what type of thermostat you are using.

I can't really understand what this incubator looks like, as I have never heard of a toy box incubator, and then on your thread title, it says something about a cabinet incubator.

 

[moetrout]

I would be really careful using heat tape as a heat source. The main reason being it was not designed for it. that is if you are using what I think you are. The stuff that you would normally wrap around water pipes to keep them from freezing?

As to your problem, I think I would definitely look at adding another fan or two. You have a larger space and need to get the heat distributed to keep and even temp. You could kind of think of it as a single purpose convection oven. Convection ovens work better becuase they have a fan to keep the heat circulating around for a more even and accurate temprature. Also adding mass to your bator would help. That could be water filled jars/bags/bottles, rocks, bricks, anything that would hold heat.

 

[kvmommy]

I use flex watt heat tape which is for reptiles. It can heat from 70-105 degrees. I use the zoomed repti-temp thermostat. And its 33 inches long, 13 inches wide and 13 inches deep.
So the top opens up and has the windows, the front has a door that opens out for easier access to the water and what not. The black thing on the back is the flexwatt heat tape, but I have a different size coming in. I'll be placing two 3" 2.5 feet of flex watt. I'm not sure I know where I should put it. The fan is currently at the top right. It blows pretty strong. I have a ton of baby jars of water as heat sinks. So any recommendations on the location of the heat tape and fan? Should I leave it where it is? I had a hard time keeping the temp stable in some parts of the box but I think the new heat tape will regulate it better. But still I want the best location.

 

[kvmommy]

Please anyone? I know rebel cowboy helped me when I built this sucker last year. anyone know how to find him?

 

[quintinp]

I would be really careful using heat tape as a heat source. The main reason being it was not designed for it. that is if you are using what I think you are. The stuff that you would normally wrap around water pipes to keep them from freezing?

As to your problem, I think I would definitely look at adding another fan or two. You have a larger space and need to get the heat distributed to keep and even temp. You could kind of think of it as a single purpose convection oven. Convection ovens work better becuase they have a fan to keep the heat circulating around for a more even and accurate temprature. Also adding mass to your bator would help. That could be water filled jars/bags/bottles, rocks, bricks, anything that would hold heat.

Well, I think the heat tape you are talking about is the coil that wraps around the pipes to keep from freezing.


This heat tape they are talking about is actually called flex watt.

 

[quintinp]

Please anyone? I know rebel cowboy helped me when I built this sucker last year. anyone know how to find him?

Well, all I can tell you, is that if it works, don't "fix" it. If there are problems, I would consider keeping 2 very large fans, both on one end of the incubator.

 

[WalkingWolf1]

The box doesn't seem to be overly large. You have definitely insulated and have more than adequate "reflective" capacity. What seems to be the problem that you feel you need to upgrade? You did mention the original heat tape barely kept up. If you are going with twice as much then that should be adequate. The fan you have installed will move the air throughout. I don't think you need a breeze blowing as this seems to cause more humidity instability issues. I have (2) 25W bulbs installed and a 4" 12v fan running on a 5v converter. The temps and humidity are rock steady. I can increase or decrease the humidity by how much surface area of water is exposed (ie. changing the type of water container). I have the wafer type thermostat and the temp varies 0.3F.

 

[kvmommy]

I think you guys are right...it wasn't really broken. I think i'm going to leave the fan where it is and I'm actually going to place on strip on the top at the back on one the bottom of the back. Then I'll test it with many thermometers spaced all around, thats the only way I'm going to find out if theres any hot or cold spots. I'm super excited. Unfortunately my 18 mo. old crawled on top of it and the plexi glass seperated from the wood. I'm going to have to get it back together. I'm not sure how'll it work since I already have a ton of glue and caulkinging that was holding it together and it was not easy to get it to stick and dry. I could put it above the hole for the window, but vanity prevents me from doing so because it looks better underneath. *sigh

 

[quintinp]

You could screw the plexi glass to the wood to hold it in place, and caulk it to seal the edges.

 

[kvmommy]

I tried to screw it and it didn't work. There must be a special techinque. Do you know how?