Mini-fridge - DARTHBATOR

[walkswithdog]

Thought I'd upload the requested photos of Darthbator.

There are two fans, top and rear, both face away from the interior of the bator.

Those are puck - under cabinet lights. Still fiddling with perfect placement.

And the last batch of hatchlings 'til Fall, still drying.
Thermometers and wigglers up out of their way.

Sorry about the flash glare, glass also needs a recleaning from grouting the tile. Yes, I'm obsessed.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

Great Job!!!! You see fellow chicken lovers, you don't have to go out and buy an expensive unit. And you just saved the refrigerator from the dump.....going green. I'll bet Mr. walkswithdog would even build you one for free if you provide the materials. Once again you have proved you don't have to drop $600 for an incubator, great joband thanks for the pictures!

 

[walkswithdog]

I love building bators. I suppose that's kind of obvious. Doing stuff like tiling them gives me practice in small bits at something I want to do in my own bathroom some day.

My daughter contributes knitted pads for them to stand on and cuddle with.

I like Darthbator because he can sit on the desk next to the puter. I hatched over 60 chicks and poults in Darth this season. The only trouble I had were power outtages and once a dog unplugged the fans - neither being the bator's fault.

I did find an antique redwood cabinet bator (75.00$)

I'm refinishing

and working up the wiring etc. It's a 1910-1930's model Brower incubator, may or may not have been made by humidaire due to their close partnership at the time. That Brower was bought by the current metal-incubator Brower, post 1930.

I do like keeping things out of the landfills and making it useful again. I do a lot of that. Just helped a guy take down a barn and am recycling the wood for more coops.

Free wood and less in the landfills.

However, I'm a mother, not a father sort.

 

[HappyHatch'en]

I own a (redwood) Leahy Favorite Incubator Model 1200...8 tray 1,200 eggs.
I have rebuilt it for sale and haven't hatched any eggs yet, but ran it for a week and it kept perfect temp constantly. I also bought a laboratory incubator for $75.00, stainless steel insides with a "high dollar" control unit, looks like a mini fridge that I will convert to an incubator this fall.
Sorry for the Mr...................knowing you are a Ms. is even better....you did an excellent job, all that wiring and electrical stuff...I'm impressed Ms. walkswithdog!

 

[walkswithdog]

Laura really would kill me if I had bought an eight tray incubator. I love refinishing wood so I'm enjoying the project. As it is she says if I ever buy 600 eggs she's burning it to the ground. Chuckle. I figure on using only three trays at once. But I couldn't part with it.

Now if I find a second one - then yeah refurbish and sell. Browers and Humidaires from the time period are even rarer than the Leahy's, which I like. Still haven't gotten hold of anyone descended from the original Brower company. But I have some names.

I really like how Darthbator turned out, nice big double paned window, lots of light, lots of choices about where things go. I decided to tile for a heat sink, it does seem to help. I'm still fiddling with it and what I want out of it but it's already a working model so no hurry.

 

[jimnjay]

I love Darthbator. I have made several very basic ice chest type hatchers but yours is just awesome. Great Job.

 

[walkswithdog]

Darthbator came about after my first two ice chest bators. Which came after my LG...

What I didn't like about all three was the top down access. So when I saw Cyn's mini fridge the light went on. I also didn't like elements I could get burned on (fumble handed) and cramped space, and little view.

So I went away from typical. I also was avoiding $$$. That's a water heater thermostat, typically with a variation of .2 - .8 depending on weather. Usually .5. Two fans. I hand turn.

I am still fiddling with type and position of shelves but it's working. Using tile as a heat sink means no jars to fuss with or take up space. Which is mighty nice. I may yet play with heating elements. I like flexwatt heat tape. And might mix my elements for the next round.

And then I saw the glass tile and went a little crackers but I smile every time I look at it.

 

[dancingbear]

OMG, I love the name! I'm stealing it for when I build one. I have to. My son is a huge Star Wars fan. My grandson's name is Anakin.

Great job, I'm downright inspired!

 

[walkswithdog]

An entire generation of Darthbators would be cool! It must be BLACK though - no cheating with some nasty white fridge. Tile optional LOL.

 

[augustmomx2]

OMG, that is a wonderful looking bator...its almost like a piece of furniture that should be sitting out for display (with the benefit of chickies!) Thanks for sharing