It's finally DONE!
THE INCUBATOR BUILD:
It is a converted wine cooler.
For a thermostat, I used
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0152LYY0I/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and ignored the cooling relay.
For the heating element I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01COPT7BG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
For the thermometers I used
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Y36FWTT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For the fan, I salvaged a fan from the original electronics.
For the 4 shelves, I built them from 1/4 inch thick wood planks and covered in 1/4 inch mesh then put a layer of window screen over top of the two shelves which will hold eggs.
The way it works is there is a false back into which a fan blows hot air from the middle and out two vents in the top and bottom. The false back is made with pink insulation foam and foil tape. The two vents are partially covered to get the best airflow and temperature in the target parts of the unit. The heating element is mounted across the back of the fan so air is drawn through it and hot air is blown out the other side of the fan.
The incubator has three shelves and the bottom level. Only the top shelf and bottom level are used to hold eggs since the middle shelf gets very close to the heating element and as such is hotter than the other levels. Each shelf that holds eggs has a Bluetooth thermometer that rides on top of the egg turner. The bottom level is unused because I think that between two shelves and DIY egg turners, I've got plenty of capacity. Also, there are 8 quarter inch holes along the sides of the incubator at the middle level so the fan draws in fresh air.
When it is time for lockdown all eggs are put into a basket with a window mesh top to keep the chicks from escaping and possibly hurting themselves. Due to the size of the basket, one shelf is removed entirely while the top and bottom of the incubator hold water trays.
Here is a picture of the incubator while I was simulating lockdown:
THE EGG TURNER BUILD:
The egg turners are built out of egg turner replacement motor, wood, super glue, and dollar tree poster board. The eggs are rolled on their sides by poster board guide rails attached to the motor. Quail eggs (I only plan on hatching quail) are turned 90-180 degrees (depending on egg size) every two hours. Each turner can hold about 40 eggs, the number varies depending on the egg size. Also, you might think that posterboard is too flimsy but it works well and I've run it for several days. The reason it works is due to the motor turning slowly because it turns so slowly the force exerted on the rails is small. However, the part that the motor arm touches must be wood.
Two improvements I made that aren't pictured are glueing guide boards to the sides of the shelf to keep the rails from slanting and gluing small strips in the middle of the rails between the eggs to keep the larger ones rolling.
Pictures:
PERFORMANCE:
Through the use of Bluetooth digital thermometers, I can see how the temperature fluctuates over time. The incubator has been running for several days during lockdown and normal incubation times.
top shelf:
bottom shelf:
Lockdown:
