New Incubator Project

[reptilenut]

I am planning on building my own incubator. I am going to use a 16 bottle Wine Cooler. This is the silent Thermoelectric type. The issue was it only went up to 66 degree's Farenheit. So from another thread and user Jermh1, I wanted to reverse the polarity of the Thermoelectric cooler, so it will produce heat.

After a PM from Jermh1 telling me that his crapped out from being reversed, I am guessing it over heated. I was sure that my dreams were a wash.

After tinkering around with the Wine Cooler (was free BTW) I discovered the Thermoelectric Cooler is 12v DC.. (ok I know getting nerdy here). This is where I think the issue is with using the existing guts of the wine cooler. If you use a normal Helix by plugging in the wine cooler to the Helix, the now reversed cooler will over heat and burn out.

So putting some thought and the power of Google I found a great 12v electronic thermostat kit. This should be able to be connected directly to the thermoelectric cooler of the wine cooler, not the original power supply of the wine cooler. This will allow the thermostat to control the heating unit independently. The thermostat is the off-on type, which I feel will be best for this setup to reduce the chance of over heating and blowing out the heating unit. My thoughts are that a Helix will constantly keep power going to the heating unit, not allowing it to cool down properly.

Below is the pictures of the wine cooler and the thermostat I will be using. I will give a full write up with pictures as soon as the thermostat arrives should be later next week.

I know there are loads of post here on how to build an incubator, and I hope to fill this need. Though a little more advanced, still should not be that difficult for most people to build.

So far at the time of this post my total cost is:

Wine Cooler = Free (gotta love Craigslist)
Thermostat = $14.00 shipped.

 

[reptilenut]

Can a mod move this to the DIY Section? I don't know what the H. I was thinking..

 

[Taquiq]

What thermostat are you using?

 

[reptilenut]

The one in the image above.

The only issues is the thermostat is rated up to 86 F, which is fine for my needs, but since this is a self build project. I should easily be able to replace the Temp sensor for one that will allow the temperature to go up higher. One great thing I can extend the probe so that only the probe will be in the incubator, and not the entire thermostat.

This can be purchased as a kit, or pre-assembled. ( I am a nerd so I ordered the kit )
this is basically the only option I found that is 12v. I only wish it had an lcd to adjust the temp. I am sure it can be done, but out of my scope of ability.

Here is the link

http://www.apogeekits.com/thermostat.htm

 

[thegeckoguy23]

The one in the image above.

The only issues is the thermostat is rated up to 86 F, which is fine for my needs, but since this is a self build project. I should easily be able to replace the Temp sensor for one that will allow the temperature to go up higher. One great thing I can extend the probe so that only the probe will be in the incubator, and not the entire thermostat.

This can be purchased as a kit, or pre-assembled. ( I am a nerd so I ordered the kit )
this is basically the only option I found that is 12v. I only wish it had an lcd to adjust the temp. I am sure it can be done, but out of my scope of ability.

Here is the link

http://www.apogeekits.com/thermostat.htm

it well cost less to just buy a hovabator

 

[jermh1]

Hello again Greg,
I wound up running a 2ft section of heat tape up the back of the cooler and down on the bottom. I used foam as a spacer and have the stock fan hooked up to a 12v wall tick (power supply)
On the bottom Instead of water bottles to help stabalize the temp I used water crystals in a food saver bag, cut to the length of the incubator, so If it leaks it wont leak. I did check the actual cooler/heater with a 12v power supply and it still does work, it was the electronics on the wine coolers board that couldnt handle the frequent on/off

 

[reptilenut]

it well cost less to just buy a hovabator

I have a little giant, I am wanting something larger and more stable. As well as having a nice looking incubator, with large viewing window and light.
As it stands right now I have paid 30.00 more for my little giant than I will have in this setup. Since the Wine cooler was free

@jermh1 that was a thought as well. With this method the unit it's self will be on all the time, only the cooler/heater will be turned on and off. So it should not affect the original electronics of the wine cooler. The temp LCD (not the adjustments) on the front of the unit should work as well, just not as accurate as I would like. That is why I will use the digital Therm w/probe I have. Doing this will keep the stock look, with out seeing any flexwatt or anything inside but my lovely eggs. I am going to be using the Gel Packs you mentioned to help stabilize the temp etc..

 

[reptilenut]

An update on the build, nothing to show picture wise.

Here is what I did. I cut the wires going to the cooler/heater. Hooked those into the thermostat in reverse making it only a heater. The new Incubator has been running a week now set at 81 degrees. I am pretty impressed, it is right on by .5 degree fluctuation, but never dropped below 81 degrees. I am still to nervous to put in any eggs till I am sure it is going to be stable long term.

I am going to let it run for a month, to make sure there are no major malfunctions.

I chose this method and thermostat one for cost, and two it runs constantly. The thermostat does not shut down the original electronics of the Wine Cooler, this will save major wear and tear on the unit it's self.

Any questions feel free to ask.