Incubator Fridge Conversion

[MCB]

Probably being a bit lazy here but does anyone have any links to a good DIY / Bespoke incubator conversion carried out on a drinks / wine chiller fridge?

I recently picked up a pair of Tefcold drinks fridges for a bargain price and want to start converting them.

Any do's & don'ts from the experienced out there?

[smy_749]

Fan, heat tape, thermostat, done! Just tape it with alumimum tape along the back / top / whatever. Install fans, but be sure they won't generate too much heat. Then drill a hole and put the thermostat probe in, and just seal it up if its not snug enough.

[MCB]

Fan, heat tape, thermostat, done! Just tape it with alumimum tape along the back / top / whatever. Install fans, but be sure they won't generate too much heat. Then drill a hole and put the thermostat probe in, and just seal it up if its not snug enough.

Thank you, would that be PC fans, or small 12v ones? Would you put two strips of heat tape down both sides? And the probe, would that go in the egg substrate?

[smy_749]

Thank you, would that be PC fans, or small 12v ones? Would you put two strips of heat tape down both sides? And the probe, would that go in the egg substrate?


I'd imagine either of the two fan types would work. How much tape depends on the size of the incubator / fridge you are using. I like to heat from the top if I can, heating from the bottom produces water droplets on the ceiling of the egg container. Thermostat thermometer can go anywhere you want, just have another thermometer probe inside the egg container, or a regular thermometer without a probe, and adjust accordingly until you find what temperature the stat needs to be set at in order to get the right temps in the container. Do a test run before you put eggs in.

[MCB]

I'd imagine either of the two fan types would work. How much tape depends on the size of the incubator / fridge you are using. I like to heat from the top if I can, heating from the bottom produces water droplets on the ceiling of the egg container. Thermostat thermometer can go anywhere you want, just have another thermometer probe inside the egg container, or a regular thermometer without a probe, and adjust accordingly until you find what temperature the stat needs to be set at in order to get the right temps in the container. Do a test run before you put eggs in.

Again many thanks for your reply. Its an under counter / work top type, so 500/550mm tall. Are the metal racks/shelves ok to use?

Cheers for the info :)

[smy_749]

Again many thanks for your reply. Its an under counter / work top type, so 500/550mm tall. Are the metal racks/shelves ok to use?

Cheers for the info :)


They are fine, though I've found if you put heat tape directly in contact with metal racks you get a little tingly shock feeling when you touch it. Not a big deal and it wont be touching the metal shelves anyways. Also makes no difference to the eggs, they will be in containers.

[MCB]

They are fine, though I've found if you put heat tape directly in contact with metal racks you get a little tingly shock feeling when you touch it. Not a big deal and it wont be touching the metal shelves anyways. Also makes no difference to the eggs, they will be in containers.

Excellent, I'll start getting the stuff together. What wattage heat tape would you recommend for an incubator of that size?

[smy_749]

Excellent, I'll start getting the stuff together. What wattage heat tape would you recommend for an incubator of that size?

Honestly, not sure. Though more wattage is obviously better as it will not be running at maximum capacity in order to maintain the temperature you need. Also, depends on how many feet / cm of tape you are planning to use. I think if you start on the ceiling of the fridge with 4 " tape and go down the back you can give that a shot, see what % your thermostat is running the power at. If its constantly 100%, just add more tape to the side?

[MCB]

Honestly, not sure. Though more wattage is obviously better as it will not be running at maximum capacity in order to maintain the temperature you need. Also, depends on how many feet / cm of tape you are planning to use. I think if you start on the ceiling of the fridge with 4 " tape and go down the back you can give that a shot, see what % your thermostat is running the power at. If its constantly 100%, just add more tape to the side?

Great, looks like Ill be needing it quicker than expected. First of two pairings took place this afternoon :)

[Sublimeballs]

What are the demensions of the fridge? And are you planning on using these for the corns of Retics?

[MCB]

What are the demensions of the fridge? And are you planning on using these for the corns of Retics?

I bought two off the same guy. One for the corns and the other eventually for the retics.
Internal dimensions are 410x350x720

[Sublimeballs]

Is that cm? That's huge.

[MCB]

Is that cm? That's huge.

Lol, no it's in millimetres, I'm not breeding Ostriches Lol!

[Sublimeballs]

lol. I don't think that's gonna fit a retic clutch. But should work great for corn eggs, and guessing by how many you got you'll probably need both for the corns anyway. At that size and for corn eggs I'd think just do a strip of 6" heat tape down the length of the back wall. For a fan, if shipping isn't rediculous, reptile basics makes an adjustable speed fan for incubators. Don't put the thermostat probe in side of the egg tub, i found this causes condensation due to differing temps in and out of the tub. Just have it in the middle somewhere exposed to the air. And use a duel zone thermometer (probe inside the tub, unit in incubator) to monitor temps. And every spare space in the incubator I'd put full bottles of water to keep the temps more stable.

[MCB]

lol. I don't think that's gonna fit a retic clutch. But should work great for corn eggs, and guessing by how many you got you'll probably need both for the corns anyway. At that size and for corn eggs I'd think just do a strip of 6" heat tape down the length of the back wall. For a fan, if shipping isn't rediculous, reptile basics makes an adjustable speed fan for incubators. Don't put the thermostat probe in side of the egg tub, i found this causes condensation due to differing temps in and out of the tub. Just have it in the middle somewhere exposed to the air. And use a duel zone thermometer (probe inside the tub, unit in incubator) to monitor temps. And every spare space in the incubator I'd put full bottles of water to keep the temps more stable.

I did have some reservations about using the other for my retics, my plan was always to buy a taller version but as the guy was selling both so cheap I couldn't refuse them.
We'll I've enough great information from you both to get on with converting one now, so a great big thanks :D

[Sublimeballs]

No problem man, like I said before feel free to ask anything and ill help you with what I can. I'm really hoping everything goes great for you. Maybe if I'm in the uk in the future I can check out your awesome setup and snakes(hopefully I'd be able to visit a few of our uk members collections)in person. Where about are you at over there anyway?

[MCB]

No problem man, like I said before feel free to ask anything and ill help you with what I can. I'm really hoping everything goes great for you. Maybe if I'm in the uk in the future I can check out your awesome setup and snakes(hopefully I'd be able to visit a few of our uk members collections)in person. Where about are you at over there anyway?

Very kind of you mate, thanks.

We don't live that far from Manchester and the Lake District, we are out in the country side hence the need of a generator :eek:

We are over in Florida for three weeks later in the year though, you anywhere close by?

[Sublimeballs]

No problem man. Glad to help.

Depending on when you're in Florida I might be. I'm from south Florida originally but live in North Carolina now. I'm going down there sometime in the next few months(not sure when yet) to see family and friends(and a ton of exploring the Everglades). I'd be cool if we end up there at the same time. I'm going to try and catch some wild Burms while I'm there, I haven't found any yet, not from a lack of trying. The media makes it seem like you be stepping on them in the Everglades.

Forgot to say before: for the retic incubator I would either build one or convert a stand up freezer. I would want something that can fit atleast a 32qt tub for large clutchs.