Incubator Fridge Conversion

MCB · 05-07-14, 06:58 AM

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 · 05-07-14, 08:48 AM

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 · 05-07-14, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 05-07-14, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCB

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 · 05-07-14, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

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 · 05-07-14, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCB

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 · 05-07-14, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

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 · 05-07-14, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCB

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 · 05-07-14, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smy_749

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 · 05-07-14, 11:46 AM

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

MCB · 05-07-14, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

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 · 05-07-14, 12:58 PM

Is that cm? That's huge.

MCB · 05-07-14, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

Is that cm? That's huge.

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

Sublimeballs · 05-07-14, 01:36 PM

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 · 05-07-14, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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