DIY Incubator Project #3

 More time in the shed this afternoon and the incubator is up and running for testing.

This first image shows the back of the freezer where I drilled the hole through for the heat cord and thermostat probe.  You can just see the hole pretty much in the middle of the picture to the left of the black power board of the thermostat.  I popped a couple of screws in to secure the cream power board and another to attach the black one.

I actually ended up moving the black power board a little to the right because I was not happy that the heat cord was resting on it as you can see in this picture.  So the final result is pretty functional I think.

 These next images are of the front of the freezer with the controller unit of the thermostat secured to the door with velcro strips.  I have set it to 29 degrees Celsius.  It has a 1 degree variance built in and an alarm that goes off if the probe detects temperatures 3 degrees either side of the desired value.  You can see that when I took the photo it was sitting within the 1 degree tolerance of the unit.

The final image is of the dual probe thermometer that I am using to test how well the unit works.  I have the first probe sitting next to the sensor of the thermostat on the top shelf.  In this image it is the bottom reading of 29.4.  The other sensor is sitting in the middle of the freezer and is about half a degree lower.  All of that is pretty positive because the temperatures are all fine to hatch the Bearded Dragon eggs that I hope to have to incubate in it soon.

This thermometer also tracks maximum and minimum temperatures, so I will have some idea of how stable the temperatures stay over time.  I will also be putting the probes of this thermometer at different points over the next few days, just to be sure that the temperatures are stable throughout.  I will try the thermostat probe at different levels as well.  I want to get the best results and have a little time up my sleeve as it were to get it all right.

Once I am happy that everything is as it should be, I will seal up the hole that I made to insert the heat cord and thermostat probe with silicone to insulate it as best as possible.

I am happy with the results so far and looking forward to using my new incubator in anger!

DIY Incubator Project #2

I spent some more time on the incubator project tonight.  First step was to rip out all the components that made it a functional freezer, at least those that were able to be removed without  me having to cause any damage to the basic properties of insulation that make a unit like this perfect to convert into an incubator.

Next it was time to give the freezer a good once over using bleach to clean it.  I paid particular attention to the door seals.  As with most if not all older fridges and freezers there was some mould built up in the seals, so a good going over was in order.  A quick hose down inside and out and it was sparkling....well almost.  I am a bloke after all.

Next step was to drill a hole from the outside at the back of the unit through to the inside to run both heat cord and thermostat probe.  You can see in the first picture that it went pretty well.  I passed all but the last few centimetres of the heat cord through, leaving only enough to plug it in when the time comes.

Then it was time to carefully work the probe cord through the same opening.  I used a 10mm drill bit with a view to fitting both cords through the same hole and then sealing it back up.  It was a tight fit and a bit fiddly to get them both through, but, I got there.

Not knowing how these sorts of things are constructed, it was interesting for me to see that there are three layers to the freezer.  There was the outer case, an middle insulating layer that looked like a form of polystyrene to me.  Finally there was an inner shell which looks to be a single piece of metal.  The outside was the toughest layer and it took a little careful work with the drill to get through.  The other two layers found the drill bit cutting through very easily.

Once I had the cords through the new hole it was time to start working on securing the heat cord appropriately.  For this, I used the 10mm cable clips I purchased earlier this week.  I actually found this task to be more difficult that I expected.  I spent the best part of half an hour trying to get the first pin hammered into the inside casing of the freezer with absolutely no success.  I eventually grabbed the smallest drill bit that I had on hand (1.5mm) and drilled some starter/pilot holes for the nails that fasten the clips in place.  It was then that I was able to get the nails driven home.  Even then it was more challenging than you would think.  Working in a confined space and trying to swing a hammer on obscure angles whilst trying to avoid fingers the size of mine at the same time is the reason I describe the process as challenging.  I tried a 2mm drill bit as well at the start, however, it was just that fraction too big for comfort.  This did mean that it was still an effort to get the nails in, but, better that than have them  not secure properly.  For me, making the initial holes would be the best tip I would pass on to anyone attempting the same thing.  As I said, it took me half and hour to get the fist clip secured.  The rest took me the best part of an hour once I got going.  I'd still be there now if it weren't for the holes.  No doubt cursing the name of anyone daring to come near.

This second image shows the results of my efforts.  You can also see the black thermostat probe in the middle of the top shelf.  I'm not entirely sure where I will fasten it in the end, but, for now, this stage of the project is complete.  I am pretty pleased with the results thus far.

DIY Incubator Project #1

This is the first post in a series I will be doing on converting a second hand freezer into an egg incubator.  I have seen this sort of conversion on the web and will be using that sort of information to guide my efforts.  I am hoping that it will be relatively straight forward as a result.  I guess we'll find out soon enough.

This post will cover the materials that I have gathered for the project to this point.  The basics of what I am trying to achieve is a temperature controlled environment insulated from its surroundings to provide a stable temperature for an extended time.  What is the first thing that you think of when you want to keep something for a long time at a stable temperature....why a fridge or a freezer of course.  So that is item 1 on the list.

Here are a couple of pictures of a second hand freezer that was 'free to this good home' as it were and would have otherwise found it's way to be scrap.  It does\did actually work as a freezer still, however, it was surplus to the needs of its previous owner who was as grateful for its removal as I was for its acquisition.

Of course cooling reptile eggs is not what I am after, so here is where the fun begins.  Bring on the heat!

This is a picture of the heat cord I bought today.  What I plan to do is drill a hole through the fridge at a suitable location to run this cord through and then secure it to the inside of the freezer using these handy dandy cable clips I purchased today also.

The idea is to evenly distribute the heat cord throughout the freezer in an attempt to provide a well balanced heat source to keep the little bubbies warm in their eggs.

The final item on the list is the means by which to regulate the temperature.  It is an ATC-300 digital thermostat.  It has a thermometer\ temperature probe that provides the input to regulate the power to the right hand plug on its power board based on the desired temperature.  It also has a digital temperature display unit that houses the smarts for the thermostat.  It provides in built alarm that sounds should the temperature fall a few degrees outside the desired range.  The left hand plug has a timer function, as in on and off by a schedule that is also controlled by the main unit.  I have no real use for the timer functionality as typically you would put a light on this in a reptile enclosure to simulate a day\night cycle.  Obviously not required to incubate eggs.

The total cost of all this was around $120.  Considering that a commercially bought incubator that would be lucky to have 10% of the capacity would be triple the price, we're off to a good start!  If our Dragons do successfully consummate their relationship this season it is possible that we will see up to 5 clutches of eggs.  last season, Lolly laid her first clutch and it was 25 eggs.  This was a large number for a first clutch, but, it is not unheard of for close to 40 eggs to be produced in a single clutch.  With that in mind, upon completion, this incubator should cater to what could be a large number of eggs (fingers crossed).

From here, the fun begins.  I will post up my progress as it happens, so stay tuned!