Incubator Plans

**Kernel** · 10-15-2011, 10:36 PM

Well, I just got back about a hour ago from looking at old fridge with freezer on top. The person I'm getting it from said it had a gap in the seal, but when I looked at it, it was just bout a 2-3 inch long 1/2 inch gap, so it will work. If things go as planned, I will be picking it up Monday afternoon. My plans are to gut it, install 3-4 feet of 11 inch heat tape controlled by a herpstat in the fridge section. Then later on I will install 1-2 feet of 11 inch heat tape also controlled by a herpstat in the smaller freezer section. I will post pics of the process. BTW I'm not sure if I posted this in the right place or not.

**Rich** · 10-16-2011, 07:50 AM

Nice, take loads of pics. I would be willing to make an article out of it for others if you're interested.

**kriminaal** · 10-16-2011, 09:12 AM

Will you be installing fans to move the air and prevent thermal layering?
If you do, you need 5-10 CFM per cubic ft.

**Kernel** · 10-16-2011, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Rich

Nice, take loads of pics. I would be willing to make an article out of it for others if you're interested.

That would be awesome. It will be a while cause I'm going to take my time doing it, so that I don't make any mistakes.

Originally Posted by kriminaal

Will you be installing fans to move the air and prevent thermal layering?
If you do, you need 5-10 CFM per cubic ft.

Yea, that's something I thought about after I posted last night.

**kriminaal** · 10-16-2011, 11:01 AM

That's 5-10 cubic feet per minute. The range that you want the air to move.
You don't want too much air movement in there but just enough to move the heat around.

**Kernel** · 10-16-2011, 11:41 AM

If I put heat tape from top to bottom, do you think I would need the fan?

**Merlin** · 10-16-2011, 11:42 AM

Heat rises. It will still collect in the top end.

**Kernel** · 10-16-2011, 11:59 AM

Thanks, Merlin!

**kriminaal** · 10-16-2011, 12:21 PM

Set it up and see if you need one. They are easy to wire in later if need be.
You want to be able to get the same temp at the bottom as you do at the top.