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New DIY Incubator from old Pepsi fridge/cooler

Posted By:

2Nyce_Tech

I picked up a 3.5'x2.5' mini Pepsi fridge thats about 18-20" deep - worked on it this past weekend- and now its ready.

Started by removing the motor and guts (freon removed via HVAC company) then cleaned it out;

Once it spent a day of bleaching and the de-nastification process, i put it back together, keeping the factory fan and light at the top, and re-siliconed it.

I then purchased 2 digital thermometers, drilled 2 holes slightly bigger then the probe, and mounted both ends (one upper and one lower)

*I sealed the remaining gap around the probe wire with rubber O-rings.*

Last but not least - i ordered flex tape and a thermostat from Reptile Basics.
( http://www.reptilebasics.com/11-flexwatt-heat-tape.html )
( http://www.reptilebasics.com/helix-controls-dbs1000_proportional-thermostat-grounded.html )
Once Mounted with foil tape, all the wiring was ran through a small hole made behind the metal plate in the back so that it was not visible.

Then we have my finished project. Holds heat and humidity well, makes it easy to see whats inside w/o opening it, hold a lot more eggs then a standard incubator, and looks a little cooler :)

I'm still trying to get an extra shelf so that i have 3 layers but i haven't found one yet.

Let me know what you think or any suggestions you have.


Points:	100
Topics:	Incubation
Tags:	DIY, Incubator, Refrigerator
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Accepted Answer

9/26/2010 11:09:29 PM

aaron

1. Awesome
2. Awesome
3. I'm going to move this to Answers when I take it down, because this is a great How To.

Member Comment

9/27/2010 12:34:45 AM

Mel4short

Ooooo!! Make me one!!! This weekend, ok? Thanks!!!

Assisted Answer

9/27/2010 12:51:11 AM

Acheron_08

This is great I must start looking on Craig's list :) matter of fact they took a cooler like that outta of our breakroom .. mmm me wonders if I can have it lol and its slightly taller then this one :)

Assisted Answer

9/27/2010 8:02:27 AM

lostmale28

That is awesome ! I don't know what for yet cause i have boa's but i need one of those ! lol

Assisted Answer

9/27/2010 11:18:35 AM

dalvers63

Great job and nice detailed post. I've made something like this before but never had the nice cooler to do it with. Thanks for helping everyone out by posting this!

Author Comment

9/27/2010 12:06:32 PM

2Nyce_Tech

Ty for all the comments. I was initially going to get another Reptibator - but then started talking to a few people about making one. Once i remembered we had 5 of these things sitting in my Dad's storage unit - i figured ide take one and make a more high quality incubator :) With just that little dish at the bottom filled halfway with water i can get the humidity to set around 80-90%. I can push temps anywhere from 75* - 160* Fahrenheit. My total costs was only $204. Which to be was a much better investment then putting $200 into a foam box.

Assisted Answer

9/27/2010 12:56:57 PM

Coiled Constrictors1

Hell Ya man! This is an Awesome right up and an Awesome looking/funcutioning incubator! 10*'s!!!

Assisted Answer

9/27/2010 9:00:52 PM

ChrisMontgomery

nice egg oven!! thanks for the pics, you did a great job :)

Assisted Answer

9/27/2010 9:24:14 PM

Mel4short

Won't it be great when he makes me one, Chris!! Then we can both use it!!! LOL!!!

Just kidding, Chris(the other Chris!) :P

Assisted Answer

9/28/2010 8:21:18 AM

zamora

I'm looking at picking up an old cooler just like that one so I truly appreciate the how to! You did an awesome job.

Assisted Answer

9/28/2010 3:14:41 PM

EbonayiasGirl

That's awesome, you're creative. No way would I have been able to figure that out with a pepsi cooler lol. I agree with lostmale28...don't know what I would need one for but I still want one...Juuuusssstt in case ha ha. That was an awesome project, thanks for sharing!

Assisted Answer

9/28/2010 6:08:42 PM

Rept1lefreak

Chris did you forget you dont need incubators for ATBs? lol

Author Comment

9/28/2010 7:02:15 PM

2Nyce_Tech

Lol - i still enjoy that about the ATB's :) but im looking forward to some baby dragons

Member Comment

9/30/2010 7:39:48 PM

aaron

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

Recommended Action: Points refunded

This question will be closed and points will be refunded to the original poster. Anyone may post to this for 7 days, at which point it will be closed.

Original poster, if you have any further information in the resolution of your problem (including your own resolution), please post it here so that others may learn from it.

Assisted Answer

9/30/2010 11:00:35 PM

So chondro

Very creative! Good luck on your clutches.

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