>>Hey Joe,

>>

>>Thanks for the info.! One concern I have (that no one seems to be able to advise me on) is the length of 11" Flexwatt to go with, if I was to use it. I realize there are some variables, but knowing the freezer is 5 cubic ft, extremely well insulated, controlled by a Helix, and possibly a small fan running 24/7, someone must be able to recommend "X" amount of feet to accomplish the job without over or underpowering the Flexwatt.

>>

>>Thanks again,

>>Glenn



Glenn,



I'd be more concerned with underpowering it than overpowering it. By all means, make sure however many feet of flex you use doesn't exceed your thermostat capabilities. But as long as you have a good thermostat and are drawing under it's wattage ratings, it's hands down better to have a little too much, than to not have enough.



I don't think anyone (except a physicist) is going to be able to give you the "perfect" amount to use. But this where I'd start...



For a 3' upright freezer, I'm imagining it has about a 28" width. I'd try one piece of 11" flexwatt down the center of the back. Start where the back meets the top and bring it all the way down. I'd let it form a soft curve about 1/3 of the freezer depth onto the floor of the incubator coming towards you. Try that with no fan and take it from there. You could also try the same thing, but instead of running one down the back, try running a piece on each side and nothing on the back.



I'm running one of my wooden (fully insulated and sealed) incubators of my own design the latter way. It's roughly 4'L x 32"D x 30"H. It holds any temp I want, within reason, from top to bottom and side to side - no fans involved. The only difference between it and what I mentioned above is that I have (2) pieces of 11" side by side, on right and left sides. Nothing on the back, nothing on the top, very little (but some) on the bottom. The prior way I mentioned (one down the back) is the same design I mentioned in my earlier reply that a friend uses successfully in an incubator roughly the same size as your freezer.



I mentioned it above and it's mentioned below as well - think horizontal (shorter/wider) and not vertical in the future. That's the main drawback of using anything upright. But a 3' height isn't that bad and I think you could get away without a fan if you experiment with the location of the tape a little bit. No matter how you set it up, chances are it's going to need tweaked at least slightly in one way or another to get it right. And once you get it right, build more of them.
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Joe Yakelis

HellFire Reptiles

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