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I just finished this for a friend, and now I don't want to get rid of it... I hate building things for other people that are better than what I have... I guess that's what happens when you're not paying for it though.

I just finished it today and so far it is keeping the temps right on. It is using two Herpstats built into custom face plates. One is in non proportional mode with the temp set a little above optimum running as a backup then the other one is what you use to set your desired temp. Your heating device gets plugged into the output of the thermostat with your desired temp and that thermostat gets plugged into the output of your backup. This way if the thermostat with your desired temp fails and temps ever get too hot the backup with shut down that thermostat along with the heating device. Then once the temp drops .5 degrees below the set backup temp it will turn the other thermostat back on along with the heat. If there is still a failure and the heat goes back up it will keep repeating this cycle, this helps insure that the incubator never gets too hot. Other that the top and bottom pieces being 3/4 inch melamine the rest of the outside is 1/2 inch melamine board. It was then insulated it with 1/2 inch foam and ran channels up both sides so the top fans can suck some of the hot air from the heat coil and blow it up top. The foam was then sandwiched with 1/8 inch shower board, or dry eraser board and trimmed with 3/4 x 1/16 angled aluminum. Just thought I would share...

George Knaack
GLK HERP

Wow, that looks great. How long did that take you to build and what was the final cost? Nice job.

ep
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Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

Thanks... It took around 20 hours and the cost of material was right around $575.

George

n/p

I used a 250 Watt heat coil from Lyon Electric. This is the fourth incubator that I have used them in and they work great.

George

Is that the square item on the floor, or is it under the floor? Do you have a link or website for Lyon electric, and the model #
Thanks Mike

Mike,

It is the square on top of the floor. I attached a better picture from another incubator I built. You can also see the insulators that hold it, these were also purchased from Lyon Electric. Here is the address to their part area:

http://www.lyonelectric.com/Parts/electrical%20parts.htm

The heating coil is part #270-020 and the insulators are part #300-028. That heating element is wrapped up and has leads coming off of it. You have to clip the leads to use it like I did. If you call them though you should be able to get just the heat coil without the leads. This is a little easer but I don't see it listed on the site.

Hope this helps,
George

n/p