Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going over some different designs and trying to see what works best for converting a Wine Cooler/Mini Frige into an incubator. My main goal is keeping the humidity and temp fluxuations to a minimal. Consistancy. I was wondering if buying some 1/2" or 3/4" styrofoam type board insulation and lineing the inside of the cooler/frige would help? Or would this cause it to hold in too much heat and overheat? If it would help then I can line the top, bottom, sides, & back but I got the wine cooler instead of a frige because it has the window door. Its double pained but how would that effect it if its all sides but the window?

First, the absolute best thing you can do for consistent temps in a wine cooler incubator, short of using a good thermostat, is to add thermal mass. Bottles of water are easiest and what a lot of people use. I actually have several free samples of soapstone from various granite/stone companies that I plan to use.

Another issue that is often overlooked is room temperature. Incubators work best when the room temperature where the are used is at least 10* F cooler than desired incubation temperatures.

My best guess is that wine coolers do not have a radiant barrier for insulation so I would be inclined to add that over polyester or polystyrene insulation. Especially since the latter two are combustible.

Reflectix is probably the most readily available radiant barrier but really any of the products that looks like bubble wrap covered in aluminum foil will work.

It has the about the same R value as 3/4" extruded polystyrene but is fire rated and takes up less space. And in part because you'll be using radiant heat in your incubator it will actually be more effective in preventing heat loss than 3/4" extruded polystyrene.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

0.0.4 Rhynchophis boulengeri

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

0.0.1 Rhamphiophis rubropunctatus

0.0.2 Morelia viridis (Aru & Merauke locale types)

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

You line the inside of the incubator with that or stuff that in the back outside?

Technically you could do either, but I think the inside would be more effective.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

0.0.4 Rhynchophis boulengeri

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

0.0.1 Rhamphiophis rubropunctatus

0.0.2 Morelia viridis (Aru & Merauke locale types)

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

would it not make sense to add the radiant barrier outside to increase thermal mass on the inside of the barrier?

A radiant barrier wouldn't increase thermal mass. I am using a converted wine fridge at the moment and see no use for additional insulation. As has been mentioned, use water bottles to increase thermal mass. Fill as much empty space as you can with them. My temps fluctuate, at most, about .2 degrees because I have a hard time keeping a stable temp in the room it is located in.

Bart

I think you mean having the structure of cooler itself acting as thermal mass?

Sounds like a good idea on paper but it really won't work all that well for a few reasons.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

0.0.4 Rhynchophis boulengeri

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

0.0.1 Rhamphiophis rubropunctatus

0.0.2 Morelia viridis (Aru & Merauke locale types)

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

You mention that Reflectix would be good because I would be useing a radiant heat sourse. Has anyone tried or know if its a good or bad idea to try useing a Radiant Heat Panel on the bottom or sides for the heat sourse. I know they are able to be used on the roof and sides but I dont know if thats a good idea or if it will work if you have it on the bottom.

When I first converted my wine fridge to an incubator, I used a 30w panel as a heat source, but only because I had several sitting around collecting dust. It did worked, but no better than heat cable or flexwatt. In the end, flexwatt was the route I chose.

Bart

No clue, sorry. If you did use one you'd want it radiating on your thermal mass source but best efficiency.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

0.0.4 Rhynchophis boulengeri

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

0.0.1 Rhamphiophis rubropunctatus

0.0.2 Morelia viridis (Aru & Merauke locale types)

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Really the wine cooler should be fine as is. As far as temps, some of the digital sensors and circuitry sample like every three seconds or something, so that should be good enough. Consistent temps in the wine cooler will depend on consistent temp outside the wine cooler. Chris was right about adding thermal mass, like a bottle of water. A big thing is don’t open the door all the time fussing over them. Set it up way in advance and work the bugs out before you add eggs. They would probably hatch in a brown paper bag under your bed. Don’t over-think it.

No post.

vbndgh