Sciencemadness Discussion Board

diy incubator

100PercentChemistry - 5-6-2016 at 13:32

I was thinking about making an incubator for some biology experiments. One method I saw had arduino. Even though I have an arduino I don't have any of the other pieces. Would it be better to just buy one?

Orenousername - 5-6-2016 at 17:52

Can you provide more details? I don't know much about incubators for biological experiments but I would imagine you could pull one off fairly easily with a PID/temperature probe and a couple light bulbs or something.

arkoma - 6-6-2016 at 13:56

If it's for chickens U2U me.

Scalebar - 9-6-2016 at 10:54

I've used fish tank heaters, an air pump for circulation and improvised water jacket from two plant tubs to incubate - worked well for growing tempeh

NEMO-Chemistry - 22-6-2016 at 07:13

Use a old fridge thats had all the gubbins taken out, use a couple 100W half silvered light bulbs connected to an arduino (via relay or triac) for the heat.

ParadoxChem126 - 22-6-2016 at 08:05

You can also purchase infrared heating bulbs for reptiles at many pet stores.

You will probably be able to build an incubator much cheaper than you could buy one. Construct an insulated box, and use an inexpensive PID controller to control whatever heat source you use. Alternately, use an arduino with a triac to control the heat source. You can have a temp probe within the chamber to provide feedback to your code. It's not a terribly complicated build, so I think it would be a good one to try out.

[Edited on 6-22-2016 by ParadoxChem126]

charley1957 - 5-6-2017 at 09:18

I've posted this elsewhere, but I can repeat it here. I used an old dorm refrigerator and just a 40W bulb and thermostat from an electric water heater. It works well for me right at the lower end of its range, but I'm sure it could be hacked a little bit to make it work a little lower if need be. I also included a computer fan in the fridge compartment to provide for more even warmth. It stays with a half degree of where I set it.

aga - 4-4-2018 at 04:01

A couple of days ago i finally knocked up a DIY Incubator using some plywood, sheets of polystyrene from the bins, a light bulb and a $10 PID Controller set off ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-100-240V-Digital-PID-Temperatu...

Works reasonably well. Gets up to 40 C reliably.

closed.jpg - 39kB open.jpg - 37kB inside.jpg - 33kB

charley1957 - 16-8-2018 at 09:10

Aga

That's a nice setup there. I like it. Professional looking too!

CharlieA - 16-8-2018 at 15:35

Very nice job, aga! Your work is very professionally done! Does your unit have a fan for air circulation? I would think an old PC cooling fan would work OK, since the operating temperature of the incubator will be low.

Metacelsus - 17-8-2018 at 13:26

Looks great! My only concern is that the wood might be difficult to clean. What do you plan to use the incubator for?