Up Cycled Incubator

I have had a couple requests to explain how I have converted an old fridge into a incubator.   I scored a couple of high end fridges one is a laboratory fridge the other a wine fridge.   You will need a few basic tools and also need to buy a couple things from amazon.

Things to buy: 

Inkbird iTC 1000 110 volt dual temp controller 


ceramic heating element 110 V 250 watt or a   portable ceramic heater


My fridges had fans in them but if you need one

Quiet muffin fan

Tools I used :

Hole saw
Cordless drill
wire stripper stak-on pliers  marrettes  work if you dont have Stak-ons .
olfa knife
Multi meter

 I stripped out the compressor ( butane base refrigerant ). and dismantled the interior  I was lucky the fridge controller is the same size as the Inkbird controller so I was able to  switch them and use the same wires and mounting hole.  I decided to use the compressor space as a heat box, so  I took the fan from the internal panel you see in the above photo and mounted it in a 5 inch hole I drilled into the compressor space and mounted the fan I saved so it would pull air into the fridge from the compressor space. Next  I drilled two holes  and put black ABS pipe into the compressor space from above  for return air.,everything was sealed with caulking.

  After I dismantled a ceramic heater  I mounted the coil to the back of the fan .   I tied the fan and heater into one circuit and used the Inkbird to cycle them on and off.  I set the differential to 1 deg F and set the limit at 100 deg F .  When the temp hits 100F the fan and heater shut off, when it drops below 99F  they turn on. You can find the manual for the inkbird HERE describing wiring and set up. 

Finally I enclosed the compressor space with sheet metal and spray foam and made the cover removable for cleaning.

I will tell you how it works in three weeks.