Heating Element

[Mike a]

I want to build a warming cabinet suitable to take both buckets and frames and if needs be maturing queen cells although not all at the same time so recently I bought this dual heating and cooling function thermostat off a well known auction site for a very good price £15 + P&P from Hong Kong suitable for the UK market. Other than the humble light bulb option I'm looking for a heating element to place at the bottom of the cabinet.

I would prefer if possible some thing which is easy to clean and preferably 220V AC although if required I could always fit an adaptor to step down to lower voltages. Any suggestions please?

 

[Brosville]

You can get bulbs for keeping chicks warm, they're 220v, and essentially a light bulb made of pottery (no light, just heat)

http://www.virtualvillage.co.uk/ceramic-heat-bulb-60w-chick-snake-incubation-poultry-001490-059.html

 

[oliver90owner]

All mains (and a lot of low voltage items) have a power rating. Any would do within reason. Energy is energy, just regarded as 'higher' or 'lower' grade dependent on source and temperature.

A couple of older mobile phone-chargers may 'waste' enough energy to power a single-bucket melter! I know my router power supply is sooo very inefficient!

The adaptor you mentioned might even be a candidate.

Keeping clean is a design problem you could deal with.

Historically, light bulbs were used because they were inexpensive, easily available and available in various powers - cheap and cheerful.

Of course, a temperature controller would likely be better than a simple thermostat for some applications.

So, some things to think about?

Regards, RAB

 

[Hombre]

2kw fan heater? Shop around. The sort of price that you are looking for is shown here and lets you know what you might expect for your money.

Nice looking thermostat; it needs a nice large cabinet that you can bring up to temperature quickly, after which time it's idling - The dogs b . . .

 

[SixFooter]

So is a thermostat and a light bulb all you need to make an incubator fo Q cells?

 

[marcros]

So is a thermostat and a light bulb all you need to make an incubator fo Q cells?

You may find it easier to buy a cheap chicken incubator for queen rearing.

 

[plumber]

anyone tryed one of these sandwiched between polystrene and an aluminium plate to evenly disapate the heat. one listed is only 40watts@ 230volts the aquatic one's are double the wattage for the same size. very reliable used on several tanks I had. other sizes avialable largest one I used was 1800x600mm.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Reptile-Vivar..._Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item3caca4c855

 

[Mike a]

You may find it easier to buy a cheap chicken incubator for queen rearing.

I bought this incase I need to bank a few virgin queens for a day or two while I make up some queenless nucs

Although I would prefer not to but it was cheap enough to buy at the time, but I was thinking about being able to warm honey in buckets or whole supers at a time if we have a good season. I have close to 200 acres of OSR with in a mile of my apiary so I'm dreaming a little I know...

Thanks Brosville, your suggestion is very tempting...

 

[johna]

Try soil heating cable as a easily controlled heat source.Often sold complete with thermostat and work off 240V.

 

[VEG]

Or try one of these they were sold as honey warming cabinet heaters I use one they are great http://www.ascott.biz/acatalog/Poultry_Incubator_DIY_Kits.html

 

[MrB]

Or try one of these they were sold as honey warming cabinet heaters I use one they are great http://www.ascott.biz/acatalog/Poultry_Incubator_DIY_Kits.html

VEG,
What is the temp range of these, and which one do you use?

 

[Moonglow]

have alook at these they do a range of sizes dependant on what room you have
http://www.pentagonelectric.co.uk/products.asp?cat=heaters

They are really used for keeping electrical cabinets free from Condensation ,but are pretty cheap and simple to use

 

[rowbow]

Hi if you go to a pet shop, have look at heating pads for corn snakes, or light bulb heating elements.
Regards
John

 

[Hombre]

Six footer, I think you have it about right. Preferably an electronic thermostat that has fairly tight control and don't forget that a little humidity (humility) is required.

For a honey heating cabinet, keep your eyes open for a 2kW fan heater and control it from an electronic thermostat. Then you won't need to bother about the amount of honey you have to warm, just how big a cabinet you can build and if necessary pop in a fan and another fan heater.

Just make sure that you only pay between £9 and £18 for your fan heater. Believe me, it's what the pro's use.

 

[madasafish]

I made a very successful quail and turkey egg hatcher using a 25watt light bulb controlled by the thermostat and gubbins from a floor heating controller (as in heated house floors). Accuracy to within 1.5C. Cost about £12 from fleebay.