New Cage!!!

east_stingray · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 05:43 AM

Hi all... I am in the process of building a LARGE cage. Well, large for this herper anyway. I don't really have anything big enough to fit in it yet, but I had some time that I won't have this summer. It is 5' X 2' X 2'... not made of mahogany or anything fancy like that... just pine plywood. I have all of the wood stained just how I want it, all of the internal surfaces coated with polycrilic (waiting to put the last coat on tomorrow). The only thing I don't have yet is the dado cuts made on the 1X2s that I'm using to frame the twin plexi doors in the front. I also haven't gotten the plexi yet... Don't want to get it until I can fit it to the finished frames. I am making an insert that will go right in the middle and divide into two cages with seperate doors. Plan on heating with flexwatt because I have some laying around and it works good on a thermostat. Oh, probably some attached branches or a shelf or something... haven't figured that out yet. Either 4 or 6 3" vents will be installed in the back. There will also be a built in fluorescent light for display purposes.
One question I have is this: I've seen some of you guys using computer fans for ventilation... how do you hook up a computer fan without a power supply? I'll post pics as soon as it's practical.

-East

Diablo · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 06:07 AM

Ive never used a computer fan before, but I would asume that it runs off of 110 VAC. You could take the leads off the fan and connect them to power wire. Put a plug on the end and plug it in. You can also tie in toggle switch so you can turn it off easier. If it is not 110, You will have to get a transformer/ inverter for the appropiate voltage, and weather it is AC or DC. Or the easiest solution, would be just use a computer power supply. Any wiring questions feel free to PM me

Diablo · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 06:15 AM

Correction: The fan is going to run off of DC. You will need to use a power supply, or drop down transformer/ power converter.

east_stingray · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 01:27 PM

Hmmmm... I was looking for some way to do it without a huge metal power supply sitting on to p of my cage...
-East

east_stingray · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 01:32 PM

bump

Diablo · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 08:57 PM

You really don't have to mount the PS on the cage. Just mount it somewhere close the the outlet, or power strip. Then just extend the two small leads to the fan.

dlamphere · #7 (**permalink**) 03-11-2004, 02:48 AM

What I did was to take an old converter that I had as a cell phone charger. Just strip the ends and connect them to the fan. Make sure you have it pulling in the right direction before you tape it up.

MythsBishop · #8 (**permalink**) 03-11-2004, 03:18 AM

is a fan requir or suggested? or are vents enough? i am building a large enclosure as well

east_stingray · #9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2004, 05:12 AM

myths... I think that just all depends on the kind of temps you get in the cage. Boas don't really require moving air.
-East

Diablo · #10 (**permalink**) 03-11-2004, 06:09 AM

Yes you can use something like a cell phone power converter. Just make sure (when rigging things like that) That the ratings match up. Make sure the fan doesn't draw more amps than the converter is rated at. And on the same hand make sure the converter doesn't throw out more volts than the fan is rated at.

Advertisement