Evaporative Humidifier

Intro: Evaporative Humidifier

Well Its so dry here I built a DIY humidifier the one with the bottle and the air stone you see all over the internet, but it sucked so bad It was intended for a much smaller environment.
So I built a real Humidifier intended for a much larger space.
Here is what you will need to build your own Evaporative self regulating Humidifier on the cheap.

STEP 1: What You Will Need

First a pet water dish with automatic refill.
A few super thick sponges
A small fan with switch (very quiet one from radio shack)
A tupperware plastic square bowl that is about the same size as the open part of the water dish
4 screws or bolts/nuts

STEP 2: Cutting Holes

First cut four holes in the sides of the Tupperware don't cut all the way through the dish you want holes not spaces(pic 2) then measure the fan hole on the bowl it will be mounted upside down so with a sharpie marker you should be able to figure out where to cut plus if you got a dish that is clear plastic its easier
Next screw or bolt the fan to the bottom of the bowl (see pic 1).

STEP 3: Install the Fan

Make sure the air blows down when the bowl is seated upside down.
Now cut the sponge so that one piece fits in each of the four sides of the bowl (see pic 2) and covers only half of the openings on the plastic bowl so that the air can escape(see pic 3), and place it all in the auto pet water dish (see pic 1).

STEP 4: Fin

IF it looks like this then all you need is some water and then turn on the power.

I got this Idea from the HowStuffWorks.com its a perfect example of a evaporative humidifier.
If the link works you can view it here--> http://home.howstuffworks.com/humidifier3.htm

Enjoy the wet air

Comments

[matroska]

 Hell YES! This instructable is so much what I need! Thx for sharing' !

[falconress]

I know this is 2 years late, but I found this because I Googled DIY humidifiers now (in January 2010), so others might still be interested years later too. My suggestion for preventing mold for the sponges is to periodically rinse them out, squeeze out excess water, and zap them for 45 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave. This will pretty effectively sterilize them, and as long as you have a microwave in your home, it so quick, cheap and easy to do that you can do it often enough (even weekly) to make sure mold or bacteria will never be a problem.

Also, the dollar stores in my town sell not only one sponge for a buck, but packs of 6 or even 8 sponges for a buck. You may need two or three to get the size right, but still, it's a very economical and easy replacement to keep mold from encroaching.

BTW, I do the microwave thing every week with all spongeware around the kitchen sink (dish sponges, brushes, and wipe-up towels), and with my cutting boards. If you start doing this too, just make sure your dish sponges aren't mixed with metals (like the ones for heavy-duty scouring). Those shouldn't go in the microwave, obviously.

[xlioilx]

Yes as long as it was worm where the animal is, but I would suggest putting a guard over the fan a standard pc fan guard or a piece of metal screen maybe so you don't injure your pets.
If you only want to humidify a small aquarium there is a different DIY humidifier on the internet that might work better for you try this link if it works http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&id=53

Mine is still working great and no mold or strange smells.
Actually if you put something in it that smells good like a touch of fabric softener it will make your whole house smell good while humidifying.

[lemonie]

Good build. But the picture with horrid-green writing could be improved (even MS Paint can do straight lines). L (And you spelled evaporative as evaprative twice)

[xlioilx]

Oh thank you It was so late when I published it 4 or 5 am thnx

[Erik Lindemann]

I like it quite a bit. When I saw this instructable I had expected it to be like the one I made for my snake's cage, but mine uses fog blown into the cage to humidify it. The only thing I have to worry about yours is that fact that it uses standing water and water in sponges. The sponges hold in water in such a way that often brings in mold, which could make your room smell bad. That's the only problem I have with it, but since you're using it I imagine somehow the mold's not growing.

[xlioilx]

Yes that is a concern, but the sponges are not hard to replace (at $0.97) and you can always add a drop or two of bleach. Its so dry right now that mold does not grow. I'm having to fill the water back up about once a day.