Thermoelectric wine cooler drying and curing - DIY

Blue brother

Well-Known Member
My unit is compressor, and I'm going sans dehumidifier and just using an Inkbird to automatically shutoff the cooler. I missed aligned the first attempt at drilling (DUH!) so what a mess I made, got it on the second attempt. It will hold (testing with a damp sponge inside) a steady 67F -57%H at the moment.. not to bad considering the alternative. Nice thread!
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You could put the fridge power on a INKBIRD humidity controller, the temperature wouldn't be stable but the humidity would be much more stable, I can't see the fridge warming up too much between cycles, that's what I would do in your situation.

Edit: sorry I can see you're saying it's holding stable, I'm not trying to reinvent ur wheel if it's working, just suggesting another way around keeping the humidity stable
 

Week4@inCharge

Well-Known Member
You could put the fridge power on a INKBIRD humidity controller, the temperature wouldn't be stable but the humidity would be much more stable, I can't see the fridge warming up too much between cycles, that's what I would do in your situation.

Edit: sorry I can see you're saying it's holding stable, I'm not trying to reinvent ur wheel if it's working, just suggesting another way around keeping the humidity stable
"My unit is compressor, and I'm going sans dehumidifier and just using an Inkbird to automatically shutoff the cooler" :D

The hole drilled from behind was to insert the sensor vs having it hanging in from the front door. (like pictured) looks cleaner and you don't have that slight gap from where the wire contacts the seal of the door. (just measure before drilling!)

My only problem is I won't have any flower till November. :|

PXL_20240830_193949691.PORTRAIT~2.jpg
 
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Blue brother

Well-Known Member
"My unit is compressor, and I'm going sans dehumidifier and just using an Inkbird to automatically shutoff the cooler" :D

The hole drilled from behind was to insert the sensor vs having it hanging in from the front door. (like pictured) looks cleaner and you don't have that slight gap from where the wire contacts the seal of the door. (just measure before drilling!)

My only problem is I won't have any flower till November. :|

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My bad I assumed you meant a INKBIRD temperature controller. I'm very interested in your results, if the compressor can be used as the source of dehumidification and cooling then simply tinkering with fridge volume vs plant mass might get this pretty close to perfect. BRAVO! And Thankyou!
 

Week4@inCharge

Well-Known Member
My bad I assumed you meant a INKBIRD temperature controller. I'm very interested in your results, if the compressor can be used as the source of dehumidification and cooling then simply tinkering with fridge volume vs plant mass might get this pretty close to perfect. BRAVO! And Thankyou!
I didn't do it on purpose, I meant to follow this threads recommended thermal electric fridge approach. Got a little anxious and just bought the first listing I saw on Offer Up. It wasn't till I got it home was when I realized I got the wrong one..lol. I was gonna resell it back to the market when I saw the video of the guy using a regular refrigerator to dry his crop. He was using a Infinity controller. Thought, I can do the same with an Inkbird. Before testing it out on the fridge I hooked up the Inkbird to the wine cooler. Seems to be working. Stuffed my few bags of buds in there and it's still holding its temperature.
 
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Blue brother

Well-Known Member
I didn't do it on purpose, I meant to follow this threads recommended thermal electric fridge approach. Got a little anxious and just bought the first listing I saw on Offer Up. It wasn't till I got it home was when I realized I got the wrong one..lol. I was gonna resell it back to the market when I saw the video of the guy using a regular refrigerator to dry his crop. He was using a Infinity controller. Thought, I can do the same with an Inkbird. Before testing it out on the fridge I hooked up the Inkbird to the wine cooler. Seems to be working. Stuffed my few bags of buds in there and it's still holding its temperature.
Are you drying in paper bags, I would assume if the humidity controller is in charge of the compressor then you they probably won't be needed. Or if you're set on using the paper bags and happy to burp them then you could maybe do away with the controller altogether which would keep temp more stable and put you in charge of controlling the humidity in the bags by burping them periodically.

The big issue I can see with this is that the dew point will be allover the place as both temp and humidity swing, with the thermoelectric cooler the temperature is kept stable and the humidity has small swings, with your set up the humidity will still have small swings but the temperature will have bigger swings. I suppose only time will tell
 

Week4@inCharge

Well-Known Member
Are you drying in paper bags, I would assume if the humidity controller is in charge of the compressor then you they probably won't be needed. Or if you're set on using the paper bags and happy to burp them then you could maybe do away with the controller altogether which would keep temp more stable and put you in charge of controlling the humidity in the bags by burping them periodically.

The big issue I can see with this is that the dew point will be allover the place as both temp and humidity swing, with the thermoelectric cooler the temperature is kept stable and the humidity has small swings, with your set up the humidity will still have small swings but the temperature will have bigger swings. I suppose only time will tell
As of now, the temps are in check, (they only swing by 1 degree) . It's the humidity that swings from 63% to 55%.that's with a wet sponge in there, won't really know till I fill it with fresh harvest though.
 

Bodoo

Member
Been following this thread for a while and decided to have a go at it as well! Had to order a different cooler as there's almost non on the market where I am, or barely any TEC fridges in general.

This is the closest I found, but there's no pics of the inside so I REALLY hope there's a drain hole in there lol. Brand is "Cavin Northern Collection 15"; it's NOT gas insulated, and climate class N (designed to work in rooms with ambient temp. of 60-90F)

I'm just hesitant about the whole drilling and taking apart the dehum, but let's see. I also feel like these dehums won't last a long time, probably needing replacing once in a while (unless you have some kind of knowledge about soldering/electric work).

EDIT: It might be the same cooler as the Koolatron, maybe rebranded for EU? Cheapest price was 400$, and that's with a 20% discount. Found a pic of the back and it looks identical!1.jpg
973_a30e02dc-89cf-4cc6-8c2f-8d9ea9ec7b64.jpg973_bc2c4973-d5e3-4ea9-8f1b-f73b651de152.jpg
 
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Week4@inCharge

Well-Known Member
Been following this thread for a while and decided to have a go at it as well! Had to order a different cooler as there's almost non on the market where I am, or barely any TEC fridges in general.

This is the closest I found, but there's no pics of the inside so I REALLY hope there's a drain hole in there lol. Brand is "Cavin Northern Collection 15"; it's NOT gas insulated, and climate class N (designed to work in rooms with ambient temp. of 60-90F)

I'm just hesitant about the whole drilling and taking apart the dehum, but let's see. I also feel like these dehums won't last a long time, probably needing replacing once in a while (unless you have some kind of knowledge about soldering/electric work).

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All I can say is measure twice then again before drilling . That's a beautiful wine cooler.
 

Blue brother

Well-Known Member
Been following this thread for a while and decided to have a go at it as well! Had to order a different cooler as there's almost non on the market where I am, or barely any TEC fridges in general.

This is the closest I found, but there's no pics of the inside so I REALLY hope there's a drain hole in there lol. Brand is "Cavin Northern Collection 15"; it's NOT gas insulated, and climate class N (designed to work in rooms with ambient temp. of 60-90F)

I'm just hesitant about the whole drilling and taking apart the dehum, but let's see. I also feel like these dehums won't last a long time, probably needing replacing once in a while (unless you have some kind of knowledge about soldering/electric work).

EDIT: It might be the same cooler as the Koolatron, maybe rebranded for EU? Cheapest price was 400$, and that's with a 20% discount. Found a pic of the back and it looks identical!View attachment 5423438
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That black tray at the bottom indicates there will be a drain above it
 

Hook Daddy

Well-Known Member
Been following this thread for a while and decided to have a go at it as well! Had to order a different cooler as there's almost non on the market where I am, or barely any TEC fridges in general.

This is the closest I found, but there's no pics of the inside so I REALLY hope there's a drain hole in there lol. Brand is "Cavin Northern Collection 15"; it's NOT gas insulated, and climate class N (designed to work in rooms with ambient temp. of 60-90F)

I'm just hesitant about the whole drilling and taking apart the dehum, but let's see. I also feel like these dehums won't last a long time, probably needing replacing once in a while (unless you have some kind of knowledge about soldering/electric work).

EDIT: It might be the same cooler as the Koolatron, maybe rebranded for EU? Cheapest price was 400$, and that's with a 20% discount. Found a pic of the back and it looks identical!View attachment 5423438
View attachment 5423442View attachment 5423443
Welcome to the club, that cooler looks like it will work the same as a koolatron. I wouldn’t worry too much about the hole or dehumidifier, it’s much easier than it seems. I’ve had my little dehumidifier’s running about two years now without an issue, so they last a decent amount of time.
 

Blue brother

Well-Known Member
As of now, the temps are in check, (they only swing by 1 degree) . It's the humidity that swings from 63% to 55%.that's with a wet sponge in there, won't really know till I fill it with fresh harvest though.
So does the fridge turn on when the humidity gets to the high point and turn off when it gets to the low point? The wet sponge (although not exactly like plant material) will at least suffice as proof of concept, you may just need to tinker with the controller settings once you have bud in it.
 

SouthFloridaGenetics

Well-Known Member
So does the fridge turn on when the humidity gets to the high point and turn off when it gets to the low point? The wet sponge (although not exactly like plant material) will at least suffice as proof of concept, you may just need to tinker with the controller settings once you have bud in it.
The refrigerator maintains the temperature and the humidity controller maintains the dew point. The systems work in tandem to maintain the desired temperature and humidity simultaneously. Nothing really turns on or off, it is always on.
 

Week4@inCharge

Well-Known Member
So does the fridge turn on when the humidity gets to the high point and turn off when it gets to the low point? The wet sponge (although not exactly like plant material) will at least suffice as proof of concept, you may just need to tinker with the controller settings once you have bud in it.
I have the set point to 58% with a 6 point differential, meaning it won't trigger till 58+6= 64%. It will turn on the fridge till it reaches 58% and then shut off. I'm playing with the set point and differential right now. I'm imagining the entire fridge filled with fresh plant material will increase the humidity a lot faster than the little sponge I have in there. So the temps will drop even lower. Good thing. I'll keep the sponge in there for when they get to near prime condition of dryness just to keep the cycle going on holding a somewhat steady humidity level. That's the plan..
 

Hook Daddy

Well-Known Member
The refrigerator maintains the temperature and the humidity controller maintains the dew point. The systems work in tandem to maintain the desired temperature and humidity simultaneously. Nothing really turns on or off, it is always on.
He’s not using a thermoelectric fridge, it does get confusing. He’s trying to turn a compressor fridge on and off to slow the drying. It’s not a bad idea, just really doesn’t fully relate to this discussion.
 

Week4@inCharge

Well-Known Member
He’s not using a thermoelectric fridge, it does get confusing. He’s trying to turn a compressor fridge on and off to slow the drying. It’s not a bad idea, just really doesn’t fully relate to this discussion.
Lol . Sorry.. I need to clarify that before answering. I'm on compressor fridge guys. Ask @Hook Daddy on thermoelectric fridges. Sorry about that, almost hijacked this thread. I'll probably have to start another thread on compressor type fridges. See how this one works before I do that one. Alright, I'm out of here guys. Thanks for the help and inspiration @Hook Daddy
 

by2

Well-Known Member
I just finished my fridge and wanted to share how I went about it. I Just started the fridge for the first time so can't say that it works so far but its the same principle as Hook Daddy's Koolatron.

Thermoelectric wine fridge - Klarstein, Barolo 28 - it was on discount 229€
Peltier dehumidifier - Trotec - from Amazone It was like 29€
Controller - Elitech STC 1000 Pro TH, Its not wifi but I had it at home so it will due.

So I built a little stance for the fridge so I can have a bigger drain and move it around in my tight space.
First action was to try and find an entry point for the dehumidifier and sensor.

IMG_1428.jpeg

I was set on drilling a hole in the back, so started to remove the inner back plate.
As you can see this model has no internal fan. Only a big cold heatsink in the back.
On the right hand side you the thermometer for the fridge.
IMG_1429.jpeg

After removing the screws in the corners I stoped for a sec, and thought about the possible problems with thermal paste and other things I might need to deal with.
So changed my mind and just shoved the cables true the drainage hole.
Pored some water to see if it still goes true and 50ml went straight true, so no issues.
IMG_1437.jpeg

I had to cut the cable for my sensor thou, but that was an easy fix with some Wagu connectors.
I keep all connections outside the fridge so it won't come in contact with any moisture.
IMG_1439.jpeg

I also mounted the sensor in the fridge using some foam thing from some packaging and double sided tape.
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Thank you Hook Daddy for sharing your Ideas and knowledge, and every one else that contributes to the Cannabis community.
 

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