Walk in cooler Update
Jun 15, 2020 9:16:06 GMT -5
simplynaturalfarm, grammagrace, and 3 more like this
Post by lew92 on Jun 15, 2020 9:16:06 GMT -5
I'm mostly in the planning stages for the walk-in cooler and wanted to document what I have come up with. So far, I have purchased an A/C unit, 10,000 BTU by GE. The biggest expense, by far, will be the insulation. We have a stack of 2x4's for interior application and I will likely need to buy a couple sheets of OSB (?) for the exterior layer of the ceiling and to go on top of the insulation for the floor. We have a door that will also be insulated on the exterior, so no need to purchase that.
I think I will record my purchases in this first post to show what my supplies are and the costs of them, in case it helps someone else make the decision farther down the road.
GE window A/C unit, 10,000 BTU $298.00
3 year protection plan for A/C 36.00 Subtotal $334.00
Two Inkbird ITC 1000, tax included 33.74 Subtotal 367.74
I am also going to document the things I learn that influence my decision making in the process.
Here is the post that simplynaturalfarm referenced in the other thread from WineMakingTalk.com, post by Bembel:
Makeshift Coolbot
It uses two STC-1000 units in series, as stated in a previous post, but instead of connecting the a/c unit, the STCs trigger a small 5v light bulb.
I used two STC-1000 units, a 5v light bulb and a 5v power supply (old cell phone charger).
First, I connected the +wire from the power supply to the light bulb. Then ran the -wire to the first STC COOL relay; from there it goes to the second STC's COOL relay in series, and finally to the other pole in the light bulb. Cover the light bulb with foil, attach the A/C unit's temp probe to this fixture and cover with foil again.
Place the temp probe of either STC inside the A/C's evaporator fins, set the STC to 32. This will prevent the evap from freezing out. Use the other unit's probe as your room temp sensor, set it to whatever your target temp is.
Set your A/C to the coldest setting.
The idea is, just like with the coolbot, to trick the A/C into thinking the room is warmer than it really is, by heating the A/C's probe with the light bulb or whatever heater you want to use, while the STCs monitor both room and evaporator temperature and relay or cut power only to the light bulb. This way there's no need to mess with the A/C unit in any way, and you can use whatever A/C you want.
I think I will record my purchases in this first post to show what my supplies are and the costs of them, in case it helps someone else make the decision farther down the road.
GE window A/C unit, 10,000 BTU $298.00
3 year protection plan for A/C 36.00 Subtotal $334.00
Two Inkbird ITC 1000, tax included 33.74 Subtotal 367.74
I am also going to document the things I learn that influence my decision making in the process.
Here is the post that simplynaturalfarm referenced in the other thread from WineMakingTalk.com, post by Bembel:
Makeshift Coolbot
It uses two STC-1000 units in series, as stated in a previous post, but instead of connecting the a/c unit, the STCs trigger a small 5v light bulb.
I used two STC-1000 units, a 5v light bulb and a 5v power supply (old cell phone charger).
First, I connected the +wire from the power supply to the light bulb. Then ran the -wire to the first STC COOL relay; from there it goes to the second STC's COOL relay in series, and finally to the other pole in the light bulb. Cover the light bulb with foil, attach the A/C unit's temp probe to this fixture and cover with foil again.
Place the temp probe of either STC inside the A/C's evaporator fins, set the STC to 32. This will prevent the evap from freezing out. Use the other unit's probe as your room temp sensor, set it to whatever your target temp is.
Set your A/C to the coldest setting.
The idea is, just like with the coolbot, to trick the A/C into thinking the room is warmer than it really is, by heating the A/C's probe with the light bulb or whatever heater you want to use, while the STCs monitor both room and evaporator temperature and relay or cut power only to the light bulb. This way there's no need to mess with the A/C unit in any way, and you can use whatever A/C you want.