DIY ..Project, refrigeration engineer...fermentation cabinet
Fermentation Cabinet Project
I enjoy noodling , fettling and building projects for the challenge, fun and the result...not necessarily for budget and cost cutting reasons I might add!
I have embarked on a workshop project to build a fermentation cabinet for my basic kit keg fermenter and I intend to use a dehumidifier as the source of "cool". Just because I have one and it will be a challenge and of course I need a cooling source.!
I already have built a temp controller from the ubiquitous STC1000.
Before I post up some photos and some details of my project...I wanted to ask if there are any members of this forum who know a bit about refrigeration engineering and fundamentals who may be able to contribute their knowledge?
I need to overcome a couple of things inherent to a dehumidifier for this to work but I think its entirely feasible.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Craig Howard on
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Base for the project is a Delonghi Dehumidifier and the Condensor /Evaporator units.
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Project - Temperature Controlled Fermenting Chamber
Design brief to my self.
Purpose: Maintain fermenting temps between 12 - 26 degrees for various yeasts / brews.
1.Minimal but practical size to contain a plastic fermenter and air lock. (includiong cooling/heating units.)
2. Moveable / relocatable... and to fit bench height for convenience of filling, bottling, checking.
3. Easy access to keg lid and tap.
4. DIY challenge and keep cost to less than $200NZ. (apart from the temp controller, heat pad and dehumidifier)
I decided to build a chamber frame from light weight shelving units ( cheap, available at Bunnings, meccano-like with heaps of nuts and bolts - didnt use the shelves at all) - $58
Panels - aluminium composite - 4mm. - $76
Perspex door panel - $18
Fan - 120mm AC - Surplustronics - $19
Hinges and door hardware $8
Electric cable and hard ware $23
Here is where I am up to - PIX in random order - plenty more if anyones interested.
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Permalink Reply by Grant R Baker on
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Interesting.... I can't help on whether the dehumidifier will work but I have to see how this works out.
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Me too...
Works in theory and in my tests.
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A couple more.
Pix showing the sliding tray system and also a component that confuse me a little . Its a thermo couple that mounts on the evaporator tubes. Not sure of its purpose?
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Permalink Reply by Nicholas Jones on
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Great project Craig, be interesting to see how it works, look forward to your updates
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Thanx
I now have it all together with fan installed and door seals. Wiring is tidied (made safe andf neat) and I have earthed it all. (almost forgot to do that!!!). Access for the temp STC temp probe wire has been made and a power supply for the warm Pad is fitted inside.
Last step is to trick the cooler a bit by removing the humidity and ice sensors from the circuit and that will keep it running until the temp reaches cooling target. ( It will never run for long in cooling bursts). It cools down pretty quick and its only for keeping the liquid in equilibrium along with the warm pad.
May add a little light to finish it all.
Will post final pix in a day or two.
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Very cool.... I can see a mark II in your future for multiple fermenters
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SO... pretty much done and dusted on this now.
Last hurdle was heat dissipation from the heat evaporator and I did this with a big arse 12v fan that I had laying around from a puter case and some vent holes to allow the heat to escape Once this was sorted...the cooling inside the cabinet was able to achieve a stable 10 degrees easily. Not likely to ever need it below 14
Pix show rear with fan; inside with circulating fan and heat pad power supply; door and cabinet.
A shroud fits on the inside fan and evaporator and some insulation is going on the internal walls and ceiling.
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Jaycar (Auckland) about $30 IIRC !
Not cheap but solid and safety was the idea. Be hard to mount plugs to a flimsy box.
Surplustronics have some slightly cheaper options that would have done
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