the gutting of a Vinotemp for it's cooling

[parafumar]

well, I have a cabinet humidor that has been in need of some internal cooling to help out my cooling bill for the house. With the dropping of the Vinotemp price (and my ability to get one after a bit of a drive), I have started to gut the thing out.

I have all the wiring, etc dismantled to the point that it is all in a 'heap' and running on what was once the bottom metal piece (exterior) of the VT.

Here is the basic idea inside:

The panel on the front is held on by 3 screws - just pull the door seal away and unscrew. There are 3 black 2 prong plugs plugged there - the blue goes to the thermostat element (looks like an LED at the end of the wire and is ultimately found up near the fan shroud internally), and 2 other sets of wires that both go to the LED light. From the LED light, 3 wires go out of the VT to the back of the unit. There is also a quick disconnect plug that is easily removed / replaced.

How do you get to the stuff?? well, a hammer helps. If you use a razor, you will likely cut the wires accidentally (as I did). With a hammer, just hit it, cracking the plastic and foam underneath. carefully pry away, tracking the wires until you free them all from the foam.

As for the actual thermoelectric cooler - inside, use a knife to remove the 4 small circular covers at the corners of the internal shroud, then unscrew. At the back side, you need to unscrew both fans, then the two screws at the edges / middle of the exterior heat sink.

The exterior heat sink is the larger of the 2, so there is no real way to install backward.

Once it is all sorted, all you need to do is cut a hole in your humi and 'reinstall' - which I have yet to do but will soon. You can easily wire in longer wires, etc - which I plan to do. As for the back, the exterior heatsink and power boards can easily be recovered by reusing the external shroud from the VT.

So - if you want to hijack the thermoelectric cooling from a VT to use in an existing Humi - it CAN be done. Only think that will take some more 'engineering' is the 'drip' area.

of course, some simple woodwork would allow you to replace the plastic shrouds with wooden ones if you like.

will get some pictures up later (if there is any interest).

[n3uka]

Originally Posted by parafumar

will get some pictures up later (if there is any interest).

Definitely would like to see pics of the different stages.

[calstogy]

Originally Posted by n3uka

Definitely would like to see pics of the different stages.

I'll second that request for photos.

thanks - Rick

[ChasDen]

Very nice, I would defiantly like to see photos.
I picked up one of the $50 dollar units for just this purpose.
I plan on building a cabinet in my spare time this winter and figured if I screw up the dismantling I'm only out $50.

Chas

[parafumar]

Originally Posted by ChasDen

Very nice, I would defiantly like to see photos.
I picked up one of the $50 dollar units for just this purpose.
I plan on building a cabinet in my spare time this winter and figured if I screw up the dismantling I'm only out $50.

Chas

Chuck, the tearing isn't all that hard - will post some pics later tonight / tomorrow...

[parafumar]

I took a picture today of the 'guts' but have to wait for my wife to get more batteries and get the pictures on the computer.

In the interim, I made a spanish cedar 'mounting plate' for the VinoTemp control panel / temperature display, and after that decided it was now or never - and I cut a 4 1/4" square hole in my beloved humidor... I drilled a couple holes (2 are all that mount the cooling assembly) then set to installing the cooling unit. went pretty smoothly.

Ran the wires around, and placed the thermostat to the side of the humi, and the control panel resides under the halfway point, under some drawers. I kept the circuit board with the LED on it intact, as it is a bridge for 2 molex connectors - I don't have it in view though.

Don't worry - I will post pics of this too in a day or 2, but will place it in an 'after' thread (for those watching this one). I will post the pictures of the VT's guts in this thread though, as that is where it would belong.

As for the operability, we shall see. I only have one unit installed, and am certain that 2 will be required.

[madurolover]

Can't wait to see the pics of the finished project.