Thermal Electric Cooling Units

[daniyal]

Hey guys! I've been inspired by the numerous DIY humidors by fellow gorillas and want to build one of my own. I want to go the extra mile by putting a cooling unit in it similar to the one's used in vinotemps or other wine coolers. Does any one know a reputable vendor where I might be able to find one? Any help would be much appreciated.

[ritan]

Hey, we have the same climate conditions. Build two and send one to me.

But seriously, I'll be interested in how you do this. Good luck!

[cf2112]

I got mine off e-bay, the power supply from Radio Shack. Now I just need to find the time to put it together

[Mtmouse]

I did a bit of research a couple months ago. Every supplier I found was expensive. The complete units ran about $250.00 a piece, on the low side. Everyone told me I would need a few units, plus a temp control unit.

My next thought was to try and find some 'damaged' Vinotemp coolers and scavenge parts from them.

I also looked at the Vinotemp website and saw you can get the cooler units as replacement/repair parts from them at a reasonable price.
http://www.vinotemp.com/bottle-therm...eel-p-454.html

[smokinpoke]

This has always been a thought of mine.

Why not go to your local Coke, Pepsi distributor and buy one of their coolers you know the ones that need some repair.

They would probably sell it to you on the cheap.

[muziq]

Originally Posted by smokinpoke

This has always been a thought of mine.

Why not go to your local Coke, Pepsi distributor and buy one of their coolers you know the ones that need some repair.

They would probably sell it to you on the cheap.

I thought most of those were compressor units. No?

[Wharf Rat]

Originally Posted by daniyal

Hey guys! I've been inspired by the numerous DIY humidors by fellow gorillas and want to build one of my own. I want to go the extra mile by putting a cooling unit in it similar to the one's used in vinotemps or other wine coolers. Does any one know a reputable vendor where I might be able to find one? Any help would be much appreciated.

If you're thinking of Peltier thermoelectric modules, here's a link to much info:

http://www.peltier-info.com/

Tellurex makes a ready to go demonstration module that I've used successfully at work, not for a humidor.

[smokinpoke]

Originally Posted by muziq

I thought most of those were compressor units. No?

I wouldn't use it to cool. I just think having humidor with a sliding front glass that says "Mountain Dew Code Red" on it would be kinda cool.

[Gizzy]

just remember most basic "thermo-electric" or "silent" types that you get can at most only reduce the temp by about ~20°F from ambient temp...so if it gets Really hot in the summers...inside it will be cooler but still high'ish

[Moosie]

Originally Posted by smokinpoke

I wouldn't use it to cool. I just think having humidor with a sliding front glass that says "Mountain Dew Code Red" on it would be kinda cool.

The Beverage Coolers you speak of are made by "True", you can find them on Ebay. Type, true coolers, and you will find several. They are not cheap. I have a GDM-23. Using a Johnson controller will take care of the temp. They have used ones that can be bought cheap sometimes.
Good luck.

[daniyal]

Thanks for all the great info and suggestions! I don't think I'll be able to get a coke fridge since those are not as readily available here but this is what I'm planning on doing, first up I think I should get this:

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bi...C_DEVICE_.html

I don't know what area such a device might be used to cool but I'm guessing putting 2 in a bracket with a large fan should do the trick either way a little experimenting might be in order.

I was thinking of putting the heatsink along with the fan at the bottom of the cabinet I'll build, this keeps it out of sight and I can always have it extending out the bottom to save space and dissipate the hot air. I will need a temperature controller.. not sure what I'll do for that but something simple and compact should suffice perhaps radio shack might have one or perhaps a fan regulator that controls the fan speed might serve the purpose.

End of the day I'm guessing its a lot of experimentation and a bit of luck. The cabinet I'm planning will be around 24"W X 28"D x 36"H made out of teak with spanish cedar lining. I'm also planing on adding a drawer for singles to the design. Lining the cabinet gives me the opportunity to hide all the ugly wires and creating a much tighter seal as I'll be cutting the bottom to accommodate the heatsink.

Now I don't have much knowledge about such matter and I don't know how much of what I have thought up is possible but at the moment I see no harm in it if I can make my own humidified and cooled cabinet for half the price they're offered online its well worth the effort. Do let me know what you guys think.

[Mtmouse]

This will give an idea.

http://www.dgdesigns.com/humidor/indexfive/index.htm