Thermo Electric Fridge

[shaggy]

Ok here is the deal. I found a thermo electric bar fridge on sale so scooped it up thinkin it would give me some nice storage for the summer. i get it home and read the specs on it and it say cooling from 2C (36F) to 10C (50F).
no mention about ambient temps directly but says that they do affect it. so a couple of questions.

is 50F too cool for cigars?

if so would say 75-80F ambient be enough to bump up the internal temp?

no sweat either way,,,they were cheap enough that it would make a good beverage fridge if it is too cool for the sticks.

[Twill413]

You should be able to find a controller relatively easily. I am sure a BOTL can hook you up with a website, but that would solve your problem I think. 50 degrees could be a little hard to maintain humidity, but with a controller you should be able to keep it in the butter zone.

[OSIRIS]

I have one of the Johnson Controls and it works great. I got mine on E-bay for around 50 bucks, you set this inline to your fridge and put the temp probe inside, you can set ranges and when it gets to high it will kick the TE in and cool things off.

http://www.blueridgecompany.com/radiant/hydronic/287

You have to wire it yourself, although I do believe there is a model prewired, but here is a guide i found from a home brewing forum. Was pretty easy.

http://forum.northernbrewer.com/view...8d5c0197637e71

Here is mine installed

[Scimmia]

You'd definately need an external temp controller. I picked up a Johnson on Ebay for $25 shipped a while ago, so they're not too expensive. Remember I mentioned remote temp control to you a while ago, when we were talking about humidity sensors? I assume you need this soon, though.

[Little General]

That range is impressive for a thermo-ele unit. It must have a huge heatsink... I'd go with a controller.

[borndead1]

Originally Posted by shaggy

is 50F too cool for cigars?

You will have a helluva time keeping humidity if the temp is that low. I have 2 fridgerdors, and use temp controllers on both of them. I have them set to kick on at 68* and kick off at 64*. For humidification I use a Cigar Oasis and beads. 50% of the time the COs are unplugged. No issues with condensation yet, I am crossing my fingers.


The fridgerdor is an educational experience full of trial and error. I wish you the best of luck.

[shaggy]

thanks for the input guys....i will just keep it as a beverage fridge and grab a wine cooler or 2