Vinotemp Wine Cooler

[BP22]

A few years ago I inherited a 350 bottle Vinotemp wine cooler. Looks like this one but, has a glass door and real nice finish molding. Works great for wine, although I only have about 25 bottles in it. This is a compressor unit and it keeps the temp around 65.

Being in SoCal, as the temps are rising, the temps in humidors are getting close to 80, so I now looking to use the Vinotemp. I have been reading the threads on the Haier units and I have a few questions.

The way this unit is setup, I could split it upper and lower by building a shelf divider. I am thinking of making one that is slotted to get the benefit and cooler and fan. Is this going to be a constant battle to try and keep a constant temp and RH? Is it feasible to have wine and cigars in the same unit?

Thanks.

[Mindflux]

If anything the Wine might help keep temp swings to a minimum with their mass.

The problem you'll have to overcome (with a temp probe) is not letting the cooler dip much below 65. I guess these things have a tendency to run into the 40s and warm back into the 60s and cycle again.

If you get a temp probe you can keep it within a 1-2 degree differential from 65.

Building an air-tight divider may prove difficult, though. You may just want to pony up enough money for beads to cover the whole cooler.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

Originally Posted by BP22

A few years ago I inherited a 350 bottle Vinotemp wine cooler. Looks like this one but, has a glass door and real nice finish molding. Works great for wine, although I only have about 25 bottles in it. This is a compressor unit and it keeps the temp around 65.

Being in SoCal, as the temps are rising, the temps in humidors are getting close to 80, so I now looking to use the Vinotemp. I have been reading the threads on the Haier units and I have a few questions.

The way this unit is setup, I could split it upper and lower by building a shelf divider. I am thinking of making one that is slotted to get the benefit and cooler and fan. Is this going to be a constant battle to try and keep a constant temp and RH? Is it feasible to have wine and cigars in the same unit?

Thanks.

A valiant effort my friend. This should generate some decent discussion as this ups the ante a bit from the standard wine fridge cooler talks. I have an initial suggestion before you get your hopes up too high. I don't know how often the cooling unit kicks in but a GOOD place to start in my opinion is with placing a calibrated hygrometer in there in it's current state and take a measurement of the rh. Then wait for the unit to kick in and take readings every 5-10 minutes if possible until 15 minutes or so after the unit goes off. This will help you understand what you are working with. I suspect with the know how on this board with a little more information from you you will be well on your way to filling it and coasting 65/65.

Speaking of which what kind of cooling unit is used? Do you know I read another discussion here by Justinphilly where the discussion was about thermoelectric vs. peltier...

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22406

[BP22]

Originally Posted by Mindflux

The problem you'll have to overcome (with a temp probe) is not letting the cooler dip much below 65. I guess these things have a tendency to run into the 40s and warm back into the 60s and cycle again.

If you get a temp probe you can keep it within a 1-2 degree differential from 65.

Building an air-tight divider may prove difficult, though. You may just want to pony up enough money for beads to cover the whole cooler.

The temp swings are a big concern. The interior of the cooler is lined with cedar (I think), so I'm pretty sure could get the divider close to airtight.

I'm still in the initial stages, thanks for your input.

[BP22]

Originally Posted by stogie_kanobie_one

A valiant effort my friend. This should generate some decent discussion as this ups the ante a bit from the standard wine fridge cooler talks. I have an initial suggestion before you get your hopes up too high. I don't know how often the cooling unit kicks in but a GOOD place to start in my opinion is with placing a calibrated hygrometer in there in it's current state and take a measurement of the rh. Then wait for the unit to kick in and take readings every 5-10 minutes if possible until 15 minutes or so after the unit goes off. This will help you understand what you are working with. I suspect with the know how on this board with a little more information from you you will be well on your way to filling it and coasting 65/65.

Speaking of which what kind of cooling unit is used? Do you know I read another discussion here by Justinphilly where the discussion was about thermoelectric vs. peltier...

http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22406

Thanks, I'm hoping it's not more than I can handle.

If I can get a good seal, I may try a divider and run beads with fan. The unit has power inside it so I could run something basic.

I'm pretty sure the cooler is the compressor type.

[BP22]

Here's what I'm working with. When the cooler was running the the RH dropped to 45% and the temp to 55.8*. When the cooler stopped, the RH was 51% and the temp was 56*.

I plan on converting the bottom half.

[BP22]

Here's the cooling unit.

[BP22]

I just picked up some cedar paneling to line the cooler. Hopefully I will have the divider built this week.

[raisin]

Spanish cedar?

[BP22]

Originally Posted by nisiar

Spanish cedar?

Unfortunately no.

[mels95yj]

Originally Posted by BP22

Unfortunately no.

It's not suggested to store cigars in aromatic red cedar which is what it looks like to me. It will impart flavors and scents onto the cigars. I would say no-go with this. Just my

Mel

[BP22]

Originally Posted by mels95yj

It's not suggested to store cigars in aromatic red cedar which is what it looks like to me. It will impart flavors and scents onto the cigars. I would say no-go with this. Just my

Mel

Thanks for the heads up. Back to the drawing board...

[BP22]

Over the weekend I built the divider seperating the upper and the lower portions of the cabinet. The temp on the lower portion which will be the humidor is now holding in the 60-65* range.

The humidity drops pretty good when the compressor runs so I just ordered the Johnson temp controller. This should minimize the time the compressor runs and smooth out the fluctuations in temp and RH.

Also ordered the Polymers from Watersorb.

I'm trying to get to Rockler this week to pick up some spanish cedar for shelves.

More pixs to follow soon.

[Marathon]

Keep us posted on this, Brandon. That looks like it will be one pretty sweet setup once you're finished with it.

[BP22]

Originally Posted by Marathon

Keep us posted on this, Brandon. That looks like it will be one pretty sweet setup once you're finished with it.

Will do.