DIY ..Project, refrigeration engineer...fermentation cabinet

[Craig Howard]

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.

[Craig Howard]

Base for the project is a Delonghi Dehumidifier and the  Condensor /Evaporator units. 

[Craig Howard]

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.

[Grant R Baker]

Interesting.... I can't help on whether the dehumidifier will work but I have to see how this works out.

[Craig Howard]

Me too...

Works in theory and in my tests.

[Craig Howard]

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?

[Nicholas Jones]

Great project Craig, be interesting to see how it works, look forward to your updates

[Craig Howard]

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.

[Grant R Baker]

Very cool.... I can see a mark II in your future for multiple fermenters

[Craig Howard]

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.

[Harry]

Where did you get the box to mount the STC?

[Craig Howard]

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

[Harry]

Sweet, been looking for a suitable one.

Currently just have mine taped to the lid of my keezer.