Wine Cooler DIY Cannatrol Page 1

[Tremojem]

Okay, so I purchased a Koolatron 48L Thermoelectric Wine Cooler. I then drilled some holes for cables and installed a Circulation Fan, Sensor Probe and Dehumidifier using grommets and cable anchors. I use an AC Infinity 69 Pro for the temperature/humidity sensor. The fan circulates air indirectly. Below are the pics of the build and hopefully will be self explanatory. Ask any questions you may have. Thank you for any advice or suggestions.

The unit suffered from a chemical off gasing. It took me a couple weeks and several attempts to rid the unit from this smell. This included airing out with fan blowing inside, washing with white vinegar and baking soda, and finally...adding heat to the interior with a heating mat. After heating was complete and cooled down, I then energized the unit and set the temperature for 46 degrees Fahrenheit. I cooked at about 97 degrees Fahrenheit when using heat. I went back and forth twice between the two temperatures. Finally, the unit has no smell when cooling or not.

MAKE SURE TO VIEW PAGE 2 FOR REMAINING IMAGES!


Here is the build...

 

[Tremojem]

PAGE 2!!!

 

[steamroller]

Looks very well thought out and built nicely.
Mind sharing the cost?

 

[Tremojem]

Sure, no worries...all US Dollars, all rounded up.

Koolatron $257 on sale, minus an additional $52 for chemical smell.

Strongman Dehumidifier $68

Quick disconnect $10, bag of 100, 3 sizes

HJGarden grommets $8, bag of 10

AC Infinity SP-3 fan $20

Lulu cable anchor $13 bag of 100, size large

$324 total

 

[Tremojem]

So, the Dehumidifier is overkill, but I wasn't comfortable with just a module and I thought it was a home run, but I find that without some testing, getting the right temp/humidity balance, is a little time consuming.

The concept is that the Dehumidifier is controlled by the 69 Pro, because it creates heat when cycled and forces the wine cooler to cool, and therefore also dry the space.

The rub is that it creates to much heat because I am not controlling it with the 69 Pro. Instead, I am using the Dehumidifier's onboard sensor and controller SW, if you will.

I will continue to test out settings and report out. I do have the AC Infinity 67 controller, so I can test that set up as well.

 

[Bandit420]

I love a good DIY project!
Well laid out, good pics, and ez to follow brother! Best of luck with it!

 

[Tremojem]

Oh thanks Brother.

Hey, so I am kinda in the middle of my dry, so all of this report is going to represent that specific time line and when a new dry starts in a few weeks, it will pull from this data, but a whole new data set will be created, and going forward it is expected that the dataset represents massive flexibility in that the following criteria needs to be considered...

Cultivar
Average bud size and density (larf?)
Amount (wet weight)
Wet trimmed or not
Whole plant hang dry, or individual buds, etc.

So when I say, "these are guidelines" it is a fact.

The goal is a slow and low drying environment. Anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit while maintaining a dew point of 53, or a VPD of 8. From there you slowly bring the humidity down each day over a two week period.

I am not convinced I can achieve the goals with the current set up. I will try another method whereby I trigger the Dehumidifier with the AC Infinity controller and not the Stropum on board controller.

I will keep updating as I learn more.

 

[Tremojem]

She is finally settled this afternoon. This is about where I need to be right now. I would prefer to hover around 65 for temperature, but am still playing around.

The other two controllers are idle with nothing running, just an FYI.

 

[ninjadip]

This is awesome man!!

I had a little fun using a wine chiller before but nothing as elaborate as this, nice!!

 

[Tremojem]

So, I have given this some thought and my in-experience leads me to think that the swing in data points you see in the images below are from a long Dehumidifier cycle. It is set for...
"On @ 55"
and
"Off @ 50".

I think I am going to change the settings to...
"On @ 51"
and
"Off @ 50".

This should drastically decrease Dehumidifier cycle time, and in doing so, prevent the Dehumidifier from overheating the interior.

The difference I am hoping for is that the wine cooler will be drying the interior instead of fighting the heat generated by the Dehumidifier cycle time, as the Dehumidifier will only run for a very short cycle, and not keep throwing heat into the interior.

Thoughts or suggestions are most appreciated.

 

[stonemason]

She is finally settled this afternoon. This is about where I need to be right now. I would prefer to hover around 65 for temperature, but am still playing around.

The other two controllers are idle with nothing running, just an FYI.

View attachment 108293

I have a cigar humidor convertered to do this works good.it helps if the ambient temp and humidity in the room isn't super high. . I Have a small dehumidifier that runs on a inkbird sensor at the bottom and a pc fan that runs constantly. Works pretty good not as good as my buddies canatroler. Humidity spikes the first few days when the bud is real wet. I add a moist sponge in a bowl at day 4 .my dehumidifier donst run much after the first few days.i have never ran it in the summer though only the winter and it's dryer then.i usualy pull it out and trim it on day 5 or six then throw it back in a few days. I have used it 3 times and will proubly buy another one.

 

[Tremojem]

Great Google moogly...

Check this out.

First image is the change in the data set as a response to the change I made with the Dehumidifier cycle time.

Second image are the numbers for the quick cycle time.

Last image are the numbers from the longer Dehumidifier cycle time.

Take note of the relationship between the min/max and it's correlation with the cycle time.

Let me know if you agree...

 

[Tremojem]

Here is the data set from the overnight and into this morning. For right now it appears to be dialed in.
Hoping I am on the right path...the cycle time cannot be reduced any further. Not sure how to tighten up the numbers any further.
Let me know what you think.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I’m not sure I follow what you’re looking for with “cycle time”. When you narrow the target range, the dehumidifier cycles on and off more times in a period of time than it will with a broader target range, right? Have you messed with setting a constant target, instead of a range, and using a buffer?

Controlling drying with the wine cooler by using the dehumidifier to generate heat and cycle the cooler on sounds like a difficult target.

I’ll try to catch up tonight and see if I’m misunderstanding methods you’re trying to dial in to achieve your goals.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Very cool build and well done. Reminds me of building server/computer cases. Airflow is a lot more important these days.

You use any smoke pens to see how the air flows? Just curious since you went so detailed.

 

[Tremojem]

I’m not sure I follow what you’re looking for with “cycle time”. When you narrow the target range, the dehumidifier cycles on and off more times in a period of time than it will with a broader target range, right? Have you messed with setting a constant target, instead of a range, and using a buffer?

Controlling drying with the wine cooler by using the dehumidifier to generate heat and cycle the cooler on sounds like a difficult target.

I’ll try to catch up tonight and see if I’m misunderstanding methods you’re trying to dial in to achieve your goals.

So, Firstly I cannot take credit for any of this. I have viewed 100s of videos/threads all over the internet, that have blazed this trail long before me, so thank you to all of them.

So, the cycle time, and forgive me if I misunderstood your question. The Dehumidifier is just that, a fully programmable stand alone device. No other person I know of used this device, so there is that deviation to the design, that my executive decision determined was appropriate, from my research. Additionally, the modules available online where not up to snuff, and required additional resources that in the end drove up costs and added more unnecessary complexity to the build.

Typically, other users tear down and strip a Dehumidifier to only the module, and control it with a third party programmable controller. I can achieve this by simply connecting my Dehumidifier to an AC Infinity controller and cycle it with the AC Infinity controller.

But, it is just as simple to use the onboard programming functionality of the Dehumidifier and until someone tells me different, I'm not confident there is an advantage to cycling power with the third party controller. Albeit, since I'm already using it to monitor environment, why not use it to control the Dehumidifier, so the thought of it is not lost on me.

Okay, according to the internet...the purpose of the Dehumidifier, is to raise the internal temperature of the wine cooler, resulting in the cycling of power to the wine cooler, based off of the temperature target of the wine cooler. The Dehumidifier cycle time is determined by the controller.

Here is the rub...if controlling the Dehumidifier is managed by a third party controller, then the cycle time of the Dehumidifier is short, very short. This is a result of the third party controller being satisfied when target temp is reached, by the cooling efforts of the wine cooler that has been triggered by the third party controller.

Conversely, using the Dehumidifier's onboard programming controls, allow for a different scenario. This is where I dropped the ball, only to later, have an epiphany regarding the cycle time.

Originally, I had set the cycle time too long. My data set proves that the Dehumidifier was heating the interior so much, that the wine cooler fought to cool the interior and defeated the purpose of a slow and cold drying environment. Instead, I had big swings in the environment and unachievable environmental goals.

My remedy to this, was to drastically reduce the cycle time of the Dehumidifier, by changing the parameters or triggers. In doing so, the goals have been met, with regard to the environment.

I now have the correct environment for my goal of a slow and cold dry. Please know this. I am a rookie. I am learning. I am sharing, even my failures. All, in an effort to further our communities effort to have the very best experience.

So, please continue to deep dive this subject and thank you.

 

[Tremojem]

Very cool build and well done. Reminds me of building server/computer cases. Airflow is a lot more important these days.

You use any smoke pens to see how the air flows? Just curious since you went so detailed.

So sorry, no. One of my concerns about this build was the very issue of fresh air turn over. I do not believe there is much of that happening. My build calls for two fans to be used, I am just waiting for my second fan to arrive. But, having said that, I have no concerns about indirect air "circulation". Instead, I'd like to see some fresh air turn over.

I am giving that some thought, as I am dancing around the idea of building my own enclosure or chamber, from ground up.

Or, maybe retrofit an old fridge..

Thank you for your kind words.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

So, Firstly I cannot take credit for any of this. I have viewed 100s of videos/threads all over the internet, that have blazed this trail long before me, so thank you to all of them.

So, the cycle time, and forgive me if I misunderstood your question. The Dehumidifier is just that, a fully programmable stand alone device. No other person I know of used this device, so there is that deviation to the design, that my executive decision determined was appropriate, from my research. Additionally, the modules available online where not up to snuff, and required additional resources that in the end drove up costs and added more unnecessary complexity to the build.

Typically, other users tear down and strip a Dehumidifier to only the module, and control it with a third party programmable controller. I can achieve this by simply connecting my Dehumidifier to an AC Infinity controller and cycle it with the AC Infinity controller.

But, it is just as simple to use the onboard programming functionality of the Dehumidifier and until someone tells me different, I'm not confident there is an advantage to cycling power with the third party controller. Albeit, since I'm already using it to monitor environment, why not use it to control the Dehumidifier, so the thought of it is not lost on me.

Okay, according to the internet...the purpose of the Dehumidifier, is to raise the internal temperature of the wine cooler, resulting in the cycling of power to the wine cooler, based off of the temperature target of the wine cooler. The Dehumidifier cycle time is determined by the controller.

Here is the rub...if controlling the Dehumidifier is managed by a third party controller, then the cycle time of the Dehumidifier is short, very short. This is a result of the third party controller being satisfied when target temp is reached, by the cooling efforts of the wine cooler that has been triggered by the third party controller.

Conversely, using the Dehumidifier's onboard programming controls, allow for a different scenario. This is where I dropped the ball, only to later, have an epiphany regarding the cycle time.

Originally, I had set the cycle time too long. My data set proves that the Dehumidifier was heating the interior so much, that the wine cooler fought to cool the interior and defeated the purpose of a slow and cold drying environment. Instead, I had big swings in the environment and unachievable environmental goals.

My remedy to this, was to drastically reduce the cycle time of the Dehumidifier, by changing the parameters or triggers. In doing so, the goals have been met, with regard to the environment.

I now have the correct environment for my goal of a slow and cold dry. Please know this. I am a rookie. I am learning. I am sharing, even my failures. All, in an effort to further our communities effort to have the very best experience.

So, please continue to deep dive this subject and thank you.

Thanks for explaining the dehumidifier cycle to me. Our power was out last night and I haven’t had time to go back over your previous posts in detail. You made it easy for me.

Looks like a fun build. I’ll be watching to see where you end up. Thanks for sharing this with us.

 

[Tremojem]

Latest update...

Please note that this dry was started as a Lotus Dry, in my fridge and after five days went into the Koolatron, so it is not a good representation of this methodology.

Next dry will be first real test.

Dry is completed at a little over 14 days.

12% moisture on average, and into Grove Terploc Bags, and back into Koolatron to cure at 62F and 60 RH.

Here are the mechanical changes to Koolatron.

Cut both bottom shelves to allow 75% usage, as I only removed the back rail. Now, both bottom racks fit easily around Dehumidifier, that is located in the rear of Koolatron. One of the two bottom shelves holds the Dehumidifier sensor and the other shelf holds the circulation fans.

I also secured the ACI Sensor to the bottom of the top shelf. I can pull shelf out to load with buds, without concern for the sensor, or simply remove pipe cleaners and then you can completely remove shelf from Koolatron.

I added four rubber feet to the bottom of the Dehumidifier to slightly elevate it, while the drain nipple still sits inside the Koolatron drain hole. The feet also prevents it from slipping or sliding, not that it's necessary, but a nice added perk. It also allows for some air movement to the area under the Dehumidifier and around collection area and drain hole, which is the reason for that change.

I am not able to remove the shelf with the Dehumidifier sensor, but am able to remove shelf with the circulation fans. The shelf with the sensor is easily freed up in seconds, as it is only a pipe cleaner holding it in place. Not sure it is necessary to move either, but it's nice to know the increased capacity is there should I need it. Just add the food safe perforated grill mats and load up with fresh buds.

I further cleaned up the wire harness for the circulation fans and it sits on the same shelf as the fans. Since adding the second fan, I have reduced output speed on both to low from high.

Below are some pics...

 

[Tremojem]

Okay, so this update is about methodology and not so much hardware or mechanical changes.

My Dehumidifier is a stand alone Dehumidifier with its exterior chassis intact. It has it's own onboard controller, digital display and sensor. It is very good at removing moisture and creating heat.

Originally, I used the onboard controller to control environment and this required me to physically put hands on, because it is not wifi or Bluetooth. That requires opening the Koolatron and destroying the internal environmental targets.

I did this to familiarize myself with the Dehumidifier and the process in general. I can whole heartedly state that this method of control works, but is not convenient.

I have now switched to triggering the Dehumidifier using the ACI 69 Pro. I purchased the ACI AC-ADA3, UIS Control Plug, Socket Adapter. Now everything is monitored and modified right on my phone, from anywhere.

Note: The ACI Plug Adapter is NOT recommended for any device that pulls any real amperage. A small PC fan, a small Dehumidifier, a little device of any kind that does NOT actually pull any real amperage. Otherwise, you're playing with fire, literally.

This method is just as successful in controlling the environment as the onboard controller of the Dehumidifier, just easier and actually improved, as the environment will not suffer from spikes, as a result of opening the door to change setpoints on the Dehumidifier itself.

You can compare data sets from both triggering methodologies. The pictures from the Dehumidifier onboard controller are in this thread for your review. It is my unprofessional opinion that the numbers are a little tighter using the ACI triggering, and that is another small improvement to the process, so a win of sorts...lol.

My targets are...

66 Degrees Fahrenheit
56% Relative Humidity
.9 - 1.0 VPD

I am curing, now that drying is completed. I prefer 56 RH over 54 RH. 54 RH being the recommendation from Cannatrol, when curing. I also noted that the Koolatron is two degrees Fahrenheit higher than my ACI Sensor Probe. I trust the ACI Sensor Probe over the Koolatron, so I will use the ACI numbers in my calculations. After the recommended 4 days of cure, I will change the RH value to 60 RH, for storage. I will make adjustments to cure time if necessary, by adding days if applicable. Incidentally, I believe Cannatrol recommend 68 F and 61 RH for storage.

Here are the pics...

 

[Zen_seeker]

Latest update...

Please note that this dry was started as a Lotus Dry, in my fridge and after five days went into the Koolatron, so it is not a good representation of this methodology.

Next dry will be first real test.

Dry is completed at a little over 14 days.

12% moisture on average, and into Grove Terploc Bags, and back into Koolatron to cure at 62F and 60 RH.

Here are the mechanical changes to Koolatron.

Cut both bottom shelves to allow 75% usage, as I only removed the back rail. Now, both bottom racks fit easily around Dehumidifier, that is located in the rear of Koolatron. One of the two bottom shelves holds the Dehumidifier sensor and the other shelf holds the circulation fans.

I also secured the ACI Sensor to the bottom of the top shelf. I can pull shelf out to load with buds, without concern for the sensor, or simply remove pipe cleaners and then you can completely remove shelf from Koolatron.

I added four rubber feet to the bottom of the Dehumidifier to slightly elevate it, while the drain nipple still sits inside the Koolatron drain hole. The feet also prevents it from slipping or sliding, not that it's necessary, but a nice added perk. It also allows for some air movement to the area under the Dehumidifier and around collection area and drain hole, which is the reason for that change.

I am not able to remove the shelf with the Dehumidifier sensor, but am able to remove shelf with the circulation fans. The shelf with the sensor is easily freed up in seconds, as it is only a pipe cleaner holding it in place. Not sure it is necessary to move either, but it's nice to know the increased capacity is there should I need it. Just add the food safe perforated grill mats and load up with fresh buds.

I further cleaned up the wire harness for the circulation fans and it sits on the same shelf as the fans. Since adding the second fan, I have reduced output speed on both to low from high.

Below are some pics...

View attachment 108693View attachment 108694View attachment 108695View attachment 108696

I try the lotus method every once in a while when I need too or have frig space.