cabinet style humidor cooling

I hear you bro, even living in northern AZ the temp still gets up there in the summer. I have found that with our RH in the desert being almost zilch, the way to go about it is with the peltier coolers as well as an active humidification device (ie-Cigar Oasis,Set & Forget,Moist-N-Air,etc) and a few lbs of beads just for good measure. That's what's going to be in my Cabinet Humi come next week. Up until now I just had the active humidification device and beads but recently I made a friend who will be installing the peltier coolers for me next weekend free of charge.

The story goes, the guy works for another Dept in the City I work for. He came to my office to get some general info and saw my little desktop sitting on my desk and said "oh hey, you smoke cigars?". Turns out this guy is a casual cigar smoker and usually drops by the local B&M every Friday to pick up a couple cigars to relax on the weekend. Needless to say he left my office with about 10 sticks to get him through till Monday LOL. He came back thanked me and then we got to talking about Humidors. Turns out, he's an electrician for the city so I ask if he thinks he could hook me up with installing the coolers.... the rest is history :D

Moral of the story..... Pay It Forward is a way of life for ClubStogie brethren.
 
New member as of today . . great site.

I't's fitting that my first post is in this 'old' thread but it's only right. This thread was the one that finally got me off my duff to add A/C to my humidor.

So tnx for your sharing . . now I have some data to give back. Hope you find it interesting. Basically, I'm adding a TE device to my humidor and at this writing (Rev "9"), I'm about to 'cut-the-hole'. Lot's of how-to-size it properly and other goodies.

Oops . . it won't let me upload it b/c it's too 'large'! About 900Kb . . lots of pics. Zipping doesn't help . . . maybe somebody can take pity on a newcomer????
 
JimF said:
New member as of today . . great site.

I't's fitting that my first post is in this 'old' thread but it's only right. This thread was the one that finally got me off my duff to add A/C to my humidor.

So tnx for your sharing . . now I have some data to give back. Hope you find it interesting. Basically, I'm adding a TE device to my humidor and at this writing (Rev "9"), I'm about to 'cut-the-hole'. Lot's of how-to-size it properly and other goodies.

Oops . . it won't let me upload it b/c it's too 'large'! About 900Kb . . lots of pics. Zipping doesn't help . . . maybe somebody can take pity on a newcomer????
Click to expand...

Photobucket.com....free photo server, and you can resize the pics to Forum friendly. Welcome! :)
 
JimF said:
Oops . . it won't let me upload it b/c it's too 'large'! About 900Kb . . lots of pics. Zipping doesn't help . . . maybe somebody can take pity on a newcomer????
Click to expand...

The reason there is a file size limit is so the sever wont be bogged down. If you'd like to share the file, you could always ask fellow members that are interested in it for their email address.

Other than that, welcome to CS.
 
poker said:
The reason there is a file size limit is so the sever wont be bogged down. If you'd like to share the file, you could always ask fellow members that are interested in it for their email address.

Other than that, welcome to CS.
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You just saved me a PM, Kelly. :)
 
poker said:
With summer approching & a few folks asking about keeping their humidors at or below 70F in temperature, heres a list of possible solutions. Feel free to add your solutions or suggestions as well.

Other then keeping the room the humidor is in cooled, the only other option is to keep the humidor itself cool. Those lucky enough to have a basement need not worry about this heat issue as much as those of us without one.

After doing some reaserch on this, theres 2+ possible solutions (neither of which is very inexpensive).

An internal air conditioner style cooling system

or

A thermoelectric cooling system.

Cooling
http://www.vinotemp.com/
http://www.eurocave.com/site/pages/produits/produits.php


Thermoelectric cooling
http://www.kryothermusa.com/Kryotherm Consumer Cooling Devices.htm


I know Coleman once offered a thermoelectric cooling device in one of their cooolers & some have suggested buying the cooler just to rip out the cooling device and modify it to fit their humidors. So far I havent heard of anyone doing this personally though.


Another solution would be to buy a wine refrigerator simular to the picture below and changing out the thermostat to achieve a slightly higher temperature (65F-70F):

B00004SACU.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg




Any other solutions you have found would be a great addition to this thread.
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Here's my way of dealing with the issue:
12,23,07j.jpg

12,23,07r.jpg

12,23,07g.jpg
 
Arlin,
where's the hot side of the TE coolers exit?? Appears that they are "boxed-in"?

What's the BTU/hr or watts of each TE unit?? Who makes them??
 
JimF said:
Arlin,
where's the hot side of the TE coolers exit?? Appears that they are "boxed-in"?

What's the BTU/hr or watts of each TE unit?? Who makes them??
Click to expand...

Indeed the AC is 'boxed in' To make this design work requires:

[1] handmade ductwork to bring in cool air from the extrerior
[2] replacing the original TE hot side fans to draw more intake air
[3] fans to enhance enhance expell/remove heated air
[4] insualtion keepong the two seperate
[5] fans to move the cooled air on the interior upwards into the cabinet

I am the only Custom Humidor maker [to my knowledge] in the world to offer this!
10,18,07a.jpg


AC units can be found @
http://www.inbthermoelectric.com/pdf/260-24-AA.pdf
 
Tnx for pics . . .

What about condensate?? Where does it go?

Are the TE units 400 BTU/hr units?

Looks like a few 'engineering' problems still remain. . .
 
JimF said:
Tnx for pics . . .

What about condensate?? Where does it go?

Are the TE units 400 BTU/hr units?

Looks like a few 'engineering' problems still remain. . .
Click to expand...

Respectfully all 'engineering issues' have been addressed. The condensate is collected by drains and returned back into the humidifier.
12,08,07a.jpg


The Ac units are http://www.inbthermoelectric.com/pdf/260-24-AA.pdf

I've been building cabinets using this 'format' for the past 4 years . My clients are all pleased, and thats all that matters to me.
 
OK, looks like very capable TE devices.

The fan noise (in one of your links) was measured in the open: when fans are boxed, the noise is even greater. How do you kill the noise? Do you slow them down?? Or is the noise killed by the thickness of your cabinets: they look extremely thick!

When you say "fresh air intake", I'm not sure what that means. In a TEC device, the HOT side fan either draws or exhausts air. Either way, the air is HOT and it needs to get out. So one side of the plenum is drawing cool air with the other side of the plenum exhausting hot air. Is that what you mean??

With multiple drawers and the TE coolers on the bottom, how do keep them all 'cold' with a 84" high cabinet? Not an easy task I would imagine.
 
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JimF said:
OK, looks like very capable TE devices.

The fan noise (in one of your links) was measured in the open: when fans are boxed, the noise is even greater. How do you kill the noise? Do you slow them down?? Or is the noise killed by the thickness of your cabinets: they look extremely thick!

When you say "fresh air intake", I'm not sure what that means. In a TEC device, the HOT side fan either draws or exhausts air. Either way, the air is HOT and it needs to get out. So one side of the plenum is drawing cool air with the other side of the plenum exhausting hot air. Is that what you mean??

With multiple drawers and the TE coolers on the bottom, how do keep them all 'cold' with a 84" high cabinet? Not an easy task I would imagine.
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The testing of the balance of the RH and temp is shown @ http://www.arlinliss.com/_Mahogany/Henry%20M/Humidor_Details.htm
 
Hey, yes I'm a newbie. I've searched and read most of the humidor cooling threads and post which answered several of my initial questions.

I came across a eurocave that my boss was throwing out after the cooling system broke and spoiled his sticks, so I hauled it home and cleaned it, so now I need some advice. First, should I forget the cooling system and buy the oasis xl and beads or invest the money in replacing the cooling system? I live in South Florida and our house temp is between 74 and 78 degrees. Oh, one of the trays has mold and were wondering how to get rid of it? I'd like to restore it, since I can't afford a cabinet and have collected several vintage cigars that deserve a good home. I know its a lot of questions and please don't be discourage by my newbieism.

Looking forward to your comments and suggestions.

Thanks

Ray
 
Sting Ray said:
Hey, yes I'm a newbie. I've searched and read most of the humidor cooling threads and post which answered several of my initial questions.

I came across a eurocave that my boss was throwing out after the cooling system broke and spoiled his sticks, so I hauled it home and cleaned it, so now I need some advice. First, should I forget the cooling system and buy the oasis xl and beads or invest the money in replacing the cooling system? I live in South Florida and our house temp is between 74 and 78 degrees. Oh, one of the trays has mold and were wondering how to get rid of it? I'd like to restore it, since I can't afford a cabinet and have collected several vintage cigars that deserve a good home. I know its a lot of questions and please don't be discourage by my newbieism.

Looking forward to your comments and suggestions.

Thanks

Ray
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Hi Ray. First off, sounds like you don't really have a temp issue. What is currently humidifying the humidor?

As for mold, if its cheap wood and easily replaced, just toss it. If its not easily replaced, you can clean the wood with a mil bleach/water mixand air it out in the sun for awhile.
 
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DonnieW said:
Hi Ray. First off, sounds like you don't really have a temp issue. What is currently humidifying the humidor?

As for mold, if its cheap wood and easily replaced, just toss it. If its not easily replaced, you can clean the wood with a mil bleach/water mixand air it out in the sun for awhile.
Click to expand...


I don't have a humidifier yet. I'm shopping for one and came across this string and started to rethink my idea/process. I may purchase an Oasis and some beads. Do you or anyone else have suggestions? The wood tray seems good. Where can I buy a replacement spanish cedar tray or wood to make one?

Thanks for your prompt response.
 
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