Haier Wine Cooler
- Thread starter edisonbird
- Start date
Oh, forgot to mention, when nearly full of boxes it holds steady at 67.5 *F without a temp controller!
See my other post, above. I get the feeling from what I've read on these boards that these things run all different temps right outta the box. I think I'm lucky that mine gets as warm as it does. I would hope--but wouldn't expect--another EdgeStar 18 to run as warm as mine. Of course, if it runs too cold at its highest setting, there's always the temp controller add on.
I'm in Astoria. So, unfortunately, we're not all that close. (No car. I ride the rails.)
Hahaha! Grew up in Astoria!
Total Noob question: How do the temperature controlers work? Do they have to be installed into the cooler? In other words, is it a matter of taking parts off the cooler and replacing it with the controller? Sorry if this is obvious but I simply have no clue on how they work.
Thanks again for all the help and info guys.
Total Noob question: How do the temperature controlers work? Do they have to be installed into the cooler? In other words, is it a matter of taking parts off the cooler and replacing it with the controller? Sorry if this is obvious but I simply have no clue on how they work.
Thanks again for all the help and info guys.
Mister Moo
The Pinnacle of Style
With the A419 you locate a hard-wired temp probe from the controller box (mine wormed into the cooler via the condensate drain hole) inside the cooler. The cooler power cord plugs into the controller and the controller plugs into the wall. According to a few settings you define the controller kicks the power on/off at you high/low temp definitions. There are a few other bells and whistles but the Johnson controller is, essentially, an exotic power on/off switch. Mine holds the cooler about +/- 1*F during warm weather - it's quite good, I think.
Boston_Dude05
Chestbeating Pack Leader
One question I had was whether wine coolers have any odor when new? If so, how do you go about getting rid of the odor?
Also, how are you guys liking your wine cooler set-ups? The biggest test is how the cigars taste.
Also, how are you guys liking your wine cooler set-ups? The biggest test is how the cigars taste.
I wiped mine down with warm water only, no real strong plastic smell. I also added SP Cedar shelves to give it a nice humidor smell.
It works great. I move my cigars out of the cooler to a humidor for a day or 2 before I smoke them and they smoke great.
Ashcan Bill
West Coast Gorilla
I don't recall mine having an overpowering "new" smell, but I suppose there was a faint plastic odor. I washed it out with plain water, and started filling it up. Didn't lose any sleep at all!
Now when I open it all I smell is the sweet, overpowering aroma of tobacco. I've removed cigars from the cooler and immediately fired them up, and have yet to have a problem. They taste great and burn well.
Personally, I've found it's much easier to control humidity in the cooler than in my conventional humidors. Beads do it all. I almost bought an Oasis to put in it, but I held off and discovered I had no need for it. A couple pounds of beads handle things just fine. Temperature wise, mine runs 64-66 degrees when set at the highest setting. As such, I have no need for a controller.
Did I mention I'm pretty happy with my Haier?
Now when I open it all I smell is the sweet, overpowering aroma of tobacco. I've removed cigars from the cooler and immediately fired them up, and have yet to have a problem. They taste great and burn well.
Personally, I've found it's much easier to control humidity in the cooler than in my conventional humidors. Beads do it all. I almost bought an Oasis to put in it, but I held off and discovered I had no need for it. A couple pounds of beads handle things just fine. Temperature wise, mine runs 64-66 degrees when set at the highest setting. As such, I have no need for a controller.
Did I mention I'm pretty happy with my Haier?
Untreated how long before you typically see mold in your watersorb?
So you don't actually use the Oasis huh?
Yes I remove the Oasis due to the large amount of condensation I was getting with it in.
.
As for the Watersorb I didn't see much information on their website about the material and what it does. Will it release water as well as absorb it similar to what the beads DO
Yes the Watersorb releases water as well as absorbs it similar to what the beads do but greater. The photo below is 1 1/2 tablespoons of Watersorb expanded in a 5" x 3.5" x 2" container.
The only problem with the Watersorb is you need to mix Everclear or high proof clear alcohol to control mold. I haven't tried Polyglycol yet due to the Watersorb is so cheap, if it gets small black spot on it I throw it away and mix more. Just keep an eye on it for any black spots. I now have only 1 of these containers in my Avanti and it holds 67% RH.
I also built a smaller one for singles it also now has only 1 container of Watersorb
Container with 1 1/2 tablespoons of Watersorb expanded
It takes months before you see any mold and then it does start it will just be small dots on the edges of some of the watersorb. I usuall just pick out the ones with mold and keep the rest. If you use PG it will eliminate the problem.
I have begun using a Cigar Oasis to control humidity in the summer.
My final update:
Normal:
Sexy:
What was done:
* Purchased Haier 45 Bottle wine cooler.
* Moved unit temperature sensor to accommodate cedar.
* Lined unit in cedar.
* Wired a Watlow controller directly to the unit. Pulling power from coolidor, I then controlled the condenser operations bypassing the pre-installed unit. The unit initially runs 45-60 degrees; now it is 69-66 degrees.
* Currently using a CO XL Plus for humidity. The sponges were for the initial prep and have since been removed.
Quick stats:
* Temp range: 69-66 degrees
* Humidity: 69-65
* Capacity: 5-6 open shelf, around 10 boxes (400-500 smokes max cap).
I still need to clean up some wiring but the hard stuff is completed. I lost some space to cedar, but i like it (which is all that matters, lol). PM me if you have any questions on setup and thanks to everyone for their assistance throughout this project.
Normal:
What was done:
* Purchased Haier 45 Bottle wine cooler.
* Moved unit temperature sensor to accommodate cedar.
* Lined unit in cedar.
* Wired a Watlow controller directly to the unit. Pulling power from coolidor, I then controlled the condenser operations bypassing the pre-installed unit. The unit initially runs 45-60 degrees; now it is 69-66 degrees.
* Currently using a CO XL Plus for humidity. The sponges were for the initial prep and have since been removed.
Quick stats:
* Temp range: 69-66 degrees
* Humidity: 69-65
* Capacity: 5-6 open shelf, around 10 boxes (400-500 smokes max cap).
I still need to clean up some wiring but the hard stuff is completed. I lost some space to cedar, but i like it (which is all that matters, lol). PM me if you have any questions on setup and thanks to everyone for their assistance throughout this project.
Sauer Grapes
Entrepierna del Fuego
FYI, I'm not sure how good the brand is, but Targets have a 28-bottle VinoTemp Thermoelectric for $199.99. Temp range is 54-66 by a digital controller on the front of the unit.
I am experimenting with my new Avanti 28 bottle wine cooler. I have purchased the temperature controller unit. Does the placement of the probe in the cooler change its accuracy? I'm not sure if it should be near the top or the bottom of the cooler. This thread has been a great help with alot of the details in setting up my cooler.
The top of my coolidor seems to be the warmest, so i put my sensor closer to the top. When I say warmest, it may be 2 degrees difference at the most. Additionally, the sensor depth is in the middle, so it doesn't turn on every time I open the door.
hey all,
I am so close to pulling the trigger on a Haier [HVZ035ABS] which is the 35 bottle capacity as the weather down here is very very hot as in 75-80 F on a cool day. I would like to know if anybody else already has this cooler and if its good enough as to provide me with a steady temperature and an even more steady RH.....thanks, look forward to hearing from u guys..... :cb
I am so close to pulling the trigger on a Haier [HVZ035ABS] which is the 35 bottle capacity as the weather down here is very very hot as in 75-80 F on a cool day. I would like to know if anybody else already has this cooler and if its good enough as to provide me with a steady temperature and an even more steady RH.....thanks, look forward to hearing from u guys..... :cb
Do these Haier units require temperature controllers like the Johnson A419 like a regular fridge would? How many boxes would you say fit in an 8 and 16 bottle cooler, since I think a 35 count would be a little too much for now in my opinion, unless somebody could please tell me how many boxes can fit in a 35 aswell????
much thanks
much thanks
Wine coolers fit fewer boxes than you may think. My 28 bottle cooler is stuffed right now. It contains 6 boxes, 1 100-stick humi, 1 20-stick humi, and 1 40-stick humi. I don't think the 8 bottle cooler would be worth the money. I would just check ebay for the 28 count scratch and dent sales that often appear on there. Also, someone posted in another thread that Target has 28 bottle thermoelectric Edgestars (which is what I have) on sale for $149 right now--that seems like a pretty good deal if you can get it in store.