El Cheapo water chiller.

I picked up a functional mini fridge off craigslist that isn't very old maybe a year or two for $50. I'm going to cut and solder a 1/2" copper tubing manifold inside, then drill holes in the side of the fridge to bring water in and out. I'll install the fridge outside the grow room so it doesnt add heat. Wrap the lines in and out with that black foam wrap around insulation. Any reason why it wouldn't work?

I was thinking about doing this also. Intrested to hear the responses. Maybe coil the copper pipe inside the fridge to add more surface area of pipe inside the fridge so it's not just straight in and out?

Are you in a recirculating cycle? I've always wondered why people use chillers . Drop a frozen 2 liter water bottle in your res, that'll cool that shit down cheap style

patrickkawi37 said:

Are you in a recirculating cycle? I've always wondered why people use chillers . Drop a frozen 2 liter water bottle in your res, that'll cool that shit down cheap style

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Ya but I'm gone weeks at a time.

I have seen videos of making chillers from ACs on Youtube. Should be about the same.

It will work but heat transfer from air thru copper is low. If you could submerge the coil in the fridge in a bucket of water you'll get much better heat transfer. All you'll need then is a C.A.P controller that monitors your rez temp and turns the circ pump on and off.

BuddyLeeCU said:

Ya but I'm gone weeks at a time.

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You don't dump/flush or add nutes for weeks at a time?

deadgro said:

You don't dump/flush or add nutes for weeks at a time?

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http://rollitup.org/t/el-cheapo-ebb-and-flow-system-on-perpetual-harvest.861979/#post-11351930

Usually I'm home every 2-3 weeks. I dump every 4 - 6 weeks. I will top off with nutes and water, and after 6 weeks just water.