Thermoelectric wine cooler drying and curing - DIY

I started my dry on Sunday at 55/75. I've been lowering humidity by 1 each day. Had a couple of hiccups like water not draining properly and not knowing how to add my 1 buffer. I think I'm on track now. Should be going down to 55/72 today. Thoughts?
Things are still going strong. 8 days in and just set the RH target to 66. So much better than trying to fight the heat and dry during these hot days in my garage.
 

MRobi

Member
Have a grow finishing in the next few days so decided to build my fridge today. Still waiting on the grills to come in for the rack but the rest is done.

Used the Koolatron 20 bottle cooler. AC infinity controller 79 pro. Pro Breeze dehumidifier.

I took the back cover off and put the hole right under the ground wire. Then I tucked up all the wiring underneath the cover
1000019412.jpg

Final result is nice and clean. @davesnothere123456 since you're looking for mounting ideas.
1000019414.jpg

Cut the bottom grill so it'll slide in with the dehumidifier in place.
1000019415.jpg

I may end up attaching the sensor to the rack to get it more in the middle. I'm a bit worried having it near the fan could skew the readings a bit. I also plan on sticking a Xiaomi temp/humidity sensor to the glass of the front window for a quick visual check. Both the AC Infinity controller and the standalone temp/humidity sensor will be able to report data back to Home Assistant.

I may have missed it, but can somebody share their automations in the AC Infinity app that you're using to control the dehumidifier? Trying to wrap my head around the process of stepping it down gradually.
 
Have a grow finishing in the next few days so decided to build my fridge today. Still waiting on the grills to come in for the rack but the rest is done.

Used the Koolatron 20 bottle cooler. AC infinity controller 79 pro. Pro Breeze dehumidifier.

I took the back cover off and put the hole right under the ground wire. Then I tucked up all the wiring underneath the cover
View attachment 5404397

Final result is nice and clean. @davesnothere123456 since you're looking for mounting ideas.
View attachment 5404398

Cut the bottom grill so it'll slide in with the dehumidifier in place.
View attachment 5404399

I may end up attaching the sensor to the rack to get it more in the middle. I'm a bit worried having it near the fan could skew the readings a bit. I also plan on sticking a Xiaomi temp/humidity sensor to the glass of the front window for a quick visual check. Both the AC Infinity controller and the standalone temp/humidity sensor will be able to report data back to Home Assistant.

I may have missed it, but can somebody share their automations in the AC Infinity app that you're using to control the dehumidifier? Trying to wrap my head around the process of stepping it down gradually.
I'm not done yet but its been working nicely. I started out at 55F/75RH. In the AC Infinity app I did Advanced Automations and set the target RH to 75% with 1% buffer. I reduced the target by 1% each day (66% as of today) and once it reaches 60% I will let it sit there until it flatlines at which point I'll bag it up in grove bags.
 

MRobi

Member
I started out at 55F/75RH. In the AC Infinity app I did Advanced Automations and set the target RH to 75% with 1% buffer. I reduced the target by 1% each day
That seems simple enough. And should be simple to automate the entire process using Home Assistant with the AC Infinity custom component.

I whipped up a simple automation in home assistant that I'm going to take for a test spin. I created an input_boolean helper to start the process. It will delay for an hour (for things to settle), pull the RH reading from the sensor and adjust the humidity high value trigger to RH reading minus 1. Then it starts a 24hr timer and every 24hrs it reduces the trigger by 1 until it reaches 60%. I've setup double checks and notifications along the way.

So in theory.... I should be able to turn this on and not have to touch anything until it's ready to go.

YAML:
alias: Drying Fridge Humidity Control
description: Drop target humidity by 1% daily until it hits 60%
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id:
      - input_boolean.cannabis_drying
    from: "off"
    to: "on"
    id: Start_Drying
  - platform: event
    event_type: timer.finished
    event_data:
      entity_id: timer.drying_fridge_timer
    id: timer_finished
    alias: 24 Hour Timer Ends
condition: []
action:
  - alias: When Drying Process Starts
    if:
      - condition: trigger
        id:
          - Start_Drying
    then:
      - delay:
          hours: 1
          minutes: 0
          seconds: 0
          milliseconds: 0
      - service: select.select_option
        metadata: {}
        data:
          option: Auto
        target:
          entity_id: select.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_active_mode
      - service: number.set_value
        metadata: {}
        data:
          value: "{{ states('sensor.drying_fridge_humidity') | int | round(0) -1 }}"
        target:
          entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
      - service: timer.start
        metadata: {}
        data:
          duration: "24:00:00"
        target:
          entity_id: timer.drying_fridge_timer
      - alias: Double Check Settings and Notify
        if:
          - condition: state
            entity_id: select.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_active_mode
            state: Auto
          - condition: template
            value_template: >-
              {{
              states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
              ==
              states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
              }}
            alias: Test if initial humidity is set properly
        then:
          - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
            data:
              message: >-
                Cannabis drying started. Initial humidity set to: {{
                states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')
                | int  }}%.
              title: Cannabis Drying Started
              data:
                clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                color: "#93cb56"
                channel: cannabis
                sticky: true
                notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                importance: high
                ttl: 0
                tag: cannabis
            alias: Notify on successfull start
        else:
          - alias: Notify on failure
            service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
            data:
              message: >-
                There was an issue starting the drying process. Please double
                check your settings and try again.
              title: Cannabis Drying Started
              data:
                clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                color: red
                channel: cannabis
                sticky: true
                notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                importance: high
                ttl: 0
                tag: cannabis
  - alias: When 24hr Timer Expires
    if:
      - condition: trigger
        id:
          - timer_finished
        enabled: true
    then:
      - alias: If target humidity is above 60%
        if:
          - condition: numeric_state
            entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
            above: 60
        then:
          - variables:
              humidity_target: >-
                {{
                states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
                }}
            alias: Store previous humidity setting
          - if:
              - condition: numeric_state
                entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
                above: 60
            then:
              - service: number.decrement
                metadata: {}
                data:
                  amount: 1
                target:
                  entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
              - service: timer.start
                metadata: {}
                data:
                  duration: "24:00:00"
                target:
                  entity_id: timer.drying_fridge_timer
            alias: Decrease target humidity by 1%
          - delay:
              hours: 0
              minutes: 0
              seconds: 30
              milliseconds: 0
          - if:
              - condition: template
                value_template: >-
                  {{
                  states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
                  < humidity_target }}
                alias: Test to make sure humidity decreased
            then:
              - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
                data:
                  message: >-
                    Cannabis drying fridge humidity decreased by 1%. New
                    humidity level set to: {{
                    states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')
                    | int  }}%.
                  title: Cannabis Drying Started
                  data:
                    clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                    color: "#93cb56"
                    channel: cannabis
                    sticky: true
                    notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                    importance: high
                    ttl: 0
                    tag: cannabis
                alias: Notify on successfull humidity decrease
            else:
              - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
                data:
                  message: >-
                    Cannabis drying fridge humidity did not adjust properly.
                    Please check your settings and try again.
                  title: Cannabis Drying Started
                  data:
                    clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                    color: red
                    channel: cannabis
                    sticky: true
                    notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                    importance: high
                    ttl: 0
                    tag: cannabis
                alias: Notify on failed humidity decrease
            alias: Double check humidity decreased
      - alias: If target humidity is at 60%
        if:
          - condition: template
            value_template: >-
              {{
              states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
              == 60 }}
            alias: Test if target humidity is at 60%
        then:
          - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
            data:
              message: Cannabis drying complete. Target humidity of 60% achieved.
              title: Cannabis Drying Started
              data:
                clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                color: "#93cb56"
                channel: cannabis
                sticky: true
                notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                importance: high
                ttl: 0
                tag: cannabis
            alias: Notify on successfull humidity decrease
mode: single
 
That seems simple enough. And should be simple to automate the entire process using Home Assistant with the AC Infinity custom component.

I whipped up a simple automation in home assistant that I'm going to take for a test spin. I created an input_boolean helper to start the process. It will delay for an hour (for things to settle), pull the RH reading from the sensor and adjust the humidity high value trigger to RH reading minus 1. Then it starts a 24hr timer and every 24hrs it reduces the trigger by 1 until it reaches 60%. I've setup double checks and notifications along the way.

So in theory.... I should be able to turn this on and not have to touch anything until it's ready to go.

YAML:
alias: Drying Fridge Humidity Control
description: Drop target humidity by 1% daily until it hits 60%
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id:
      - input_boolean.cannabis_drying
    from: "off"
    to: "on"
    id: Start_Drying
  - platform: event
    event_type: timer.finished
    event_data:
      entity_id: timer.drying_fridge_timer
    id: timer_finished
    alias: 24 Hour Timer Ends
condition: []
action:
  - alias: When Drying Process Starts
    if:
      - condition: trigger
        id:
          - Start_Drying
    then:
      - delay:
          hours: 1
          minutes: 0
          seconds: 0
          milliseconds: 0
      - service: select.select_option
        metadata: {}
        data:
          option: Auto
        target:
          entity_id: select.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_active_mode
      - service: number.set_value
        metadata: {}
        data:
          value: "{{ states('sensor.drying_fridge_humidity') | int | round(0) -1 }}"
        target:
          entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
      - service: timer.start
        metadata: {}
        data:
          duration: "24:00:00"
        target:
          entity_id: timer.drying_fridge_timer
      - alias: Double Check Settings and Notify
        if:
          - condition: state
            entity_id: select.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_active_mode
            state: Auto
          - condition: template
            value_template: >-
              {{
              states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
              ==
              states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
              }}
            alias: Test if initial humidity is set properly
        then:
          - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
            data:
              message: >-
                Cannabis drying started. Initial humidity set to: {{
                states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')
                | int  }}%.
              title: Cannabis Drying Started
              data:
                clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                color: "#93cb56"
                channel: cannabis
                sticky: true
                notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                importance: high
                ttl: 0
                tag: cannabis
            alias: Notify on successfull start
        else:
          - alias: Notify on failure
            service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
            data:
              message: >-
                There was an issue starting the drying process. Please double
                check your settings and try again.
              title: Cannabis Drying Started
              data:
                clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                color: red
                channel: cannabis
                sticky: true
                notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                importance: high
                ttl: 0
                tag: cannabis
  - alias: When 24hr Timer Expires
    if:
      - condition: trigger
        id:
          - timer_finished
        enabled: true
    then:
      - alias: If target humidity is above 60%
        if:
          - condition: numeric_state
            entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
            above: 60
        then:
          - variables:
              humidity_target: >-
                {{
                states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
                }}
            alias: Store previous humidity setting
          - if:
              - condition: numeric_state
                entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
                above: 60
            then:
              - service: number.decrement
                metadata: {}
                data:
                  amount: 1
                target:
                  entity_id: number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger
              - service: timer.start
                metadata: {}
                data:
                  duration: "24:00:00"
                target:
                  entity_id: timer.drying_fridge_timer
            alias: Decrease target humidity by 1%
          - delay:
              hours: 0
              minutes: 0
              seconds: 30
              milliseconds: 0
          - if:
              - condition: template
                value_template: >-
                  {{
                  states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
                  < humidity_target }}
                alias: Test to make sure humidity decreased
            then:
              - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
                data:
                  message: >-
                    Cannabis drying fridge humidity decreased by 1%. New
                    humidity level set to: {{
                    states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')
                    | int  }}%.
                  title: Cannabis Drying Started
                  data:
                    clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                    color: "#93cb56"
                    channel: cannabis
                    sticky: true
                    notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                    importance: high
                    ttl: 0
                    tag: cannabis
                alias: Notify on successfull humidity decrease
            else:
              - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
                data:
                  message: >-
                    Cannabis drying fridge humidity did not adjust properly.
                    Please check your settings and try again.
                  title: Cannabis Drying Started
                  data:
                    clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                    color: red
                    channel: cannabis
                    sticky: true
                    notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                    importance: high
                    ttl: 0
                    tag: cannabis
                alias: Notify on failed humidity decrease
            alias: Double check humidity decreased
      - alias: If target humidity is at 60%
        if:
          - condition: template
            value_template: >-
              {{
              states('number.drying_fridge_dehumidifier_humidity_high_trigger')|int|round(0)
              == 60 }}
            alias: Test if target humidity is at 60%
        then:
          - service: notify.mobile_app_sm_s918w
            data:
              message: Cannabis drying complete. Target humidity of 60% achieved.
              title: Cannabis Drying Started
              data:
                clickAction: mobile-dashboard/cannabis
                color: "#93cb56"
                channel: cannabis
                sticky: true
                notification_icon: mdi:cannabis
                importance: high
                ttl: 0
                tag: cannabis
            alias: Notify on successfull humidity decrease
mode: single
Very cool. Would like to learn more about this for future dry runs!
 

Billytheluther

Well-Known Member
So i see bigger cooleres for a little more cash.. is there a reason kooltron is better? I see some a 24 bottle kootron thats about 150 more expensive but different brands are running for quite a few bucks less for the same size, however those brands state the product is frequently returned..
 

UnknownRemedy

Well-Known Member
So i see bigger cooleres for a little more cash.. is there a reason kooltron is better? I see some a 24 bottle kootron thats about 150 more expensive but different brands are running for quite a few bucks less for the same size, however those brands state the product is frequently returned..
It's what was recommended in the original thread and it's the one that hook uses. If it ain't broke don't fix it is what I live by. I don't feel like testing my money on other ideas, besides one I know should work. You can theoretically use any thermoelectric cooler, and modify it to have a dehumidifier in it.
 

billiam77

Member
You guys are a bad influence. I just finished putting a kooltron/inkbird setup together. Seems like a decent size, but don't think it will be big enough, so today I picked up a cheap used Cuisinart one just slightly smaller and will do the inkbird setup again

Trouble is this is my first grow and can't visualize how much the bud and trim will change in size after drying. Are all of you drying just the bud and no trim to make it all fit? Almost tempted to pick up a third, I don't want any of these plants to go to waste and plan on using the sugar leaves for budder or ? I can't dry in my grow area as it almost reaches 80 degrees and no efficient way to run a/c.
 

Hook Daddy

Well-Known Member
You guys are a bad influence. I just finished putting a kooltron/inkbird setup together. Seems like a decent size, but don't think it will be big enough, so today I picked up a cheap used Cuisinart one just slightly smaller and will do the inkbird setup again

Trouble is this is my first grow and can't visualize how much the bud and trim will change in size after drying. Are all of you drying just the bud and no trim to make it all fit? Almost tempted to pick up a third, I don't want any of these plants to go to waste and plan on using the sugar leaves for budder or ? I can't dry in my grow area as it almost reaches 80 degrees and no efficient way to run a/c.
Lol I have two, and yes I put the nicest buds in the koolatron and freeze or hang the rest. I will stagger harvests to fit the schedule when needed, it works out somehow. I either make dry sift with the trim or put it in the compost pile.
 

amneziaHaze

Well-Known Member
Fist time when i loaded my fridge i managed almost 300g(dry) it took some time to go down in humidity. This time i cut each bud and arranged them nicely i got only 70 to fit... this dried in a vouple of days i think i did 2 or 3 water removals.
A
Same as hook nice buds go in the fridge rest dries in the growbox
 
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