Thermoelectric wine cooler drying and curing - DIY

by2 said:

So in my initial post I just used the existing drain hole and showed the cables true it. Works great with just the cables from the dehumidifier and sensor.
I have now changed my design since I noticed a lot of fluctuation of the humidity.
I would set the fridge temp to 14c and then wait a 12 hours to let it cool down and stabilise the humidity. it stoped at 72% so I set the humidity controller to 71% with 1% Dif. And the humidity would spike as soon as the dehumidifier started. Causing the dehumidifier to run for too long and heating up the fridge.

So I just finished up my new design that includes a small computer fan as well. So I had to drill a hole in the end any way.
I unscrewed the back plate from the inside. And drilled a hole from the backside in the hole that is already there. Its just below the barcode in the picture.
View attachment 5426873

I then just made the hole bigger from the inside with a step drill bit, I fucked up a little and damage the inside a bit but its only aesthetics.
Next up was to just get all the cables true the hole, I used a zip tie around the cables and used it pull them true to make as small hole as possible.
View attachment 5426874
I have a new controller now. I got my self an inkbird with wifi. I just opened it up and removed the sensor, since the connection is much smaller then the sensor it self. It is a small clip connector, so just push the lever and use a plier to gently remove it.View attachment 5426876

So this is how it looks right now.
The fan is blowing air down in hopes of creating some kind of airflow since the fridge it self don't have a fan.
I this picture you can see mistake nr 2 as well.
I drilled the hole in the wrong place off the metal plate. Will cover it up with silicone so no water gets in behind.
View attachment 5426878

I also created a custom shelf so I have space for the dehumidifier and so that the air is directed to the back plate.View attachment 5426881

I have just loaded her up with a whole bunch of leafs and it's cooling down at the moment. Will make updates along the way.View attachment 5426882

Click to expand...

by2 said:

So in my initial post I just used the existing drain hole and showed the cables true it. Works great with just the cables from the dehumidifier and sensor.
I have now changed my design since I noticed a lot of fluctuation of the humidity.
I would set the fridge temp to 14c and then wait a 12 hours to let it cool down and stabilise the humidity. it stoped at 72% so I set the humidity controller to 71% with 1% Dif. And the humidity would spike as soon as the dehumidifier started. Causing the dehumidifier to run for too long and heating up the fridge.

So I just finished up my new design that includes a small computer fan as well. So I had to drill a hole in the end any way.
I unscrewed the back plate from the inside. And drilled a hole from the backside in the hole that is already there. Its just below the barcode in the picture.
View attachment 5426873

I then just made the hole bigger from the inside with a step drill bit, I fucked up a little and damage the inside a bit but its only aesthetics.
Next up was to just get all the cables true the hole, I used a zip tie around the cables and used it pull them true to make as small hole as possible.
View attachment 5426874
I have a new controller now. I got my self an inkbird with wifi. I just opened it up and removed the sensor, since the connection is much smaller then the sensor it self. It is a small clip connector, so just push the lever and use a plier to gently remove it.View attachment 5426876

So this is how it looks right now.
The fan is blowing air down in hopes of creating some kind of airflow since the fridge it self don't have a fan.
I this picture you can see mistake nr 2 as well.
I drilled the hole in the wrong place off the metal plate. Will cover it up with silicone so no water gets in behind.
View attachment 5426878

I also created a custom shelf so I have space for the dehumidifier and so that the air is directed to the back plate.View attachment 5426881

I have just loaded her up with a whole bunch of leafs and it's cooling down at the moment. Will make updates along the way.View attachment 5426882

Click to expand...

by2 said:

Is its been up and running for about 36 hours by now and it is working.
I don't have time to do a full test cycle so decided to shorten it.
I have constantly decreased the humidity set point by 0.5% some times 1% but then the temp raised too much and I had to back off manually.

My conclusion is that it will work perfectly if I just keep to 0.5%-1% decrees per day as recommend and the temp will be fine.
I have an Ecowitt sensor inside and its no the most accurate. It is off by 2-5% humidity from the ink bird but at least it shows that the Graf is going in the right direction.
View attachment 5427393
The 2 bigger spike was when I change the setting with 1%
But yeah I can see a trend so feel confident it will work.
Inbird sensor had 79.8% at 12.6c when I first recorded it and we are now at 74.5 at 13.3c.

What humidity starting point do you have after you loaded it up?
Mine was around 80% after the temp settled around 13c so should leave me plenty of time before mould growth.

Click to expand...

by2 said:

Is its been up and running for about 36 hours by now and it is working.
I don't have time to do a full test cycle so decided to shorten it.
I have constantly decreased the humidity set point by 0.5% some times 1% but then the temp raised too much and I had to back off manually.

My conclusion is that it will work perfectly if I just keep to 0.5%-1% decrees per day as recommend and the temp will be fine.
I have an Ecowitt sensor inside and its no the most accurate. It is off by 2-5% humidity from the ink bird but at least it shows that the Graf is going in the right direction.
View attachment 5427393
The 2 bigger spike was when I change the setting with 1%
But yeah I can see a trend so feel confident it will work.
Inbird sensor had 79.8% at 12.6c when I first recorded it and we are now at 74.5 at 13.3c.

What humidity starting point do you have after you loaded it up?
Mine was around 80% after the temp settled around 13c so should leave me plenty of time before mould growth.

Click to expand...

Hook Daddy said:

Looks like it’s working exactly as it should. The starting rh will be determined by how wet the bud is going in, mid to high 70’s is normal.

Click to expand...

Trust1337 said:

Thank you, that helps me a lot. Did you pre-dry the buds or did you cut them and put them in directly after cutting?

And as I understand it correctly, do you both stay at a temperature of 13 degrees and then simply lower the humidity by 1% every day?

Click to expand...

Hook Daddy said:

I have done both hang drying first and just putting them in directly after harvest, I don’t hang dry first anymore. I have been setting my temp at 12C and lowering rh by .5 to 1% a day, starting at .5 and going quicker if I want after the first few days. Watch the water drip tray the first few days, it can fill quickly.

Click to expand...

Trust1337 said:

Unfortunately I can't give you a Like, thank you!
You don't use Boveda right?
Have you noticed any improvements in the smell and taste in the meantime? I would be very interested to know

Click to expand...