Foam fermentation chamber

[manticle]

However it works, it works so good stuff.

 

[Feldon]

These 12 volt (Peltier?) cooling systems were posted in the eBay thread recently (thanks, whoever it was).



http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Solar-DC12V-Semiconductor-Refrigeration-Pet-Air-Conditioner-Cooler-ECO-/351633459770?hash=item51defcca3a:g:JVgAAOSw7ThUc918

I was wondering if, with the addition of an STC 1000, they might make a good enhancement to the foam cooler box as a replacement (or partial replacement) of the frozen water bottles.

The vendor states at the bottom of his eBay page details of an experiment he made by putting a unit in a cardboard box (size 29cm x 19cm x 17cm). Says he had the temp drop from 9.2C to 4.2C in 20 minutes (see pics above).

How this device would cope with the gentle heat generated by an active ale fermentation I’m not sure. But if it did it would be a good small footprint and low energy alternative to a fermentation fridge (note that the vendor says its "zero cost, free energy", ha)

Just thought I’d chuck the idea out there for those interested.

 

[Dae Tripper]

Actually that is what I had in mind! There is a double one that should cool quicker. Your theory is sound, just like a car type fridge.

 

[Mattrox]

That sounds like a good idea. I don't think I'll do that as this is "just a spare". You would want a better sealing lid than I made though if you were going to "permanently" run with a powered chamber though.

 

[Dae Tripper]

Ok so I am pulling the trigger on this one. I have two of these boxes and when I clamshell them together will fit my stumpy fermenter perfectly. Got it going at 10:20pm. It doesn't have an inside fan but hey cold air sinks.

 

[Dae Tripper]

Right, well it had problems dropping temps so hopefully an addition of this fan will do the job. New experiment begings 11:25pm

 

[Dae Tripper]

Well that was a massive fail.
Without fan = Fail.
With fan = Fail.
Thought the old cell may have been on the fritz and replaced it with a new one = Fail with or with out fan.

GGGRRRR Stupid science, you have be baffled again. Wouldn't go below 22 degrees even though the fins where cold. It may have possibly been the fan speed to high and then to low with it off. Maybe I need a better heat sink.

I will point out that the ones on ebay may still work. Heck I might even buy the double bunger next fortnight.

Does anyone think it would be worthwhile putting something in the chamber aswell or has this type of temp control that is working?

 

[manticle]

What temp is your wort when you put it in the chamber?
If it's 20 - 22 your chamber is working well
Get it to 16, add yeast, put it in your chamber, see what happens then.

 

[Dae Tripper]

There was no wort in there, it was empty. I was trying to cool the air to prove the theory of it all.

 

[manticle]

I'm with you.
Was the temperature constant though or did it fluctuate?

 

[Dae Tripper]

It was a fairly constant 22 but I wasn't watching like a hawk. Dropped only about 3 degrees. Is there anything you want me to test?

 

[manticle]

Just thinking about its insulation properties. If it will keep a constant over a period of time, it might still do what you need.

Try placing 10+ litres of water at 10- 16 deg and measure fluctuations over 2-3 days. Opening and shutting the chamber will affect the insulation properties somewhat obviously.

 

[Barge]

The vendor states at the bottom of his eBay page details of an experiment he made by putting a unit in a cardboard box (size 29cm x 19cm x 17cm). Says he had the temp drop from 9.2C to 4.2C in 20 minutes (see pics above).

A 5 celcius drop in a small box does not bode well for using this as a cooling device for fermentation. The box would be larger and have an active heat source inside it. You would need to do some calculations but at a guess you would need a few of these for it to work under reasonable conditions. ie 23C ambient down to 18C. In summer, forget it. Cooling down from 30+C, you would have no chance.

 

[timmi9191]

Why not use the same concept but vent cool air from inside a fridge or freezer...

 

[Mattrox]

A 5 celcius drop in a small box does not bode well for using this as a cooling device for fermentation. The box would be larger and have an active heat source inside it. You would need to do some calculations but at a guess you would need a few of these for it to work under reasonable conditions. ie 23C ambient down to 18C. In summer, forget it. Cooling down from 30+C, you would have no chance.

Where as in my experiment, 2.5 kg of ice brought down 35 to 21 overnight and 2kg of ice can pull 19 down to 17 during a gentle ferment.

Replacing ice isn't automated and you have to work out what size bottle(s) to put in. But jeez it works.



However, for winter, I scored a 350W water bed heater. Connected to an STC 1000 that will be ample to do the job. Overkill even.

 

[Dae Tripper]

So I have been doing some science and results are as follows

Empty Chamber Results
With fan - 0850 start 25.1
- 1204 23.9

Without fan - 1205 23.9
- 1256 25.1
- 1408 25

With 10L of water in chamber
Day 1 - 1500 Air 24.1 Water 15.4
- 1638 A 18.5 W 16.2
- 1756 A 19.2 W 16.9
Day 2 - 0700 A 19.7 W 19.9
Day 3 - 0719 A 22.2 W 22.1

And there you have it
It is woth noting that the cool side measured 1.5 degrees at times.

I will attempt again with better quality coolers and maybe a double cooler one day.

 

[LAGERFRENZY]

A ready-made alternative if you want temperature control that works (keeps my brews at a constant 18 C in Brissie summer are these things from Ebay (they aren't cheap but i can recommend the quality of the manufacture):

Sorry if I hijacked the thread - I only just noticed that this was part of a DIY Projects heading...