Structurally insulated panels - for fermentation chamber

[MichaelM]

I'm looking at building a fermentation chamber and looking at insulating options. I came across SIPs on bunnings trade website. Seems like one can cut out additional work of cladding the polystyrene as they already have board on both sides.

Anyone tried using these for such a project? Feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[chubbytaxman]

Trying to find some info on this too ...
Any chance of putting up a pic as I can't find anything like that in my local big green shed

Cheers

 

[droid]

interested in following your journey/s here, initially I thought about this too

putting the panels together and sealing everything is straightforward, heating it is simple but cooling it? a bit more of a conundrum

 

[NickyJ]

Yeah, I'd be keen to know how cooling would go. Interesting idea.

 

[chubbytaxman]

I have been struggling with this for a month or two now ...

Not a sparky's bum by a long shot so power would have to be of the 12V variety :blink:

To put you in the picture, I have two x bar fridges (with small freezer at top), and looking to remove the front doors, put them facing each other and building the chamber between them ... Complicated yet ???

Maybe with my description ... lol ...

Anyway, these two fridges would be controlled with an STC-1000, be able to house two or three fermenters ... Would want to put some sort of LED lighting system and fan in there too - like when the door opens, light comes on and when closed, fans operate to circulate air ... Feasible ??? :huh:

Just lost on how to connect everything up and the insulation panelling parts .... hmmmm

 

[MichaelM]

It's available as a PDF . I happened across it on a Google search. http://wholeofhouse.bunnings.com.au/pdf/SIPS_product_package_24-5-2012.pdf


Chubby taxman you're thinking along the lines I was.

I would be using a medium sized bar fridge taking the door off and attaching the chamber to it. Probably with a lid like a chest freezer to make it more energy efficient.

Wiring won't be a problem as I have built thermostat using an Stc controller. I'd plug the fridge directly into the controller. I'd put the heating pad on the heating relay. So no need to tamper with the fridges wiring.

 

[MichaelM]

Given that this is a modular system I would assume there would be fittings available to join the panels. Otherwise one could join them at 90 degrees with wooden blocks acting as brackets.

 

[Mattrox]

Have you thought of polystyrene insulation with sisalation glued to both sides then clad the outside with ply.

A local manufacturer did a custom job for my fish room. They make them in certain sizes but have some flexibility. Easy to cut with a hand saw or circular saw. They glue the silver foil on for you.

Mine were 75mm thick with sisalation only on one side. I let my fingers do the walking to find a local supplier.

 

[MichaelM]

Mattrox, I'll look into that option as well. Thanks

 

[chubbytaxman]

Given that this is a modular system I would assume there would be fittings available to join the panels. Otherwise one could join them at 90 degrees with wooden blocks acting as brackets.

Would they be available in such small quantities though ....
Looks from the linky above that they specialise in house lots - not so much offcuts .. :unsure:

 

[dicko]

I built a cold room many years ago from isulated panels I got from here. http://www.bondor.com.au

I used 50 mm panels and they are great. You get the joiner mouldings and then just cut the panels to size and rivett them together.
The cladding is metal so you are not dealing with wood and you could but small quantities when I did mine.

There are other suppliers in mosts states if you google

 

[chubbytaxman]

Was just after something like this ....

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0FAYh2QYq_k/TZ6qIk6LeII/AAAAAAAAAZM/cOtVwt23mGs/s1600/IMG_2587.JPG

Hopefully something is available from the big green shed ...

 

[QldKev]

I understand building a fermenting room if you have many fermenters, but why not use a bigger fridge for 2 to 3 fermenters?

 

[chubbytaxman]

Ha ha ... Just trying to use up what I have on hand - minimising outlays.
I have 2 x bar fridges so I thought they would work in conjunction with each other to chill down the 2 or 3 fermenters ...

Happy to be steered right if the theory is off :lol:

 

[QldKev]

It's great fun to build things, but I think for the $ you could sell the small fridges and get one full fridge unit. I think just the cost of the materials would exceed the cost of the replacement fridge. I've had this fridge below from new as part of a pidgeon pair (was our house fridge), but they sell for $100 to $200 secondhand. It fits 3 fermenters and looks pretty neat in the carport. offtopic, but the freezer section to it is now my kegerator/hop storage. There are not right or wrong ways, just trying to give you ideas.

 

[chubbytaxman]

Nice unit QldKev ... Totes jelly ..

Fermenting in cubes .... Hmmm ... That could work (never entertained that idea before) ...

 

[QldKev]

The bottom 2 are the "Bunnings square fermenters" I prefer them to a normal cube as they have the big opening on top for cleaning. They used to be white but are now blue.


This is the kegerator side to the pair. I can squeeze 5 kegs on the top shelf, and has plenty of hop and yeast storage.

They are a nice neat pair in the carport. Just ideas if you want to go that way

 

[QldKev]

Here's a cheap pair for $100 the pair

or the set I have for $400, which is more than I think they are worth.

 

[chubbytaxman]

Does the blue matter in a cube ???

Only ever seen clear / white ones.
Seen the blue jerry can type at BigW.

 

[QldKev]

Does the blue matter in a cube ???

Only ever seen clear / white ones.
Seen the blue jerry can type at BigW.

I've never used the blue one, but the guys on here report no difference and highly ok