Is it possible to convert to thermo cool?

Giant & 49er Fan · 02-19-2010, 03:17 PM

I have a tower humidor (not temp controlled). I was wondering if it was possible to convert my tower to a temperature controlled unit? Like a vino! Would it be cost effective as I love the size of the box and want to protect my smokes. Please help...

bobarian · 02-19-2010, 03:27 PM

Yes it can be done. Whether its cost effective is up to you. But anything can be done for a price. I would give Bob Staebell a call and give him the dimensions of your cabinet and get an estimate on one of his systems. Then you can factor labor to install and decide from there.

Giant & 49er Fan · 02-19-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobarian

Yes it can be done. Whether its cost effective is up to you. But anything can be done for a price. I would give Bob Staebell a call and give him the dimensions of your cabinet and get an estimate on one of his systems. Then you can factor labor to install and decide from there.

Thanks. Spoke to Bob who convinced me that my cabinet would not make a efficient "cooled unit."

Giant & 49er Fan · 02-19-2010, 04:01 PM

Mods can shutir down!

02-19-2010, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPguy

Thanks. Spoke to Bob who convinced me that my cabinet would not make a efficient "cooled unit."

That makes me very curious

Is it the shape, cost, brand?

If you like it, I would be curious why not consider it.

Chas

XTRazzer · 02-19-2010, 09:28 PM

Probably single pane glass? and a lot of it?

02-19-2010, 09:54 PM

That might be it.

BUT

A local shop around here has a huge display outside the walk-in they keep the really expensive stuff in and they modified it with a thermo unit, it always reads 68-70 in the summer even when its frigging hot out. Its all glass, 3 sides, 6 feet high, 6-8 feet wide a foot to two deep. The glass doors are no way 1/4 inch, probably double strength at best.

So its possible.

Chas

XTRazzer · 02-20-2010, 03:14 PM

And they're probably sliding doors at that? Which shop? I might need to visit if not too far north.

02-22-2010, 03:12 PM

The "tower" humidors are not great candidates for conversion to temp control-if one plans to use peltier cooling units. They are only 17" deep & have a full glass door. I have found one has to use 1-2" of high R value foam to keep things efficient enough that it only requires a couple hundred watts of cooling power to get a 20 degree temp drop.

If you dont' use insulation, then it takes 6-8 times as much cooling capacity to get the same temp drop--that gets expensive & takes up a lot of cigar space.

There is a very high Rvalue custom vacuum panel available, but again it's very expensive & not cost effective. They also have not been around long enough for me to entirely trust the panels are going to maintain an effective vaccum for 20 years.

Net/net--A great many cabinets can easily be converted to humidity control, but not many are designed to retrofit with cost effective cooling/insulation and a good functional & elegant result.

cheers,
Bob Staebell

02-19-2010, 03:17 PM	#1
Giant & 49er Fan Formerly known as RPguy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Jaime Location: McCovey Cove! Posts: 1,318 Trading: (35)	Is it possible to convert to thermo cool? I have a tower humidor (not temp controlled). I was wondering if it was possible to convert my tower to a temperature controlled unit? Like a vino! Would it be cost effective as I love the size of the box and want to protect my smokes. Please help... __________________ "This cigar tastes like the weekend!" - JBoogie

02-19-2010, 03:27 PM	#2
bobarian Cranky Habanophile Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wine Country Posts: 8,869 Trading: (51)	Re: Is it possible to convert to thermo cool? Yes it can be done. Whether its cost effective is up to you. But anything can be done for a price. I would give Bob Staebell a call and give him the dimensions of your cabinet and get an estimate on one of his systems. Then you can factor labor to install and decide from there.

02-19-2010, 04:01 PM	#4
Giant & 49er Fan Formerly known as RPguy Join Date: May 2009 First Name: Jaime Location: McCovey Cove! Posts: 1,318 Trading: (35)	Re: Is it possible to convert to thermo cool? Mods can shutir down! __________________ "This cigar tastes like the weekend!" - JBoogie

02-19-2010, 09:28 PM	#6
XTRazzer Still Watching My Back Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 131 Trading: (1)	Re: Is it possible to convert to thermo cool? Probably single pane glass? and a lot of it?

02-19-2010, 09:54 PM	#7
ChasDen Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Is it possible to convert to thermo cool? That might be it. BUT A local shop around here has a huge display outside the walk-in they keep the really expensive stuff in and they modified it with a thermo unit, it always reads 68-70 in the summer even when its frigging hot out. Its all glass, 3 sides, 6 feet high, 6-8 feet wide a foot to two deep. The glass doors are no way 1/4 inch, probably double strength at best. So its possible. Chas

02-20-2010, 03:14 PM	#8
XTRazzer Still Watching My Back Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 131 Trading: (1)	Re: Is it possible to convert to thermo cool? And they're probably sliding doors at that? Which shop? I might need to visit if not too far north.

02-22-2010, 03:12 PM	#9
bob staebell Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Is it possible to convert to thermo cool? The "tower" humidors are not great candidates for conversion to temp control-if one plans to use peltier cooling units. They are only 17" deep & have a full glass door. I have found one has to use 1-2" of high R value foam to keep things efficient enough that it only requires a couple hundred watts of cooling power to get a 20 degree temp drop. If you dont' use insulation, then it takes 6-8 times as much cooling capacity to get the same temp drop--that gets expensive & takes up a lot of cigar space. There is a very high Rvalue custom vacuum panel available, but again it's very expensive & not cost effective. They also have not been around long enough for me to entirely trust the panels are going to maintain an effective vaccum for 20 years. Net/net--A great many cabinets can easily be converted to humidity control, but not many are designed to retrofit with cost effective cooling/insulation and a good functional & elegant result. cheers, Bob Staebell