Non-thermoelectric cooler is it ok?

boom · 05-17-2009, 03:22 PM

Can a non-thermoelectric wine cooler be used? I got one but will it damage cigars?

zemekone · 05-17-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boom

Can a non-thermoelectric wine cooler be used? I got one but will it damage cigars?

as long as you can control the humidity you should be fine....

as soon as the compressor kicks on the humidity gets all sucked out...

G G · 05-17-2009, 03:45 PM

PM Scott Shilala and ask him.

DPD6030 · 05-17-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggainey

PM Scott Shilala and ask him.

Or Chasden as he builds drawers for these

GrumpyOleTroll · 05-17-2009, 04:08 PM

Yes you can.

Like said before its a lil harder to maintain RH%

I had mine on a timer and it worked great (mine was a dorm fridge but same idea).

on 15mins every 2 hrs and a bowl of beads under the freezer part to catch any condensation again my set up was a lil different.

Shawn

GoatLocker · 05-17-2009, 07:41 PM

They work fine with a few caveats.

1. The cooling plate (evaporator) gets very cold and has a large surface area. This means it is a large dew collector, and it will suck the moisture out of the air quickly. On mine, the RH would drop 20% or more in the few minutes the compressor ran! Because of this, you need to keep the cigars in a box or drawer, so they are not exposed to the short duration humidity swings. Placing my wireless hygrometer inside a box of cigars showed no change in RH when the compressor ran, or any other time. The frost on the evaporator will melt quickly once the compressor shuts off and humidity is restored within 10 minutes or so. You might need a sponge under the evaporator to catch drips.

2. In most cases, the thermostat is not accurate enough and lacks the functionality required to maintain a steady temp. Many people use the Johnson Controls A419 to control the temp.

3. You have to keep your boxes off the cooling plate (so they don't get wet) and add some fans to move the air around.

First off, this info is based on my experience with a specific wine fridge (Magic Chef 52 Bottle), as well as talking to others who took on similar projects. YMMV! Good luck.

The Poet · 08-18-2009, 05:13 PM

Bump for le Quebeceur.

08-18-2009, 05:22 PM

mine is a real fridge though with a freezer in it. wont it be too cold if i let it works.

or should i just let it non plugged?

and tks for the bump

05-17-2009, 03:22 PM	#1
boom Central Cali Cigar Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Troy Location: Cen Cal Posts: 1,659 Trading: (107)	Non-thermoelectric cooler is it ok? Can a non-thermoelectric wine cooler be used? I got one but will it damage cigars?

05-17-2009, 03:45 PM	#3
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,723 Trading: (10)	Re: Non-thermoelectric cooler is it ok? PM Scott Shilala and ask him.

05-17-2009, 04:08 PM	#5
GrumpyOleTroll Not Crazy enuff to B Here Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Shawn Location: Wichita KS Posts: 273 Trading: (18)	Re: Non-thermoelectric cooler is it ok? Yes you can. Like said before its a lil harder to maintain RH% I had mine on a timer and it worked great (mine was a dorm fridge but same idea). on 15mins every 2 hrs and a bowl of beads under the freezer part to catch any condensation again my set up was a lil different. Shawn __________________ Not Crazy enough to be here....

05-17-2009, 07:41 PM	#6
GoatLocker Dr of Quantum Inebrionics Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Eric Location: Sandy Eggo Posts: 434 Trading: (1)	Re: Non-thermoelectric cooler is it ok? They work fine with a few caveats. 1. The cooling plate (evaporator) gets very cold and has a large surface area. This means it is a large dew collector, and it will suck the moisture out of the air quickly. On mine, the RH would drop 20% or more in the few minutes the compressor ran! Because of this, you need to keep the cigars in a box or drawer, so they are not exposed to the short duration humidity swings. Placing my wireless hygrometer inside a box of cigars showed no change in RH when the compressor ran, or any other time. The frost on the evaporator will melt quickly once the compressor shuts off and humidity is restored within 10 minutes or so. You might need a sponge under the evaporator to catch drips. 2. In most cases, the thermostat is not accurate enough and lacks the functionality required to maintain a steady temp. Many people use the Johnson Controls A419 to control the temp. 3. You have to keep your boxes off the cooling plate (so they don't get wet) and add some fans to move the air around. First off, this info is based on my experience with a specific wine fridge (Magic Chef 52 Bottle), as well as talking to others who took on similar projects. YMMV! Good luck. __________________ "I drink a great deal. I sleep a little, and I smoke cigar after cigar. That is why I am in two-hundred-percent form." Winston Churchill

08-18-2009, 05:13 PM	#7
The Poet Il megglior fabbro Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Thomas Location: Hickory, NC Posts: 8,420 Trading: (2)	Re: Non-thermoelectric cooler is it ok? Bump for le Quebeceur.

08-18-2009, 05:22 PM	#8
pgagnon Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Non-thermoelectric cooler is it ok? mine is a real fridge though with a freezer in it. wont it be too cold if i let it works. or should i just let it non plugged? and tks for the bump