Idea Curing Box

[AmaxB]

I was out got the Tile Board for testing.......... Bout Fan DrBob I may have one while I was out I got one to test /check am testing the tile board now have had it in the oven now at over 300F for 1 hour no change to test piece for heat. Put a second piece in water for 5 minutes surface changed color but was dry inside.

Heat Testing
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After Water test see area marked in red this is where I removed surface layer.
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I think this material will be good for interior liner but need to do one more test "boiling water"

 

[AmaxB]

The cheap oven thermometer is catching up to my TC on the controller it is set at 225C

 

[AmaxB]

The test on Tile backer failed in boiling water for ten minutes it absorbed the water but remained ridged and hard I will use the tile board I think but after a run I may condition it.
Now to look at this fan I got today.

 

[johnlee1933]

The test on Tile backer failed in boiling water for ten minutes it absorbed the water but remained ridged and hard I will use the tile board I think but after a run I may condition it.
Now to look at this fan I got today.

I think you will do well with the cement board. I used it for tiling jobs for years (I ran a handyman business for 14 years) without a problem. My son had a problem with rotting soffits. He replaced them with cement board and the problem is solved. In that application they take repeated dampness and temps from -20 to + 110°F for 4 years now without a sign of failure. -·-

 

[AmaxB]

Yes sir johnlee1933 it is good stuff I will be using the stuff I tested is not the cement board but a cousin pics above and a link to it a page back. While I was out I priced materials puts me at about 325.00 but added in 125.00 for the not thought of so a real budget comes out to 450.00 the tobacco area will be bout 60 cubic feet plus minus a couple.
You fellas are going to laugh but I tested Xbox 360 fans took em to 175C and no melt I got a box full of these and they will move some air plus they are 12volt. A simple pot can control em for speed bought a portable heater this morning it's fan is on the heat side of the element had it at 150F but will put it in the oven and check more if good I may use it at the top of the heat shaft. The RH I don't think will be a problem for them but will find out.

 

[AmaxB]

This is where I am going to put my 1st grow
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[BigBonner]

AmaxB

Looks like a good piece of ground . Now talk your neighbor into using his barn . Trade some tobacco in return .

 

[AmaxB]

Will start build later this week with luck and time all prior drawings posted are of no account. This is the first of 3 Views (Side, Top, End, & Door Detail) will add wiring later.
Flew Cure Box - Side View
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[leverhead]

Will start build later this week....

Not to be a spoil sport, but you might let it gel a bit.

 

[DrBob]

Not to be a spoil sport, but you might let it gel a bit.

I agree with Leverhead, let er gel a while

 

[LeftyRighty]

I'll 3rd that suggestion - let it sit a while.

I had my freezer box flue-curing chamber all planned and sketched out, and was ready to start drilling holes. Then got got buzy on something else, and then got me thinking about what I was doing.
Decided to do the math on my planned chamber - like figure out realistic leaf density, flow rates, lbs of water vapor per cu ft of air, heat losses & Btu/h needed, gravity ventilation flow, leaf moisture evaporation, etc. etc. Been crunching numbers off and on for 2 weeks now, and learning a lot. One of these days I'll finish, and post results, unless I figure out it don't work. Am learning a lot, including mistakes/corrections. Been a good exercise, and should make for a better flue-curing chamber. But I am glad I hesitated.
Give it time - you may get a better idea.

 

[AmaxB]

OK I have time but what do you see that is wrong or won't work out?

 

[Knucklehead]

Will a bottom drain be needed?

 

[leverhead]

OK I have time but what do you see that is wrong or won't work out?

I don't see anything really wrong, but I know as well as anybody the difference between a line drawing and a detail drawing. This will be a substantial investment that will last for years. When your not using it for flue-curing, it will make a great kiln for aging other leaf. You've got the overall package pretty well figured out, now you can start working out the details from the inside out. Off the rack parts are usually cheaper than making everything from scratch, but what parts work well together and is there a better way to do something? I've got a drum set up that doesn't get much use and Ive got a fridge that I want to make changes to. It all costs money, planing now can help keep you on budget without too many leftover parts.

 

[leverhead]

Will a bottom drain be needed?

I don't see why.

 

[DrBob]

I have been planning my flue curing chamber for 6 weeks now, many revisions to the original drawings have been made. I have a much different design now. Input from this forum has been a great asset and a lot of money has been saved. At this time I have almost all the parts in the shop and hopefully will have the chamber built mechanicaly before march 1. As soon as I have it built to that point I will post photo's of what I have done. After that I will work on the controller issues.
Patience is a virtue. Wait and see what I have done and we can all learn from my mistakes. Hopefully you can save some money and time.

 

[AmaxB]

You guys are GREAT and I am good at taking advice have spent my day re-thinking the whole thing and I think I got a better plan. One that most people could do including the use of an old fridge / freezer.
Found a good dual squirrel cage for $50.00 need to do a little mod to it but it will work HR or temp no problem. Link to the blower http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=16-1403&catname=electric
....new plan box cost $392 air system $150
PICS.

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Can put a speed control on the blower motor (i think) if I make 2 draw points on top of the box there will be plenty of draft.
So $550 or less for the box and it could be used for Kiln, Flue Cure, or to bring dry tobacco back to case / order. Will have easy access and a drain could be made in the bottom with out much trouble.
What do you guys think of this one?

 

[Knucklehead]

Unrelated, what program are you using for your drawings? Nice job.

Lowe's sells a bathroom poop fan with built in heater. It may be worth taking a look at. Built to handle heat and humidity.

 

[AmaxB]

Sorry guys the box is 4' x 4' x 6' and the door covers 3' x6' of the front drawing #2 shows basic framing

 

[AmaxB]

AlabamaKnucklehead the program I am using is called Xara Designer ProX. About the poop room fan I figure if I had 96 cubic feet to circulate the air 100% over 5 minutes I would need a min of 20 CFM that fan I am sure has it. But would it hold up 190F for a day most of the time to cure would not be at this kind of temp but some time might. Most of the fans I looked at today with motors with in the fan enclosure were rated between 104F and 120F max. A few had RH rating of around 90%. I've not cured anything yet so my thought is from reading only.