Idea Curing Box

[Lakota]

I used this 110v one last year and it worked well for me and the price is good, they have 12v and 220 v.

http://www.buyincoins.com/new_en/pages/search--temperature+controller----1.html Russ

 

[marksctm]

I used this 110v one last year and it worked well for me and the price is good, they have 12v and 220 v.

http://www.buyincoins.com/new_en/pages/search--temperature+controller----1.html Russ

I almost bought one, but they only display Celsius from what read.

 

[AmaxB]

Ok guys bout the temp control I am sure there are other devices out there that will work other than the one I am going to use. I'll be using a Eurotherm Programmable Controller (I'll add links to 2 sites below). It will do what is needed to control the temps without baby sitting they are designed for this kind of job. When I complete the chamber 100% I'll make a vid to show the level of control on the websites the cost is a base cost and you add modules for more function if you need it such as pc communication with choice of method, multiple thermal couple input, cooling, and so on.

About the need for this Box and type, I have never worked with tobacco so am ignorant. Over the last 45 plus days I have been reading a lot (can't replace hands on) and got a basic understanding. I got a bale of Burley (is very dry) and want to bring the leaf back in order to shred that started the idea for a chamber of sorts to maybe work the whole bale but controlled. Than decided to grow a bit well ok another use for a chamber.
The reality is work is slow and I am in need of a project so why not this, if it can be multipurpose great I have helped myself, got some satisfaction from the doing, and maybe helped others to boot.

Info. on the controller I will be using http://www.eurothermcontrollers.com/eurotherm-2416-temperature-controller-programmer/

The family of controllers http://www.eurotherm.com/products/controllers/

You will see iTools software I'll be using it depending on what I want to do is located bout half way down the page "family of controllers"

A short how to vid with my model
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eERyBovb7d8

 

[Knucklehead]

It sounds like you're getting it figured out. Alot of great info here. It's nice to have simultainious builds going on to compare methods to achieve the same goals. Budget vs all out. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Lakota]

I think most controllers from Europe will be Celsius, I have mine set Low=44c (111f) and High=53c (127f). Russ

 

[AmaxB]

Yes Sir AlabamaKnuckles the control I will be using kinda kills the budget minded but all else will be with in reason. It is great to have multiple builds and methods gives DIY guys things to draw from. There are lots of controls can be got for around $30 but none I have ever seen that will allow for ramp of x temp over x time without doing it manually. I have this controller so will use it and address the automated ramping with it.
This will be a pretty cool project if all works out. Well am going to Lowe's get some stuff so am starting the build today ( kinda chomping at the bit I am ). Am going to change size to 3' x3' x 5' interior - will reduce cost, cutting of material, and power used to heat taking Leverheads advice on this - so it should end up about 45 cubic feet inside. I'll use racks of some kind with hooks or clips for the leaf and 2 levels small leaf on top large on bottom.

 

[Knucklehead]

If you reduce the size you will increase the time it takes to flue cure all the leaf for your new FTT buddies like me. You can charge a percentage and never have to grow flue cure varieties. Hint hint Bring back the old sharecropper deal.

 

[AmaxB]

I think most controllers from Europe will be Celsius, I have mine set Low=44c (111f) and High=53c (127f). Russ

Hi Lakota this can can be set for "C" or "F" what size is your chamber? Thanks for the temp input

 

[AmaxB]

If you reduce the size you will increase the time it takes to flue cure all the leaf for your new FTT buddies like me. You can charge a percentage and never have to grow flue cure varieties. Hint hint Bring back the old sharecropper deal.

I don't understand how it will increase the time - oh wait a minute light came on "crowding" ?

 

[Knucklehead]

Yeah, we send you our leaf to flue cure and you get a percentage of the leaf you cure for us, or charge a fee. It's hard if not impossible to find a place to flue cure smaller amounts like for home growers. I've never heard of such a place. It could be part of your business. I would prefer to do that instead of building my own chamber.
One season would probably pay back your investment. After that it's profit.

 

[Lakota]

AmaxB my kiln is a regular fridge, 17cubic feet? I think the company makes a model in Fahrenheit model (WH7016F). I have not been able to locate one. In Canada we are all Celsius and kilometers, so I never looked that hard.

 

[leverhead]

I don't understand how it will increase the time - oh wait a minute light came on "crowding" ?

No, you misread what he posted. He's telling you everybody's going to tap on you for their flue-cured. You can crowd it as much as you want, as long as you can get sufficient air through the leaf. It will still take from five to seven days. When I get home, I need to look into that link to your temperature controller. It sounds interesting.

 

[AmaxB]

Gotcha Leverhead I think I got one tap already - is an idea Mr. AlabamaKnucklehead but I have yet to build it, dry run it, and than could think about this. Question in my mind would be could it be practical? Would love to have some to experiment with but think I will need to wait till I grow it. Going to be a long summer! After looking at the link Leverhead if you think you want one let me know I could help you with the controller build.

Went shopping! Lord blew my budget to hell already the 2" Foam Board was $10 more a piece than I remembered got 5 board so that was 50 bucks right there. Than I thought wheels would be nice so I got some of those the steel kind was something like $40 so I'm in for $350 (includes door materials, hardware, and such) but still need to pick up 4 sheets of ply at $18 a sheet and duct material. I'll be under $500 not counting control and heat emitters. OOOPS forgot the fan I bought last night must add $95 for it.
As I am going along I am noting every thing and creating drawings so when I am done with the build I will upload cost, materials list, and how-to-do. Doing all my cutting outside so am doing the build in module design because I will need to get it down to my basement so if I put it together outside that won't happen.
Ready to start cutting
.

 

[leverhead]

My budget went out the window early last year, that's why the others and I were urging caution. A few weeks of rethinking can save some money and rework down the road. I still think putting it in the basement is a bad idea, we'll have to agree to disagree on that. The smell that this process makes will permeate everything. It didn't bother me, I thought it smelled kind of like dried fruit. Not everybody may want to live with that for a couple of months.

Sometime soon you need to start reading up and getting your head wrapped around growing leaf to put in this. That's the part where I made some of my biggest mistakes, I'm going to be trying real hard not to make them again this year.

Good luck with your build and be sure to post some pictures.

I don't think it will be very practical to bring in leaf from another area to put in this.

 

[BarG]

It's going to be interesting to read this thread from start to finish. I have been intentionaly avoiding as it has progressed so fast. I think alot of it may be over my head on the technical or needs for me, but I want to leave no post un read. I have been saving it along with Dr. Bobs cureing chamber which has progressed so much. Looking forward to it soon.

 

[AmaxB]

Oh ya the smell ===== won't bother me none and my wife well she can't smell much of anything! But if it is to much and does not leak out of the box I could put it through a water filter. You brought up a good point bout fire Leverhead I think this box will be ok that tile board will not burn at these temps and the heat box will be guarded double walled. You'll see. BarG hello Sir nice to meet you.
Bout the growing ya I got a bit to read up on guess I got a little time yet. I did start to read this topic last night there is a lot of info on line and right here. Can PDF files be uploaded to the forum here?

I'll agree with ya on not agreeing lol

 

[AmaxB]

Ok got a little progress made view a few build pics also see Venting Idea. Note the expelled air going into the bucket and the part air inlet.
Leverheads point on smell - Do you think the water bucket would help this? Do you think a filter would also be needed? "AIR INLET" I could put a fan here to force air in but do you think it would be needed?
Was up late last night till 3 reading and think this system may work if to much CFM is not lost. If there is to much loss I may need to add a cheapo fan in the event the chamber is packed.
.

.
Also huge cut on insulating cost got me back on budget for the basic chamber & air system is very close to budget including the fan.
Will order Wet / Dry bulb tonight leads to one more question. Location of the wet / dry bulb I am thinking near center - top - lower rack what do you guys think?
Am considering 12V bright LEDS inside and a smallish window to peak through.

 

[leverhead]

That smell!? I didn't try, but I don't think a water trap will get it. You might try running what ever you vent, to outside through a dryer hose. A fan at the inlet won't be needed as long as it's on the low pressure (inlet) side of the fan/blower. This link goes to a post about wet bulb thermometers. http://fairtradetobacco.com/showthread.php?172-Make-a-wet-bulb-thermometer

Here's what I used, it doesn't hold enough water though for the whole run. I think I can do better this year.

 

[AmaxB]

Is this what you had in mind Leverhead...I have two locations for the expelled air to vent outside one would be through not in use chimney the other would be old pipe used to fill oil tank that was removed but section of pipe is still there but sealed could remove seal and use it. Problem would be maybe thirty feet of duct to get to it. Chimney would be about 15 feet.
I think the inlet valve on the draw side of the fan is a great idea but would need to change the valve to an all metal or run chamber at cooler temps, but in re-thinking things exceeding 180 -190F may not be needed.
Priced wood stove gasket 6' at about $10 I will need roughly 20'
.

 

[johnlee1933]

Remember this is ducting so the "valves" could be as simple as blast gates. Simple to install, use and set and they're relatively cheap. -·-