Climate controlled grow fridge

[Merlowe111]

Hello everyone! Im about to start an ambitious Build for a grow box, I'd love to hear if anyone has any input on its feasibility or any modifications that could improve it! For a while I used to grow in a grow tent, it served its purpose but was painfully obvious what it was, and annoyingly loud with the exhaust fans. I had to make sure in-laws didnt see it, over all just very stressfull. I've seen online companies trying to sell these self contained grow units that cost thousands. I want to attempt to convert a working refrigerator into a sealed, climate controlled grow environment. Full automation isnt necessary, but I want to make sure temp, light timing, co2 ppm and humidity are controlled and monitored constantly. My plan is to change the thermostat to something like the stc-1000 controller. Use a humidifier/dehumidifier as necessary and control it with some type of humidistat. Co2 will be monitored and controlled by some type of controller as well, of course. My plan is to cut an opening in the top of the fridge, install some type of transparent barrier such as a double pane window glass and seal it all in. Keeping the lighting isolated from the grow space. I was going to use an led light like the mars hydro ts1000 and place it externally on top of the fridge in the hole I created so it can shine through the glass while passively cooling outside the control space. Hopefully the double pane glass reduces the heat transfer to a level the fridge can easily remove without significant reduction in light penetration. I plan on keeping the light in a fixed position against the glass and raising/lowering my grow platform to maintain optimal canopy height. I want to include a wifi enabled camera to monitor plant conditions remotely from my phone without opening the grow space unnecessarily venting my co2. I also plan on installing some type of cabinet lock to keep the reeferator safe from inadvertent intrusion. I hope to have this look like a typical anassuming fridge. And if anyone asks why its locked perhaps just play it off as a homebrew enthusiast with some type of light sensitive fermentation process going on that it cant be opened. In the future , if all things perform optimally, I hope to further the automation process using ardruinos and possibly actively monitor the ph and ppm of my hydroponic root environment as well.
So.....thoughts? Feasibility? I know it may seem like I'm overcomplicating it but I absolutely want stealth without the noise of air cooling and exhausting. I'm willing to take some extra steps to ensure that this thing is basically a fridge to anyone who passes by it.

 

[Frank Nitty]

Hello everyone! Im about to start an ambitious Build for a grow box, I'd love to hear if anyone has any input on its feasibility or any modifications that could improve it! For a while I used to grow in a grow tent, it served its purpose but was painfully obvious what it was, and annoyingly loud with the exhaust fans. I had to make sure in-laws didnt see it, over all just very stressfull. I've seen online companies trying to sell these self contained grow units that cost thousands. I want to attempt to convert a working refrigerator into a sealed, climate controlled grow environment. Full automation isnt necessary, but I want to make sure temp, light timing, co2 ppm and humidity are controlled and monitored constantly. My plan is to change the thermostat to something like the stc-1000 controller. Use a humidifier/dehumidifier as necessary and control it with some type of humidistat. Co2 will be monitored and controlled by some type of controller as well, of course. My plan is to cut an opening in the top of the fridge, install some type of transparent barrier such as a double pane window glass and seal it all in. Keeping the lighting isolated from the grow space. I was going to use an led light like the mars hydro ts1000 and place it externally on top of the fridge in the hole I created so it can shine through the glass while passively cooling outside the control space. Hopefully the double pane glass reduces the heat transfer to a level the fridge can easily remove without significant reduction in light penetration. I plan on keeping the light in a fixed position against the glass and raising/lowering my grow platform to maintain optimal canopy height. I want to include a wifi enabled camera to monitor plant conditions remotely from my phone without opening the grow space unnecessarily venting my co2. I also plan on installing some type of cabinet lock to keep the reeferator safe from inadvertent intrusion. I hope to have this look like a typical anassuming fridge. And if anyone asks why its locked perhaps just play it off as a homebrew enthusiast with some type of light sensitive fermentation process going on that it cant be opened. In the future , if all things perform optimally, I hope to further the automation process using ardruinos and possibly actively monitor the ph and ppm of my hydroponic root environment as well.
So.....thoughts? Feasibility? I know it may seem like I'm overcomplicating it but I absolutely want stealth without the noise of air cooling and exhausting. I'm willing to take some extra steps to ensure that this thing is basically a fridge to anyone who passes by it.

Sounds like you have everything figured out!!! Tag me in for the ride!!!

 

[Merlowe111]

Sounds like you have everything figured out!!! Tag me in for the ride!!!

Thank you! I plan on prototyping within the next couple weeks as parts come in the mail and I get time to fabricate others

 

[Mitchician]

Mate I'm all for stealth grows and I admire your ingenuity, but that does sound like way too much work and I would never have the patience to go through all that. Good luck though you sound like you know what you're getting yourself in for and if you stick with it to the end I'm sure it will be very a impressive piece of kit. I look forward to seeing it's completion.

 

[Boatguy]

I converted a mini wine fridge a few years back. It did the job, but was a lot of work.
Could have built a sealed closet sized space and decked it out with half the labor hours.
I think there are a few other fridge conversions besides mine kicking around riu if you do some digging.

 

[Merlowe111]

Mate I'm all for stealth grows and I admire your ingenuity, but that does sound like way too much work and I would never have the patience to go through all that. Good luck though you sound like you know what you're getting yourself in for and if you stick with it to the end I'm sure it will be very a impressive piece of kit. I look forward to seeing it's completion.

yeah it will definitely be alot of work. But these types of challenges are what I really enjoy. Luckily it wont be that expensive since I already have the lights, fridges can be had for free or nearly free, and since I used to homebrew, I already have co2 tanks and alot of temperature and humidity type controllers kicking around. The co2 controller will be the biggest setback, they seem pricey anywhere I look.lol
But I will take a bunch of pics of the process and document the prototypes development. I'll be sure to update whether it's a success or not!

 

[Merlowe111]

I converted a mini wine fridge a few years back. It did the job, but was a lot of work.
Could have built a sealed closet sized space and decked it out with half the labor hours.
I think there are a few other fridge conversions besides mine kicking around riu if you do some digging.

I've seen many fridge builds however they all seem to use fridges that arent cooling. My plans success really relies on the fridges ability to cool.
I actually found a members post from this site claiming he had done it successfully , but the thread was years old. I reached out to the person but it seems they've been inactive for years. would have loved to pick their brain I'm sure they had solved many of the problems I'm about to encounter! Hahah

 

[Boatguy]

I've seen many fridge builds however they all seem to use fridges that arent cooling. My plans success really relies on the fridges ability to cool.
I actually found a members post from this site claiming he had done it successfully , but the thread was years old. I reached out to the person but it seems they've been inactive for years. would have loved to pick their brain I'm sure they had solved many of the problems I'm about to encounter! Hahah

The main problem is that a fridge doesnt have the cooling to counter the heat from the lights, fans etc.
Its just not built to do that kind of a job.
The best one i have seen used the freezer section for a air cooled light so heat buildup in the main section was kept to a minimum. The intake and exhaust operated like any normal tent grow. It was very stealth visually.

 

[Merlowe111]

The main problem is that a fridge doesnt have the cooling to counter the heat from the lights, fans etc.
Its just not built to do that kind of a job.
The best one i have seen used the freezer section for a air cooled light so heat buildup in the main section was kept to a minimum. The intake and exhaust operated like any normal tent grow. It was very stealth visually.

Yeah you are right for sure! heat is certainly going to be my main enemy in this build. However I'm hoping that since my light is kept external from the fridge altogether, I can keep the heat under control with the exception of any infrared and ultraviolet radiation. I figured if the glass door refrigerators and vending machines can stay cool, being lit up and sometimes in sunlight then fingers crossed this will work!

 

[Busternutt]

The main problem is that a fridge doesnt have the cooling to counter the heat from the lights, fans etc.
Its just not built to do that kind of a job.
The best one i have seen used the freezer section for a air cooled light so heat buildup in the main section was kept to a minimum. The intake and exhaust operated like any normal tent grow. It was very stealth visually.

I have a small stealth grow, mostly "automated". I run an aquarium chiller to chill a reservoir of water then pump that water through a PC cooling radiator that is sandwiched between two fans at the intake. In the same cabinet, I have the LED lights, an oscillating fan, a humidifier and a de-humidifier. Today's temp was 36*C and inside the cab was 31*, so works pretty well.

 

[Merlowe111]

Started breaking it down and roughing in the thermostat just to make sure it all functions and can regulate where I want.

 

[Merlowe111]

Passive cooling, will be cutting a hole in the top and mounting this through so heat can dissipate into the outside air.

This side will be resting on a glass pane that's sealed into the hole, allowing the light to pass but keeping the unit outside the cooling space

 

[Merlowe111]

So far, bought the fridge off craigslist for 50$ it was broken.
Fixed it for free since it just needed some wiring replaced. Now runs great.
Stripped off all the parts like ice machine, ice bin, dampers, fans thermostats,shelves, ect. Listed them all on ebay for used parts. Made 75 dollars so far and still have things to sell.

 

[Mitchician]

I like your style. The fridge has already paid for itself and started paying off the light lol

 

[Merlowe111]

I like your style. The fridge has already paid for itself and started paying off the light lol

Thanks! Trying to stay as thrifty as possible, at least until I get a proof of concept

 

[DaFreak]

Fish tank next to grow closet used to work for me. People accept excuses for noise if they can see it.

 

[Merlowe111]

Fish tank next to grow closet used to work for me. People accept excuses for noise if they can see it.

That's true

 

[Merlowe111]

Minor setback, thought the top was clear and all the wiring ran along the back. Wasnt the case. Cut clean through the entire harness in 2 places. Now I get to rewire the entire harness.

 

[Mitchician]

Oh no!
Better have a cuppa and a
But not too many or you might go to

 

[Merlowe111]

Re wired the harnesses. Light is extremely roughed in. Emphasis on rough. With lights on, no glass and air gaps around the light, the reeferator has pulled down to the specified temp and held it for over an hour without cycling. Confident that this will work, and even more efficiently after its properly sealed and glassed.