I've got a lot of great info from your project post. Thanks a lot for posting all the details.
I have been toying with the idea of the fridge grow for a couple years now (actually thought it was my idea until I saw it's been done). My plan is a little different:
Freezer on bottom with cooling system intact;
A couple 315w cmh on top of fridge with reflectors from cycloptics. THis way the lamps will not take up valuable space inside the fridge and will not heat up the interior. Plan is to separate the lamp from the fridge interior with a 2" air gap & tempered glass (might blow air through the gap if necessary. The lamps are dimmable down to 50% via 1-10 volt control signal;
Rather than gutting the compressor I plan to leave it intact and use it to cool the res and interior so the system can be completely sealed with CO2 enrichment. A ventilation system will be installed too so the air can be exchanged if the temp gets too high and will exchange the air every "night" or at any other interval;
Light timing & dimming, climate control/ventilation, CO2, irrigation will all be controlled via a Siemens LOGO PLC with webserver so that everything can be controlled from a PC or tablet (no manual setting of timers, thermostats or anything). The only thing that I will not automate is pH and nutrient level although that could be easily implemented. An enclosure will be mounted on the side of the fridge where all of the electrical/control equipment will be installed.
My plan is for the refrigeration system to keep the interior cool. I hope that the heat from the lamps can be isolated enough to allow the refrigeration system to keep the system cool.
Again, I appreciate all of your info and pics. The way you flipped the fridge over to make due with a top freezer was ingenious! And I especially like your home-brew carbon filter.
https://www.cycloptics.com/sites/default/files/ALB_retrofit_brochure.pdf
This would be a nice fridge to use if you could find one on the curb!
I have been toying with the idea of the fridge grow for a couple years now (actually thought it was my idea until I saw it's been done). My plan is a little different:
Freezer on bottom with cooling system intact;
A couple 315w cmh on top of fridge with reflectors from cycloptics. THis way the lamps will not take up valuable space inside the fridge and will not heat up the interior. Plan is to separate the lamp from the fridge interior with a 2" air gap & tempered glass (might blow air through the gap if necessary. The lamps are dimmable down to 50% via 1-10 volt control signal;
Rather than gutting the compressor I plan to leave it intact and use it to cool the res and interior so the system can be completely sealed with CO2 enrichment. A ventilation system will be installed too so the air can be exchanged if the temp gets too high and will exchange the air every "night" or at any other interval;
Light timing & dimming, climate control/ventilation, CO2, irrigation will all be controlled via a Siemens LOGO PLC with webserver so that everything can be controlled from a PC or tablet (no manual setting of timers, thermostats or anything). The only thing that I will not automate is pH and nutrient level although that could be easily implemented. An enclosure will be mounted on the side of the fridge where all of the electrical/control equipment will be installed.
My plan is for the refrigeration system to keep the interior cool. I hope that the heat from the lamps can be isolated enough to allow the refrigeration system to keep the system cool.
Again, I appreciate all of your info and pics. The way you flipped the fridge over to make due with a top freezer was ingenious! And I especially like your home-brew carbon filter.
https://www.cycloptics.com/sites/default/files/ALB_retrofit_brochure.pdf
This would be a nice fridge to use if you could find one on the curb!
