Hi Chicken how are ya...........your post caused me to google search images curing barns. Found a very good PDF file ref. flue curing (
see link below) and many pics of barns.
I would recommend reading it for those new and are going to flue cure. The first 1st page gives a sort of step by step instruction.
Yet another chart - simple easy to follow.
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View attachment 17941 Just tossing this out - My chamber is about 4feet x 4feet by 5 1/2 feet high (inside) with one small electric griddle I can maintain a 300F temperature it takes (empty) about
an hour to get there. Full of tobacco I can reach and hold 120F in 1 hour 20 minutes.
When I build my curing shed I'll have two electric outlets. These outlets will be controlled by means of a temperature PID. I will have two griddles their temperature control knobs will be turned to high and left there.
They in turn will be plugged into the outlets. The outlets will be energized or de-energized by the PID as it draws temperature readings from it's censor. The censor will be located about one foot center above the tobacco.
I push the used of griddles because I know through the use of one that they use little power in a well sealed / insulated environment and it is dry heat. I will also have a small fan on the floor to move the heated air
around below the tobacco leaves keeping heat even below them. The fan will turn on when the griddles turn on. I will also use a cheap second temperature PID with a second censor to counter check the first control
PID.
How a PID control works- it has on it's back side connection screws. Two or more for censor/s, two or more for power out (low voltage usually) and two for normal voltage AC or DC in. It may have more for other things.
The voltage out usually goes to an SSR relay the SSR relay will have four connection screws, one side low voltage connected to the PID, and two for normal AC / DC voltage this voltage would go to what it is
you want to turn on and off (automated). The SSR is a switch of sorts. A PID can cost as little as $15 or as much as $hundreds. An SSR can cost a few dollars or as much as $45. Thermal censors can cost as little as
$2.50 and up. Wire length and type will dictated cost at this link you can find many K type Thermal Couple Censors, extension wire, plastic couplers (connectors) thermometers etc.. Get one for air temp. not liquid.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=thermocouple+k&_pgn=4&_skc=150&rt=nc
PID temperature link
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...RS0&_nkw=temperature+controller+110v&_sacat=0
SSR relays link
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...A0.H0.XSSR+relay.TRS0&_nkw=SSR+relay&_sacat=0
Dave when you build your shed make a photo log let us see what you have done and how it works out for you...please.
The PDF File
https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/436/436-048/PDF_61-64CuringTobacco.pdf
Brent