Dr. Bob's multi purpose curing chamber in planning

[DrBob]

yeah, DrBob/leverhead.....I'm thinking of omitting the crockpot, as leaf moisture may be sufficient if RH can be maintained through recycling exhaust. Going to a 'hot-box' outside the chamber, and ducting mixed air into the chamber. This hot-box will be a seperate chamber, drawing air and heating with bulbs and/or crockpot, then mixed with exhaust and ducted to the flue-curing freezer box. Keeping the source of air/moisture/heat outside the flue-curing chamber should make it easier to control temp/RH.
Also going to use squirrel-cage type fan for duct flow, as I'm learning the in-line duct-fans can't take temps above 140°F.

Lefty you are a genious!
After a long consideration a hot box is meybe a practical approach. Putting the heater in the chamber is not a good idea for flue curing.
#1 any heater in the chamber takes up room decreasing the amount of tobacco that can be cured.
#2 in the final stages of drying the hot elements in the heater could create a fire hazard.
I am now changing my approach and lean more to a duct heater hot box
Drbob

 

[DrBob]

This is a photo of the blower I have purchased for the flue curing chamber It was designed for a wood pellet stove and maxes out at 130 cfm The electric burner is what I am currently planning for the heat source it is a 6" element and will slip into a 8" round duct in the recirculation loop. The element is rated 1375 watts @ 240 volts It can be wired 120 volts for about 685 watts. (well that is the plan so far)

 

[johnlee1933]

The electric burner is what I am currently planning for the heat source it is a 6" element and will slip into a 8" round duct in the recirculation loop. The element is rated 1375 watts @ 240 volts It can be wired 120 volts for about 685 watts. (well that is the plan so far)

That comes out to be ~6 amps. Make sure the contacts in your controller can handle that current. -- J

 

[DrBob]

Thanks a lot johnlee!
I took another look at the ranco etc 111000 and it is 16 amps max normally open and 5.8 amps normally closed. It is looking like a relay is in order. You just saved me a potential problem. An off the shelf furnace fan center should do the trick. no sense ruining a good thermostat

Bob

 

[marksctm]

Thanks a lot johnlee!
I took another look at the ranco etc 111000 and it is 16 amps max normally open and 5.8 amps normally closed. It is looking like a relay is in order. You just saved me a potential problem. An off the shelf furnace fan center should do the trick. no sense ruining a good thermostat

Bob

I have been reading every post in this thread from the start and have learned so much, it's like a book or a movie where you can't wait to see whats next.
So much input and so many ideas from members in such a short amount of time is going to eliminate a lot of the trial and error down the road that will save time and money.
But most of all, It's going to make traditional flue curing within reach of the home grower.

Sure appreciate the play by play DrBob.

 

[darren1979]

I have been reading every post in this thread from the start and have learned so much, it's like a book or a movie where you can't wait to see whats next.
So much input and so many ideas from members in such a short amount of time is going to eliminate a lot of the trial and error down the road that will save time and money.
But most of all, It's going to make traditional flue curing within reach of the home grower.

Sure appreciate the play by play DrBob.

I couldnt of said it better chris, ive been following this thread like a hawk. Im holding off building my kiln until the guys with a higher iq than me iron out the little things then use my set up as an flue/kiln combo.

Keep up the good work guys.

 

[johnlee1933]

Thanks a lot johnlee!
I took another look at the ranco etc 111000 and it is 16 amps max normally open and 5.8 amps normally closed. It is looking like a relay is in order. You just saved me a potential problem. An off the shelf furnace fan center should do the trick. no sense ruining a good thermostat

Bob

Since you will be using the N.O. contacts you should be good as is but relays are so cheap on the used market that is the way I'd go. -- J

 

[BigBonner]

I don't have a kiln . I just pick out some two year old burley and a handfull of bright leaf and shredd it up and puff away . No kiln needed .

 

[johnlee1933]

I don't have a kiln . I just pick out some two year old burley and a handfull of bright leaf and shredd it up and puff away . No kiln needed .

You're a lucky devil. Many of us don't have that luxury. -- J

 

[DrBob]

I have a lot of tricks in my bag of tricks!

 

[DrBob]

The next parts I need to aquire are hi limit switch, sail switch , a humidistat, rheostat, power relay and a thermostat. It is looking that I can't get it done for less than $100.00 meybe $200.00

 

[darren1979]

Looks like your going full guns DrBob. Out of intrest what are the switches used for? ive never heard of them before

 

[DrBob]

a sail switch detects airflow in ductwork to prevent the heater element from running without airflow. The high limit switch will shut off power to the heating element in case of dangerous over temp situations. The power relay is needed because the amperage will exceed the limits of the thermostat.

 

[leverhead]

The next parts I need to aquire are hi limit switch, sail switch , a humidistat, rheostat, power relay and a thermostat. It is looking that I can't get it done for less than $100.00 meybe $200.00

I went over budget!

 

[DrBob]

In the original crock pot heated ferment curing chamber I did not see the need for safety controls due to the lower power of the crockpot would not create a dangerous situation. I should have used a UPPER water heater thermostat because they have a high temp limit that would have cut the power off in the event of temperatures exceeding 190 degrees f.
Flue curing will require a lot more power and the potential for fire is much greater.

 

[LeftyRighty]

Well, I budgeted $300, and am still thinking it will take every bit of it. It's not so much the big ticket items (Ranco ETC controller, duct or squirrel cage fan, crockpot/heat coil), but all the miscellaneous duct/dampers, wiring, switches, thermostat, seal/caulk, etc., that add up quickly.

 

[DrBob]

$200 aint what it used to be

 

[leverhead]

$200 aint what it used to be

Last year!

 

[johnlee1933]

Yeah but look at the bright side. My social security went up a whole 1.7%. P.S. My property value went down 30% and taxes on same went up 5.4%.

 

[leverhead]

How do you see a bright side?