Wineador Build Questions

[JCubed]

Less than 3 months ago, it was cooler out, I didn't smoke often, and I thought my China-made 150-ct humidor would never run out of room.

Now, thanks to you guys, I smoke 5+ per week, I want to try new/better sticks, rest new purchases, and experiment with aging. I need more humidor room. And I want it to be in a wineador (something displayable in an office or den).

I just have a few questions that I either I have not seen in the many wineador build posts, or I wasn't clear on the solution. Any help you guys could give me would be awesome.

ETC or no ETC (Electronic Temperature Control)? Going with a 28-bottle thermoelectric model. Koldfront and Avanti just have the 2 or 3 settings, while the Vinotemps and NewAirs have built in controls/sensors. How reliable are these? I don't mind getting a non-auto model and installing a pre-wired ETC if it means higher efficiency and better accuracy.

HF beads or electronic humidification? I know beads are awesome. Just wondering if an Oasis or something similar would be even more hands-off (I know it's more expensive). Plus, it would save on some space. I've read wineadors seal TOO well, and an Oasis would be overkill. Maybe a combo of the two?

Would any calibrate-able hygro or weatherstation work? I can't seem to find it now, but someone somewhere mentioned that any non-NIST-certified hygro is gonna be inaccurate.

Fans...? I'm not handy by any means, so I would have trouble with splicing and all that. Are fans necessary? Would the main fan in the middle be enough? Are they difficult for a non-handy person to install/get power to?

Are there condensation issues? Is this just caused by unstable humidification? What's the solution?

Thanks again!

 

[StogieNinja]

ETC or no ETC (Electronic Temperature Control)? Going with a 28-bottle thermoelectric model. Koldfront and Avanti just have the 2 or 3 settings, while the Vinotemps and NewAirs have built in controls/sensors. How reliable are these? I don't mind getting a non-auto model and installing a pre-wired ETC if it means higher efficiency and better accuracy.

ETC. Much better control than anything onboard a standard unit. Will also prolong the life of the cooler if you're setting the time delay on it. In addition, most remember your settings so in the event of a power outage, you're back to where you were, whereas the onboard controls almost all reset to the lowest setting... Vinotemp and NewAir do for sure.

HF beads or electronic humidification? I know beads are awesome. Just wondering if an Oasis or something similar would be even more hands-off (I know it's more expensive). Plus, it would save on some space. I've read wineadors seal TOO well, and an Oasis would be overkill. Maybe a combo of the two?

Beads or KL. Oasis in a unit that small is unnecessary.

Would any calibrate-able hygro or weatherstation work? I can't seem to find it now, but someone somewhere mentioned that any non-NIST-certified hygro is gonna be inaccurate.

Yes, just make sure it's a reputable manufacturer.

Fans...? I'm not handy by any means, so I would have trouble with splicing and all that. Are fans necessary? Would the main fan in the middle be enough? Are they difficult for a non-handy person to install/get power to?

Run the cord through the drainhole if you want an extra fan. Fans are a nice add to help circulate air, and rH as it settles. I don't have them in mine, but wish I did.

Are there condensation issues? Is this just caused by unstable humidification? What's the solution?

That answer depends on the differential in temp, which is also the cause. At my house, I never have any condensation in my wineadors, but if your room gets really warm, you'll get it. The solution is to ensure the temp differential is as low as possible. In other words, if your room is 72 and your unit is at 68, you'll be fine, but don't expect good results if you're keeping your 65* wineador in a 95* garage or something.

Thanks again!

answers in red...

 

[Senor Perfecto]

I had many similar questions.

Read the sage answers brothers provided here:

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/73846-Emergency-wineador-purchase

Newair 281E, by the way. Build is still in progress.

 

[herfdog]

I cannot help, but I am following this thread, as I'll be in your situation in 3 months

 

[SurpriseMVP]

Lots of questions:
1. Highly suggest a etc unless you have a basement or live where its cool. Dont buy the prewired. Wire it yourself and save $50. Takes 3 minutes.
2. beads
3. Just get a hygrometer than can be calibrated. They are all within a couple percent.
4. Have found that the fans dont make much difference
5. if you ambient room temp is high you will have condensation.

I have 4 wine coolers now and have become a youtube taught electrician fixing the damn things all the time. I've spent a ton of time and money setting all these up. Next week I'm buying a freezer and converting it so I dont have to keep fixing the wine coolers.



Mike

 

[Life in smoke]

My recent experience tells me one thing, vino sits at 66/66, i have a fan, stock option, beads (2 1/2 lbs HCM ), and cigars, some empty boxes to fill the room, but every thing has been at that for 7 weeks untouched, and I live in AZ, the land of 0% Rh and 100000000 F so, hard to go wrong, I have a newair 281 thanks to the guys on here, my advice, if you have any questions shoot me a pm!

 

[JCubed]

Excellent info, guys. I really appreciate it!

1. Highly suggest a etc unless you have a basement or live where its cool. Dont buy the prewired. Wire it yourself and save $50. Takes 3 minutes.

I barely even know what an ETC is. Why is prewired < unwired? Is wiring one of those easy enough for a layman to do? Recommend any brands/models?

 

[JCubed]

I had many similar questions.

Read the sage answers brothers provided here:

http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php/73846-Emergency-wineador-purchase

Newair 281E, by the way. Build is still in progress.

Right on. Reading yours now. Thank you, sir.

 

[JCubed]

Great advice, guys. I ordered everything except the drawers. Still trying to decide which setup I want, as well as the hardwood fronts (leaning towards ebony).

How necessary is it to put shelves in front of the built-in fan, as opposed to drawers?

I personally would like to take everything out of their boxes and organize in an all-drawer wineador (I also plan on having 2 PC fans on the bottom). Will having drawers, even vented ones, in front of the main fan really screw with it? I can't imagine shelves being nearly as useful as drawers for me.

 

[cgraunke]

You're good with all drawers.
I guess I'm past due to put up pics of mine, but when I do I'll show you the perfect computer fans as well!

 

[JCubed]

You're good with all drawers.
I guess I'm past due to put up pics of mine, but when I do I'll show you the perfect computer fans as well!

Yeah, I didn't know exactly what to get. Saw some 15mm PC fans that just seemed too small/not powerful enough. I ended up ordering 2 USB-powered 80mm fans. Hopefully it's enough.

Now I just need to decide if they both aim up, or 1 up 1 down.

 

[AdamJoshua]

You can also look for the old Oust fans that take a D battery, they don't make them anymore but you can find them on Amazon or Ebay now and then, they are small fans that you pop in a battery and throw it in your box, they run for xx:seconds every few minutes and work great, no wiring or anything else required.