DIY Koolatron Drying and Curing Maching For Cannabis using vpd

[katraiter]

Hi all, this thread will be me documenting my experience using a wine cooler, a dehumidifier, and the AC Infinity Pro controller, to automate the process of drying within an 8 to 10 day period, with minimal loss of terpenes. This works similar to the $1800 unit sold by a company to do the same thing, just a lot cheaper. So far those of us that cannot afford, or just not willing to spend that much, If you don't mind diy, its a no brainer. I would like to acknowledge others in the community and elsewhere that motivated me to try this, and provided the correct wine cooler and humidifier, that would work. Hookdaddy, and PahPahCee, provided insight that would prove to be very helpful, thanks. Stay tuned as I will add more info and pictures, in the near future.

Ha ha .. cool post ! I did a similar thing dehumidifier used wine cooler . It's working so far . I spent 20 bucks on the used wine cooler and 50 on a used dehumidifier! Glad to know other minds think alike .

 

[katraiter]

Hi all, this thread will be me documenting my experience using a wine cooler, a dehumidifier, and the AC Infinity Pro controller, to automate the process of drying within an 8 to 10 day period, with minimal loss of terpenes. This works similar to the $1800 unit sold by a company to do the same thing, just a lot cheaper. So far those of us that cannot afford, or just not willing to spend that much, If you don't mind diy, its a no brainer. I would like to acknowledge others in the community and elsewhere that motivated me to try this, and provided the correct wine cooler and humidifier, that would work. Hookdaddy, and PahPahCee, provided insight that would prove to be very helpful, thanks. Stay tuned as I will add more info and pictures, in the near future.

Here is a link to my similar experiment

Post in thread '2 Purple Ghost Candy , 2 Lsd , 2 original Glue and 1 critical 2.0 Auto germinated /in dirt on St Patty's day. Outside only is my growth good?' https://www.thcfarmer.com/threads/2...de-only-is-my-growth-good.158385/post-3124905

 

[katraiter]

Koolatron all loaded up.View attachment 2222713

Great post

 

[g4sho]

Great post

Thank You.

 

[Week4Bytch]

I'm confused on the thermoelectric vs the compressor type wine coolers.. why would you want to avoid the compressor type?

 

[Week4Bytch]

Here is what the setup looks like. As you can see we disassembled the dehumidifer as to fit it in there and take up minimal space. With the two bottom shelves cut out to accommodate it. And it sits right over the drain plug hole. So it can drain when it condensates. Some cut holes in they're Koolatron for the wires etc. I found that unnecessary as the wires or thin enough to not cause problems when just running them through the door seal. And seals perfectly.

Is that fan unit sitting on top of the cooler the dehumidifier? How'd you take it apart?

 

[g4sho]

I'm confused on the thermoelectric vs the compressor type wine coolers.. why would you want to avoid the compressor type?

You want the thermoelectric as the compressor type from my understanding causes too big of swings in temp and humidity. And the thermoelectric has been proven to work, same as in the commercial dryer being sold for $1600.

 

[g4sho]

Is that fan unit sitting on top of the cooler the dehumidifier? How'd you take it apart?

Yes, that is the whole dehumidifier internal assembly. On this particular model, you just remove the shell, forgot how many screws, but not bad. And there are two switches. One is for water level full, and the other is for reservoir tank is in place. You need to tape or otherwise make the switch for tank in place, and leave the water level full switch, unmade. And you should see only the green led turn on when powered up, if you see the yellow led, it means it thinks tank is full.

 

[Week4Bytch]

Here is a video that I have based my procedure and setpoints on. Our goal is to complete the drying process in 8 to 10 days with minimal loss of terpenes. This is separate from the curing process, which would start after this step is completed. The new research in the cannabis industry is starting to bear some fruit. I highly recommend watching this video for all.



These are the guidelines we are using to produce our result.View attachment 2223185View attachment 2223186View attachment 2223187

According to this chart, if I could only get say 67 degrees constant.. my idea humidity target should be 55% ?

 

[g4sho]

According to this chart, if I could only get say 67 degrees constant.. my idea humidity target should be 55% ?

That depends on how fast you want to dry. Ideally we want to go out at least 8 days up to 10 days, and its based on what you want your final moisture level to be before curing(with moisture meter e.g 8 to 12). In my environment, the optimal .kpa(vpd) was .8kpa. 67f at 55%=1.02 kpa which means you will dry faster. As long as you can go at least 8 days, that may work for you. If you are going to use the kooler method, it is also advised to wet trim before loading. Here is a link to a vpd calculator. Enter the temp and humidity and it will tell you the .kpa.(VPD)

Vapor Pressure Deficit VPD Calculator - Dimlux Lighting - The Best Grow Lights

Vapor Pressure DeficitCalculator Calculate both Room VPD and Leaf VPD automatically Just enter the value below to generate the VPD values for your room and your plants. You’ll need to know the room’s temperature, relative humidity, and the plant’s temperature. We recommend calibrating your...

www.dimluxlighting.com

 

[g4sho]

I cured for 7 weeks and what I notice is it does not have a strong aroma, my wife says lite evergreen. Even when you grind it. But boy does it pack a punch. Because it is so smooth, it sneaks up on you.

 

[Week4Bytch]

That depends on how fast you want to dry. Ideally we want to go out at least 8 days up to 10 days, and its based on what you want your final moisture level to be before curing(with moisture meter e.g 8 to 12). In my environment, the optimal .kpa(vpd) was .8kpa. 67f at 55%=1.02 kpa which means you will dry faster. As long as you can go at least 8 days, that may work for you. If you are going to use the kooler method, it is also advised to wet trim before loading. Here is a link to a vpd calculator. Enter the temp and humidity and it will tell you the .kpa.(VPD)

Vapor Pressure Deficit VPD Calculator - Dimlux Lighting - The Best Grow Lights

Vapor Pressure DeficitCalculator Calculate both Room VPD and Leaf VPD automatically Just enter the value below to generate the VPD values for your room and your plants. You’ll need to know the room’s temperature, relative humidity, and the plant’s temperature. We recommend calibrating your...

www.dimluxlighting.com

Thanks, as of now my dry time is usually 7-9 days hanging in 74-76F -58%H I can't help those numbers, that's my natural environment. My cooler is at 68F and 55%H so... an improvement? If I could hold that with my next harvest ..I'm hoping it is. looks like .75 to .93 is the sweet spot.

 

[Week4Bytch]

I cured for 7 weeks and what I notice is it does not have a strong aroma, my wife says lite evergreen. Even when you grind it. But boy does it pack a punch. Because it is so smooth, it sneaks up on you.

Sometimes happens like that. Some strains for some reason.

 

[g4sho]

Thanks, as of now my dry time is usually 7-9 days hanging in 74-76F -58%H I can't help those numbers, that's my natural environment. My cooler is at 68F and 55%H so... an improvement? If I could hold that with my next harvest ..I'm hoping it is. looks like .75 to .93 is the sweet spot.

That should be good, as long as you keep check with moisture meter, so that you don't overdry(8-12 depending on how you consume e.g. smoke or vape)your medicine.

 

[Week4Bytch]

That should be good, as long as you keep check with moisture meter, so that you don't overdry(8-12 depending on how you consume e.g. smoke or vape)your medicine.

I bought his moisture meter and when I saw all the diffrent wood types to set it too... I never used it again..lol, I have no clue what cannabis wood type is, and not sure which part of the plant do we check? the main branch? I'll have to see if I still have the thing. didn't cost much.

 

[g4sho]

I bought his moisture meter and when I saw all the diffrent wood types to set it too... I never used it again..lol, I have no clue what cannabis wood type is, and not sure which part of the plant do we check? the main branch? I'll have to see if I still have the thing. didn't cost much.

On the one that is pictured on the 1st page pics day one or two, it is the lowest setting I believe. And you do not check the wood stem. You actually check the bud. They are not precision instruments, but they give you a reference point, to be able to be consistent.

 

[Week4Bytch]

On the one that is pictured on the 1st page pics day one or two, it is the lowest setting I believe. And you do not check the wood stem. You actually check the bud. They are not precision instruments, but they give you are reference point, to be able to be consistent.

I usually, or have just been doing it old school, bend the branch till you hear a snap, but this is good. So lowest setting.. I'll try to figure out what that is ..and check the buds not the stem. Check! I'll give it a try. This is what I have, right where I left it couple years ago..

 

[Week4Bytch]

You have a great setup, I honestly have no clue how real world use will be for mine, I'm glad you posted this thread.

 

[g4sho]

You have a great setup, I honestly have no clue how real world use will be for mine, I'm glad you posted this thread.

No problem, I like to share and pass on just like others have passed on to me. I have a big one like that too. I bought the one I use now which is much smaller and more effective, due to being able to do smaller buds, as it has a smaller size and width between the two probes.

 

[Week4Bytch]

No problem, I like to share and pass on just like others have passed on to me. I have a big one like that too. I bought the one I use now which is much smaller and more effective, due to being able to do smaller buds, as it has a smaller size and width between the two probes.

I might have to grab that one, makes sense. Last night I was thinking, dang, have to wait till next harvest to use that thing. This morning, wait, I have bags of nugs I can test!!
This is so funny! Look what Amazon recommended to buy with it ..