My walk in cooler is almost done....

[Vulcan]

One thought I had (while working this idea up for my own use  ) was maybe hooking up a solar panel or 2 (or however many you would need) to offset the cost of running the unit. I don't know how much it is but would be a good option if it becomes too costly?

[jrebel]

One thought I had (while working this idea up for my own use  ) was maybe hooking up a solar panel or 2 (or however many you would need) to offset the cost of running the unit. I don't know how much it is but would be a good option if it becomes too costly?

That would be a great option if a person was going to use it year round.   

I don't think they use that much electricity though....and I also live in Douglas county which has some of the cheapest energy in the country.  Lucky me.

[Stickerbush]

This is great, refrigeration is a huge consideration for after the shot especially in warmer times. This allows anyone to hang the meat relatively cheap and fun project. I think if I did it though I would have the walls come apart so it could be temporary or mobile. Unless I found a use for it year round

[MacAttack]

Sweet, is that a regular ac unit?

Yes, it is a 12,000 BTU window AC unit.  The coolbot allows it to cool below 60 degrees.  So far it is working really well, but it is still the first day.

Is the coolbot a necessity?

[baker5150]

Sweet, is that a regular ac unit?

Yes, it is a 12,000 BTU window AC unit.  The coolbot allows it to cool below 60 degrees.  So far it is working really well, but it is still the first day.

Is the coolbot a necessity?


Yes, without it (or some other form of coil temp sensing) the coil will eventually frost over, leading to fan failure or worse a compressor failure.  These A/C units are not meant to operate at those low temps.  The coolbot is a way of "jimmy rigging' them into operating.  IT's a cool product for the occasional user, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything long term.

[jrebel]

Sweet, is that a regular ac unit?

Yes, it is a 12,000 BTU window AC unit.  The coolbot allows it to cool below 60 degrees.  So far it is working really well, but it is still the first day.

Is the coolbot a necessity?


Yes, without it (or some other form of coil temp sensing) the coil will eventually frost over, leading to fan failure or worse a compressor failure.  These A/C units are not meant to operate at those low temps.  The coolbot is a way of "jimmy rigging' them into operating.  IT's a cool product for the occasional user, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything long term.

Based on the website your statement is not 100% accurate.  The only reason the home AC units don't operate at those low temps is because they are programmed not to.  Take a look at the website;  read about them and look at the FAQ's.  Also look at the testimonials.  It appears that these AC units can be more economical in a use like this than they can for the purpose they are meant for.  You are cooling a much smaller and much more insulated room....thus the compressor actually works less in this application than it does in the application it is meant for.  With that said the longevity should be greater.  I guess only time will tell....

www.storeitcold.com is the website

[jrebel]

This is great, refrigeration is a huge consideration for after the shot especially in warmer times. This allows anyone to hang the meat relatively cheap and fun project. I think if I did it though I would have the walls come apart so it could be temporary or mobile. Unless I found a use for it year round

I totally agree.   If I were to do it again I would buy the pre-insulated panels that snap together and build it.  Then it could be disassembled and stored.  I am going to use mine in the off season as storage for thinks like bicycles and kids outdoor toys.  That will help clean out the garage. 

[Curly]

I forgot to say......that is really cool!

[baker5150]

Sweet, is that a regular ac unit?

Yes, it is a 12,000 BTU window AC unit.  The coolbot allows it to cool below 60 degrees.  So far it is working really well, but it is still the first day.

Is the coolbot a necessity?


Yes, without it (or some other form of coil temp sensing) the coil will eventually frost over, leading to fan failure or worse a compressor failure.  These A/C units are not meant to operate at those low temps.  The coolbot is a way of "jimmy rigging' them into operating.  IT's a cool product for the occasional user, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything long term.

Based on the website your statement is not 100% accurate.  The only reason the home AC units don't operate at those low temps is because they are programmed not to.  Take a look at the website;  read about them and look at the FAQ's.  Also look at the testimonials.  It appears that these AC units can be more economical in a use like this than they can for the purpose they are meant for.  You are cooling a much smaller and much more insulated room....thus the compressor actually works less in this application than it does in the application it is meant for.  With that said the longevity should be greater.  I guess only time will tell....

www.storeitcold.com is the website

First off, I have read the site.  I have been in the HVAC/R business for 13 years and was kind of slipping my 2 cents in there at the end.
Second, I'm not in anyway bashing this product, I think it's a great product for occasional use, especially for a game locker. 

There are a few reasons why I wouldn't trust it long term as a refer solution.

1-  These home A/C units are not anywhere near the quality of commercial use condensing units, obviously.

2-  They aren't R22 refrigerant anymore, they are R410a, more of a medium temp refrigerant and a much higher pressure to begin with, let alone once the coil begins to ice up and restrict airflow.  High pressures = compressor failure.  I do not know if these units have high limits built in, I doubt it.

3- The compressor does not work less,  it's either on or off,  and in this case it is going to cycle on and off a lot more than usual.  And as you may or may not know, the main killer of refer compressors is short cycling.  In an A/C application the compressor can run all day, the temp doesn't get low enough for it to warrant any kind of defrost control.

Being in this trade I have obviously thought of how to build my own locker many times, and to be completely honest,  I would buy a coolbot too.

[jrebel]

Sweet, is that a regular ac unit?

Yes, it is a 12,000 BTU window AC unit.  The coolbot allows it to cool below 60 degrees.  So far it is working really well, but it is still the first day.

Is the coolbot a necessity?


Yes, without it (or some other form of coil temp sensing) the coil will eventually frost over, leading to fan failure or worse a compressor failure.  These A/C units are not meant to operate at those low temps.  The coolbot is a way of "jimmy rigging' them into operating.  IT's a cool product for the occasional user, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything long term.

Based on the website your statement is not 100% accurate.  The only reason the home AC units don't operate at those low temps is because they are programmed not to.  Take a look at the website;  read about them and look at the FAQ's.  Also look at the testimonials.  It appears that these AC units can be more economical in a use like this than they can for the purpose they are meant for.  You are cooling a much smaller and much more insulated room....thus the compressor actually works less in this application than it does in the application it is meant for.  With that said the longevity should be greater.  I guess only time will tell....

www.storeitcold.com is the website

First off, I have read the site.  I have been in the HVAC/R business for 13 years and was kind of slipping my 2 cents in there at the end.
Second, I'm not in anyway bashing this product, I think it's a great product for occasional use, especially for a game locker. 

There are a few reasons why I wouldn't trust it long term as a refer solution.

1-  These home A/C units are not anywhere near the quality of commercial use condensing units, obviously.

2-  They aren't R22 refrigerant anymore, they are R410a, more of a medium temp refrigerant and a much higher pressure to begin with, let alone once the coil begins to ice up and restrict airflow.  High pressures = compressor failure.  I do not know if these units have high limits built in, I doubt it.

3- The compressor does not work less,  it's either on or off,  and in this case it is going to cycle on and off a lot more than usual.  And as you may or may not know, the main killer of refer compressors is short cycling.  In an A/C application the compressor can run all day, the temp doesn't get low enough for it to warrant any kind of defrost control.

Being in this trade I have obviously thought of how to build my own locker many times, and to be completely honest,  I would buy a coolbot too.

Baker

I hope you didn't take offense to my original response, that was not my intent.  I clearly stated "based on the website" and "only time will tell."  I am no professional (looks like you may be), but the testimonials state people are getting multiple years of use with very little problems.  I hope they are correct.  I figure if I can get 3-5 years per AC unit then I will be money ahead.  I do think that if you were going to use a cold storage unit year around or for a business the commercial units would be the way to go.   

[baker5150]

Sweet, is that a regular ac unit?

Yes, it is a 12,000 BTU window AC unit.  The coolbot allows it to cool below 60 degrees.  So far it is working really well, but it is still the first day.

Is the coolbot a necessity?


Yes, without it (or some other form of coil temp sensing) the coil will eventually frost over, leading to fan failure or worse a compressor failure.  These A/C units are not meant to operate at those low temps.  The coolbot is a way of "jimmy rigging' them into operating.  IT's a cool product for the occasional user, but I wouldn't rely on it for anything long term.

Based on the website your statement is not 100% accurate.  The only reason the home AC units don't operate at those low temps is because they are programmed not to.  Take a look at the website;  read about them and look at the FAQ's.  Also look at the testimonials.  It appears that these AC units can be more economical in a use like this than they can for the purpose they are meant for.  You are cooling a much smaller and much more insulated room....thus the compressor actually works less in this application than it does in the application it is meant for.  With that said the longevity should be greater.  I guess only time will tell....

www.storeitcold.com is the website

First off, I have read the site.  I have been in the HVAC/R business for 13 years and was kind of slipping my 2 cents in there at the end.
Second, I'm not in anyway bashing this product, I think it's a great product for occasional use, especially for a game locker. 

There are a few reasons why I wouldn't trust it long term as a refer solution.

1-  These home A/C units are not anywhere near the quality of commercial use condensing units, obviously.

2-  They aren't R22 refrigerant anymore, they are R410a, more of a medium temp refrigerant and a much higher pressure to begin with, let alone once the coil begins to ice up and restrict airflow.  High pressures = compressor failure.  I do not know if these units have high limits built in, I doubt it.

3- The compressor does not work less,  it's either on or off,  and in this case it is going to cycle on and off a lot more than usual.  And as you may or may not know, the main killer of refer compressors is short cycling.  In an A/C application the compressor can run all day, the temp doesn't get low enough for it to warrant any kind of defrost control.

Being in this trade I have obviously thought of how to build my own locker many times, and to be completely honest,  I would buy a coolbot too.

Baker

I hope you didn't take offense to my original response, that was not my intent.  I clearly stated "based on the website" and "only time will tell."  I am no professional (looks like you may be), but the testimonials state people are getting multiple years of use with very little problems.  I hope they are correct.  I figure if I can get 3-5 years per AC unit then I will be money ahead.  I do think that if you were going to use a cold storage unit year around or for a business the commercial units would be the way to go.   

No offense taken    
I just never trust testimonials from the same site that sells the product.  Seams they could be a little filtered. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

STILL WAITING FOR ANIMAL PICS IN IT. 

DID YOU NOT PUT PLYWOOD ALL THE WAY UP THE WALLS?

[STARVATION]

Temp needs to be under 40 degrees as bacteria grows at 40 and above. Having hung and processed beef and game animals for 40 years I like to keep meat at 34 to 36 degrees. Take care.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Temp needs to be under 40 degrees as bacteria grows at 40 and above. Having hung and processed beef and game animals for 40 years I like to keep meat at 34 to 36 degrees. Take care.

YEP LIFE STARTS AT 40 DEGREES. 

[kentrek]

34 to 36 degrees. Take care.