Wine cooler as chiller?

[wong1979]

Hi, just went down to bugis junction and saw 2 type of cooler/chiller meant for drinks. The small one cost around $30 and you can put about 2 cans of coke in it while the bigger one priced at $120 can contain 4 bottles of wine. The power comsumption for the small one is at 55 watts while the big one I did not check but the temp can be adjusted I think.

Now, what I'm thinking of is if we could improvish/DIY on it, such that it can bring down our tank temp by about 5 C. Won't that be great?

Also, since the bigger one has a thermostat and is about 20 cm wide to 50 cm tall, we can actually house a mini tank inside. But that won't look nice.

On the technical aspect, does 55 watts rating means that the power consumption is also equivalent to a light fixture rated at 55 watts? If thats the case, I won't really mind letting the chiller just run on top of the tank with the doors open and letting the cold air sink in. The cost would just be like double of the usual electricity consumption. Am I not right?

Any thoughts about the feasibilty?

[rocketshrimp]

It is tempting...have crossed my mind before the days I have chiller..

Using the small cooler...I think
1. the cooler will be overworked, since it will be on all the time. No way it can cool down to the temp for the thermostat to kick it so that it can rest. So, will break down very soon. $$$ fly away.
2. The "cool" air coming out of the cooler won't be cool enough to cool the tank. You need the it to be a closed system for the air to reach the cooling temp. Maybe running a fan is more efficient.

I am not electrical trained. This is what I think...but may be wrong.

[tawauboy]

is the drink chiller made from thermoelectric devices or the normal refrigerant/compressor? if thermoelectric device then you can try to diy something. however, if its refrigerant/compressor type, drop the idea.

it will not be efficient though.

any 55 watts electrical items will consume same amount of electricity as any other 55 watt electrical devices.

[Justikanz]

I think it is the same idea of opening the fridge door to try to cool a room... It will never happen... The place will be warmer and it will waste electricity... My 2 cents...

[dwoon]

Might as well get one of those air-coolers. The type where you put in water and it blows out cool air. Then channel/divert the flow to the top of the tank (maybe even the sides will work through conduction through the glass).

Errr.. won't that be easier?

[BFG]

The easiest path is getting a chiller.

[tango]

hi,

wine cooler is designed to keep wine. save all the $$$ paid for the electricity and invest in some good vintage wine.

tango

[wong1979]

is the drink chiller made from thermoelectric devices or the normal refrigerant/compressor? if thermoelectric device then you can try to diy something. however, if its refrigerant/compressor type, drop the idea.

it will not be efficient though.

any 55 watts electrical items will consume same amount of electricity as any other 55 watt electrical devices.

I think it should be those thermoelectric type you are talking about. I'm not an engineer but it seems that this principle can only be used on small objects?
Anyway, found an article about TEC (thermoelectric cooling), too cheem for me to understand

http://www.enertron-inc.com/pdf/Desi...%20Coolers.pdf

[wong1979]

I got another silly idea but workable. Supposed we cook and eat meat, fish everyday. We take our frozen food out to defrost. Why waste it? Put it in a ziplock bag and throw it inside the tank. Can bring down by at least 2 C I think, and at the same time, defrost your meat faster

[Justikanz]

Eww!!...

[baranne]

I got another silly idea but workable. Supposed we cook and eat meat, fish everyday. We take our frozen food out to defrost. Why waste it? Put it in a ziplock bag and throw it inside the tank. Can bring down by at least 2 C I think, and at the same time, defrost your meat faster

Wong... not sure if everyone shares ur idea of de-frosting...

[stormhawk]

Using a TEC is simple but getting an efficient cooling rate at a lower electrical consumption is slightly difficult.

There is a product being sold locally but made in the USA I think. Its called the Ice Probe and used mainly in the marine hobby.

[BFG]

Ice Probe is generally used for small tank.

[wong1979]

Here's a link to what's an ice probe --> http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...768+2146961922
Anyone use it before? Seems like a better alternative to a chiller if use for a small-medium tank. But still if can convert a $30 TEC drink cooler to cool an aquarium would be best!

[stormhawk]

BFG, that's true but with multiple sets I think you can cool a larger tank, although at a bigger expense.

Intend to get one when I have the budget for it. Test it with a 2 feet tank via modifying a hang-on filter.

[griffon]

guys the wine cooler works with thermal electric pads.
They are not very efficient to cool, depends of the watts.
They can maintain the temp bet 10 - 20 deg C,
the ambient temp will effect the cooling efficient of the pad.
Did some research on that for a project i was on.
Can do a search on "thermal electric" for for info.

[rocketshrimp]

I got another silly idea but workable. Supposed we cook and eat meat, fish everyday. We take our frozen food out to defrost. Why waste it? Put it in a ziplock bag and throw it inside the tank. Can bring down by at least 2 C I think, and at the same time, defrost your meat faster

haha...creative idea. But don't ask me to your place for dinner...cos I don't know where the food had been....