Cool Bot controller

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

Worth the cool bot uses a unit to override the airconditioners sensor. it keeps the unit running and cooling at the temp you set it at. mine is at 42 and the remote sensors I have in the house read 42 and 39...since it seems pretty consistent I can remove my greenhouse sensors from the cooler and put them back in the greenhouses. we built a walk in cooler in our shed and paid Money and Moses to come spray on insulation. I think we have about 1000.00 in it.

I thought that was how it worked, makes it easy for the home owner.
I went to a refrigeration parts supply place some years ago and that is when I was clued in on how you could change things around with the right controller.
Took the mystery right out of it for me.
Also has me thinking about building something like this off the side of my house.

Worth

[BigVanVader]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I thought that was how it worked, makes it easy for the home owner.
I went to a refrigeration parts supply place some years ago and that is when I was clued in on how you could change things around with the right controller.
Took the mystery right out of it for me.
Also has me thinking about building something like this off the side of my house.

Worth

Idk Worth, better do a test build off the side of mine first to be safe. Call me when you land.

[clkeiper]

I do a roadside stand and 3 farmers markets a week. I have done so for 8 years now. everything we do we save up and pay for as we see the need. This is my main source of a job here. I need to be close to home with a fairly flexible schedule and this allows it to happen. the coolbot allows for me to not have to be picking and packing everything the morning of or the night before each market. the cool bot runs off of an air conditioning unit in a well insulated room. pretty efficient.

"I did find it necessary to keep most of my stuff in closed plastic containers, because the cool air is very dry, and can wilt things quickly."... yep, I do cover or package before putting the produce in the cooler.

[Salsacharley]

Here's some pretty cheap AC units from walmart. My daughter got the cheapest one and runs it about 20 hrs per day. It is on its 2nd year.

https://www.walmart.com/browse/home-..._133026_587566

[clkeiper]

Worth I honestly don't know as it is a spray on foam. Kevin made the arrangements but I can tell you the outside of the wall is not cool to the touch inside of the rest of the building.

[Cole_Robbie]

What is the cheapest insulation? I have been wondering that lately.

[Nematode]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

What is the cheapest insulation? I have been wondering that lately.

Cheapest isn't always the best, though it's a good place to start looking.
You will need a closed cell foam or it will fill with water from condensate and be useless.

Spray in may be on the more expensive end, but the best value.
It won't waterlog, and it can fix all the leaks you unintentionally left in during construction.

[pmcgrady]

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

What is the cheapest insulation? I have been wondering that lately.

The last insulation job I saw last year was on a cabin I helped build. A company here called R Factor sprayed walls and ceiling with about an inch an a half of closed cell foam, then sprayed wet cellulose (chopped wet newspaper) to fill the 6" walls the rest of the way. They said it was the most bang for the buck but wouldn't tell me what they were charging.

[Nematode]

Cheapest is likely sawdust. Its what my grandpa used to keep lake ice frozen all summer for delivery.

[clkeiper]

Worth, I asked Kevin he said he thought it was r20. not positive though.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by clkeiper

Worth, I asked Kevin he said he thought it was r20. not positive though.

Thanks.
If a person used 4 inches worth of high density foam board it would be R20.
Every inch has an R factor of 5 with this stuff and it doesn't break down.
Another thing to do is put that silver stuff pointing towards the outside.
The stuff is around 40 dollars for a 4X8X2 sheet.

Worth

[Cole_Robbie]

Originally Posted by Worth1

Thanks.
If a person used 4 inches worth of high density foam board it would be R20.
Every inch has an R factor of 5 with this stuff and it doesn't break down.
Another thing to do is put that silver stuff pointing towards the outside.
The stuff is around 40 dollars for a 4X8X2 sheet.

Worth

I have been thinking of ideas for insulating the greenhouse I have now, as well as building another one that is insulated. The most realistic idea I have is to make the north and end walls out of 1/4" OSB with 1/2" foil-faced foam panel inside that.

https://www.menards.com/main/buildin...7271463&ipos=2

The panel is R2.7. I think R3 would be a realistic guess for the osb/panel combo.

The question that requires more creativity is, what if I wanted something retractable? Like a curtain or tarp that would roll up and down over the clear south wall, or possibly even insulated shutters that open and close. I can think off all sorts of crazy ideas, but I don't know the best one to pick.

[Cole_Robbie]

This stuff is about the same price and has an r-value of 3.2 :
https://www.menards.com/main/buildin...481117&ipos=16

[Cole_Robbie]

https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Gr...Y81YT25D3DXD7N

I like the insulated tarp idea. But I am wondering if I could make my own, to make a thicker version.

[clkeiper]

that would make sense for the r factor. the wall is filled all the way to the edge of the studs. we had to scrape a little to put up the osb.