Need advice: old dehumidifier guts to build ferm chamber

I tore down an old dehumidifier that was left in the basement when we bought our house in 2007 (a bad time to buy, by the way =). Anyway, it worked for a while, but eventually the fan quit. The compressor system works great still.

Here are some pictures.

I want this to power a fermentation chamber. I can't separate the condenser and evaporator coils more than they are (if it is possible, I don't have the technical knowhow or equipment to do so). The fan motor is also thermally protected and though it's not turning it heats up pretty quickly.

I am confident in my construction skills when it comes to building the actual chamber, but what are my options using this equipment? It seems like I should replace the fan (.65 amps) and use it to cool the compressor when it comes on. I would also like to have a fan inside the chamber come on when the compressor does. I just don't have enough electrical experience to figure out where to start.

Any ideas where to begin?

 

The definition of refrigeration is to remove heat from where it's objectionable to a place where it is unobjectionable. For example, a window ac unit absorbs heat into the system through the evaporator by the evaporation of the liquid refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant vapor is then compressed and sent to the condenser, where a fan blows air across it and the heat is removed to outside the space being cooled and the refrigerant vapor is condensed back into a liquid, completing the cycle.

A dehumidifier does not do this. The heat absorbed into the system, and the heat of compression, are added back into the space, while at the same time, the moisture in the air is condensed on the evaporator and collected in the basin to be emptied or pumped out. Since the evaporator and condenser are located right next to each other in a dehumidifier, and share the same fan, you would need to find a way to make duct work to separate the high side (condenser) from the low side (evaporator). You will want to direct the air from the fermentation chamber over the evaporator and then back into the chamber. You will need to have the condenser remove the heat from the system out into the space your fermentation chamber resides in, which will require it's own fan. You will also need to find a way to deal with the condensate that will accumulate on the evaporator coil.

 

I understand the physics. That is why I was disappointed that I couldn't separate the coils more. The plan is to build the insulated wall of the chamber right between the two coils and have fans inside and out. I'll be able to use heat-resistant materials on the outside where the hot coils are, hopefully.

The condensation issue has me wondering, too. I won't be opening the chamber very often, so there won't be continual moisture added to the internal atmosphere. Hopefully a drip tray will do.

Is this even worth trying with this equipment or should I just go an easier route and use a mini-fridge?

 

Hi

See if you can score a small air conditioner. Either a sale at a big box store or off of Craig's List. Much easier to convert. Even brand new / not on sale they are below $100 around here.

Bob