possible refrigerator grow

[dbahsee]

Ive got an old fridge in my garage that i would like to use as a space for growing some plants from start to finish, But i am having an issue with how to prep the refrigerator , Sooo im trying to find someone with some documented instructions of preperation, cus i dont know how and where to even start getting this thing ready for what id like to do, It is all for personal use but i am totally lost as to where and what to do to the thing !! If someone could possibly give me a link or some written info on how to acomplish this it would be greatly appreciated


I can provide pics of the fridge its a side by side kenmore , soooo any info would be greatly greatly appreciated

[TheGreenFog]

Hey, man. Many a peeps have thought of this idea. This is a bit of a tough task. Do you plan to use the cooling of the fridge to cool your lights? If so, I think it probably wouldn't work as well as you thought and the compressor in the fridge would probably burn up from overexertion.

If you're using a side by side, like you said, the only way would be to make your veg and clone areas on the left (freezer) side and have your flowering room in the other, larger side.

I would probably just treat it like you would treat any cabinet with those dimensions and figure out how to vent it properly THAT way. The benefit to having the fridge is that it already has gaskets to seal the edges, so you can contain your environment better and not have to worry about light leaks.

If, however, you started drilling holes for exhaust and such, you WOULD have to seal those remaining holes and stuff. just did a search and they are actually selling these premade on ebay and other sites for around $1200 USD. I wouldn't pay it, but it's up to you. I am wondering how they have it set up. I didn't stay and read it much.

NOW, if you were to isolate your lights...via a cooltube or otherwise aircooled hood, then you might be able to use the cooling element of the fridge on a LOW setting to keep it in the 70*F range, but that might even be too much work for that thing. Therefore, you would have to isolate your veg lights as well, ....or something.


What are you thinking? Have you read up on a bunch of the cabinet building threads, DIY threads, and other threads with plentiful info on the basic building of a cab? I know it's a bit different with a fridge, but you GOTTA know the other basic knowledge first. There's just not enough room for errors when dealing with an old compressor. If she turns off on you for one day, your plants could be MUERTAS.

Be cool. RastafarI.


The Fog :rastasmoke:

This is not advice of any kind. Just what I would do. Just discussing hypothetical situations, here.

[Tokudai]

I always wondered if you could use an Over/under fridge/freezer, cut a hole in the bottom of the freezer through to the fridge, secure the glass and reseal it, and run the lights in the freezer with the freezer on, cooling the light. Plants in the fridge part. If you removed the fridge load on the system(compressor and coil) and routed all the cooling power to the freezer, it might work for a 600 or so...

[dbahsee]

well i was actually going to drill a hole in the back someplace on one of the sides maybe someting towards the bottom og the fridge iun the back and place fanse with a vented outlest into the box area to fight off the light, after that i was going to drill some other holes into the top just enoughto slide an electric cord into the inside of the fridge for the lighting and such and i figure i could get away with that maybe with a few more details but inever intended on using the actualy motor of the fridge shit its int he garage cus it wasnt working lol but anything like that someone can tell me about im all for a go at it but nothing over the top for 1200 dollars

[crashtestway]

if i was you i would just build a grow box cause if would be easier to use then if you fixed the refrigerator into a grow setup.. it is a great idea it would be sooo hard to make it all work... but if you do build one i would like to see it... best of wishs

another posting on growing in a refrig
http://boards.cannabis.com/growroom-setup/63283-any-advice-starting.html

[BOYZNUS]

I HAVE AN OLD FREEZER THAT IS MY BABY ROOM.
I CUT A HOLE IN THE TOP, AND INSTALLED A BATHROOM EXHAUST FAN, AND HAVE IT SET TO A THERMOSTAT.
I USED THE POWER CORD AND ATTACHED IT TO A POWER PLUG INSIDE. I RUN CFL'S AND A GROW LIGHT.
IN THE BOTTOM, I CUT A SMALL HOLE FOR MY INTAKE.
I DRILLED A FEW SMALL HOLES IN THE BOTTOM ALSO FOR THE WATER TO DRAIN OUT DURING WATERING.
IT SITS OUTSIDE, SO I DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE WATER MESS.
GOOD LUCK

[dr.resin]

Think of this as an air conditioner in a box/cabinet, working on one here, outgrew my black and decker cabinet first grow which I'm currently completing, we do not to freeze only cool.... and with ventalation should not be a problem...that does depend on lights being used I'm sure....I'm using 100-150w CFL's here...my plans are to cut hole in the bottom right hand corner and install an 85CFM 6" muffin fan for input/fresh air....cut 2 6" holes top and bottom allowing air flow between freezer and fridge. side's...(must keep light from flowing between, used painted black defectors).....install another 85CFM 6" muffin fan at top left rear for exhaust/vent......install 2 5 inch fans in compartments for flow.....this is start may need adjustments as construction always does.....this is ideal because we have the normal noise of the fan/compressor, white walls, shelves, and built in cooling.....works.... put my CFL's in food fridge for try.....just for kicks..... and you know we all should look into this......only thing watsed here will be time....already have all the gadgets....(got fridge free)...as I become more familar how this site works will post pics if I can figure out how.....oh, and locking...using internal 500lb mag lock with battery back up and 4 digit code...w/bypass if needed.....no key slots...dang door just seems stuck all the time........be creative with venting and use a scrubber inside before air exhaust or nieghbors may smell during flowering mode...or may think you have really funny smellin' bad meat in that fridge....
good luck...love this site only been user here for about a month....will watch this thread and see what others input....dang I really typed all that.....LOL
No Expert Just Havin' Fun......

[boxdoctor]

If you have a working refrigerator, you can convert it into a grow box, and yes you can use the cooling system to act as an air conditioner for your plants. I have done this conversion in different types of refrigerators and all worked well.

Obviously it's not a simple project, you'll need to wire the compressor with a new thermostat to control the temperature in the fridge, and you'll also need to install ventilation ducts to exhaust the heat from the lights, without exhausting the cold air from inside the box. Attached are images of a prototype I put together 2 years ago (GE Refrigerator, top freezer/bottom fridge conversion). The heat of the 300 Watt LED Light is exhausted through a separate section in the roof. The same concept can be used with a Cool Tube using HPS or MH. All you need is 2 ventilation ducts to exhaust the heat. One duct brings the outside air into the tube, and the other brings the heat out. You must be very careful not to drill your ducts through a refrigerant gas line.

I have a lot of experience with these type of conversions, and could sit here and write pages and pages about it. If you plan to do something similar and need help, just ask me your questions and I'll reply.