Cheap solution for environmental chamber

[David Novak]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

Thanks,
David


=============================
David Novak
Dajac Inc.
17152 Shadoan Way
Westfield, IN 46074

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 317-258-0223
Fax: 317-867-1888

www.dajac.com

Hardware/Software Consulting
Headlamp Alignment Equipment
=============================

 

[krw]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

Phoenix, about this time of year.

 

[Tim Wescott]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

Thanks,
David

A toaster oven and a (big) lamp dimmer. You'd have to monitor the
temperature yourself, or make a controller, but it'd do the job.

Or a toaster oven, a relay, a temperature controller from Omega, and a
temperature probe from same. "Cheap" may fall by the wayside without some
inspired eBay buying, but it'd also do the job.

--
Tim Wescott
Control systems and communications consulting
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Need to learn how to apply control theory in your embedded system?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" by Tim Wescott
Elsevier/Newnes, http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

 

[Ecnerwal]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

Small freezer = insulated box.

Unplug freezer, run flat power cable inside with small thermostatically
controlled heater (PTC ceramic disk heaters (with fan) are reasonably
safe). Set for 50C. Light bulbs and a separate thermostat is another
classic heating method. Plain old resistive elements...hot is pretty
easy.

The freezer plastic interior might object, but if it's only 50C will
probably be fine. However, a few sheets of rigid board insulation (the
foil-faced stuff works particularly well) from the building supply and a
bit of tape (foil if you get the foil-faced board) could make you a
dedicated hot box easily enough - heat the same way, be able to run a
batch in hot and a batch in cold at the same time.

 

[[email protected]]

A toaster oven and a (big) lamp dimmer. You'd have to monitor the
temperature yourself, or make a controller, but it'd do the job.

Or a toaster oven, a relay, a temperature controller from Omega, and a
temperature probe from same. "Cheap" may fall by the wayside without some
inspired eBay buying, but it'd also do the job.

--
Tim Wescott
Control systems and communications consultinghttp://www.wescottdesign.com

Need to learn how to apply control theory in your embedded system?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" by Tim Wescott
Elsevier/Newnes,http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Small chambers go for around $200 in the surplus shops, provided they
are the liquid nitrogen type. Full refrigeration costs considerably
more.

 

[D from BC]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

Thanks,
David


=============================
David Novak
Dajac Inc.
17152 Shadoan Way
Westfield, IN 46074

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 317-258-0223
Fax: 317-867-1888

www.dajac.com

Hardware/Software Consulting
Headlamp Alignment Equipment
=============================

Maybe try:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...d=10053&productId=100498583&categoryID=500500

$24.00 at Home Depot

Or ...

I do environmental tests in my kitchen oven. I haven't tried 50C but
my kitchen oven dial has 65C as a min.
I use a fan in the oven to circulate the air.
D from BC

 

[Ben Jackson]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

If it's really small (eg single pcb) you could get one of those 6-pack
12V mini fridges. They use a peltier device and usually have a switch
to choose warming or cooling.

 

[Rich Grise]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

Find a toaster oven that has a thermostat?

Good Luck!
Rich

 

[Rich Grise]

On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:46:21 -0400, David Novak


Maybe try:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...d=10053&productId=100498583&categoryID=500500

$24.00 at Home Depot

Or ...

I do environmental tests in my kitchen oven. I haven't tried 50C but
my kitchen oven dial has 65C as a min.
I use a fan in the oven to circulate the air.

You idiot! That's a space heater for heaven's sakes - he doesn't want to
raise the whole blinkin' ROOM to 50C!

Try one of these:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100431020

Cheers!
Rich

 

[RST Engineering \(jw\)]

Down to WallyMart to get a moderatly large (compared with the DUT) camping
cooler. Drill a hole in the side for a thermometer probe (tight fit).
Light bulb and fan for heating. Remove light bulb. Insert dry ice for
chilling. Use a Polish temperature controller (light bulb and switch on the
fan) to regulate (sort of) temperature.

Jim

--
"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in
a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, with chocolate in one hand and wine in
the other, loudly proclaiming 'WOO HOO What a Ride!'"
--Unknown

 

[martin griffith]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

Thanks,
David


=============================
David Novak
Dajac Inc.
17152 Shadoan Way
Westfield, IN 46074

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 317-258-0223
Fax: 317-867-1888

www.dajac.com

Hardware/Software Consulting
Headlamp Alignment Equipment
=============================

If you have compressed air available, you could use a vortex cooler,
see wikidpedia


martin

 

[D from BC]

You idiot! That's a space heater for heaven's sakes - he doesn't want to
raise the whole blinkin' ROOM to 50C!

Try one of these:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100431020

Cheers!
Rich

Could still work.. I don't think the size of that environmental
chamber was mentioned yet..

Heck...the OP might be able to insulate a closet and use that as an
environmental chamber..
Home Depot has pink foam insulation too.

I've turned washrooms into paint bake rooms

D from BC

 

[Spurious Response]

Could still work.. I don't think the size of that environmental
chamber was mentioned yet..

Heck...the OP might be able to insulate a closet and use that as an
environmental chamber..
Home Depot has pink foam insulation too.

I've turned washrooms into paint bake rooms

I'll bet the old lady just loved that little stunt.

Did you at least morph it into a grow room?

 

[Carl Ijames]

My full size gas oven is about 45C when set to the lowest "warm"
setting - try your oven at home.

 

[Rich Grise]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

I have a "counter-top" oven that looks a lot like this one, except it's
white enamel:
http://homecooking.about.com/od/kitchenequipmentreviews/gr/nesco.htm

and I don't remember where I bought it or what brand it is, but it's got
a mechanical thermostat; the lowest indication is 150F, the highest is
400 or 450F, and at ambient I can hear (and feel) the knob thermostat
click about half-way up from "off" to "150", so it could probably be set
as low as 100F, if you have a decent thermometer and time to let it
stabilize. It's yours for the cost of shipping - make an email by
concatenating my first and last name and sending it to yahoo, if you're
interested.
http://mysite.verizon.net/richgrise/images/RoasterOven.jpg
CAUTION! 463KB picture file!

Cheers!
Rich
email: richgrise at ya-you-know-what-hoo etc. ;-)

 

[MooseFET]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

You can buy http://www.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?Detail?Ref=537548&Row=155665&Site=US

and a relay to turn on and off a heater AKA big fat resistor or light
bulb.

If you put a lot of thermal mass inside the box, the thermostat won't
have to cycle very often. You can also size the heater so that it
isn't too strong.

 

[Barry Lennox]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

Depends on how big your DUT is.

There was one in "Circuit Cellar" perhaps 3-4 years back. It used a
small "auto" fridge with Peltier effect coolers and a couple of WW
resistors for a heater, together with a small controller. These
fridges are the size that neatly holds a 6-pack.

I can find the reference to the exact issue if that helps.

Barry

 

[Jasen]

I need to test a product at hot and cold temperatures. Can anyone
suggest a cheap alternative to an environmental chamber?

A small freezer would probably be fine for the cold, but what is a good
solution for hot (50C)? I think a toaster oven would be too hot.

clothes dryer?

refrigerator shell with a heater and a thermostat installed.

Bye.
Jasen

 

[David Novak]

Thanks for all the great ideas! I think I will try one of the mini
fridges that support heat and cool.

http://www.amazon.com/Peter-J-Listr...3258277-8131935?ie=UTF8&qid=1183157776&sr=8-2

David