Build Your Own Walk-In Cooler with this DIY CoolBot Alternative

You do not need a CoolBot to cool your walk-in cooler with an air conditioner. You just need to understand the functions of the CoolBot and replace those functions with a few much cheaper off-the-shelf parts. With this knowledge you can save hundreds of dollars and still build your own walk-in cooler to effectively store your own vegetables and any other products that require cold storage.

CHAPTERS
0:42 CoolBot Functions
2:52 Alternative Supplies
4:30 Installation
14:00 Next Steps

INKBIRD SETTINGS
• The Inkbird that powers the lightbulb should be set to the desired room temperature.
• The lightbulb should be plugged into the "Cooling" port of the Inkbird.
• The cooling differential (cd) setting on the Inkbird is what you adjust to control how much variability there is in the room's temperature. For example, if you set the differential to 1ºC and the control temperature to 4ºC, the lightbulb will power on at 4ºC and remain on until the room has cooled down to 3ºC (a differential of 1ºC). We use a cooling differential of 0.5ºC for both Inkbirds.
• The Inkbird with its sensor in the AC fins should be set as cold as possible without allowing ice buildup on the fins. This will be in the -2ºC to 0ºC range.
• Plug the lightbulb's Inkbird into the cooling outlet of this fin Inkbird.
• The heating differential (hd) settings on both Inkbirds are irrelevant because we are only using the cooling outlets.

DIY COOLBOT SUPPLIES

COOLBOT DISCOUNT

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[PeterSedesse]

basically a $400 coolbot down to $80 in parts. And honestly, the work to set them up is about the same. Great video

[jonathanberry]

Just finished insulating and wiring this system in a walk-in built from scratch. Works perfectly. Thanks for the awesome hack and video!

[brankenflowery]

I priced out all the items needed for this homemade version of a cool bot. I used Amazon and I live in Arkansas. The total price with tax is $109.98. Just saying it saves so much money. I am going to use this method to make a walk-in cooler for my flowers. I cannot afford a cool bot.

[jaychrist]

This is by far the best hack guide thanks! Currently installing my 25000 btu LG in my flower cooler after my old industrial compressor kicked the bucket. Didn't want to spend 8K+ (Canadian) so your guide was a lifesaver thanks!

[mw]

Lifesaver. This saved me hundreds of dollars. I already had everything I needed for it. Thank you

[dianarestrepo]

Coolbot alternative for Dummies. Such thorough explanation. TY!

[dr]

We already bought a coolbot for my ice hash cooler (legal in CA). Come to find out we need another A/C unit to reach the temps we would like.
I bought all the parts and will be using this instead of buying another coolbot! Thanks for saving me 320$!

Ill update this post with the results and my findings once its set up next monday.

[avidsledder]

Fantastic video and so well explained step by step. Best instructional video I’ve watched in a long time!

[DustinApple]

I built one 6yrs ago on my channel. Just did a 6yr review. Money well spent.

[snowsurfer]

Great video. I use this system to cool our cooler at Burning Man. Our theme camp gifts about 5000 lbs of organic fruits and vegetables during the burn, We have a retired semi refer trailer. we use to store our camp infrastructure. We walled off a 10' x 12' area in the front of the trailer, With a stand up room ac we can keep the temps below 40f easily. We went with a single hose stand up ac because it does not draw in air from the outside as it is very dusty on playa.

[douglawrence]

The basic coolbot is now $534cdn and the bits and pieces for your system are approx $125. So over $400 savings. No brainer, thanks for the very clear instructions.

[amongstgreatdanes]

Genius, thank you. My savings? Gonna put that towards a backup winder-unit.

[oby-]

Excellent. I currently use a CoolBot but am needing another cooler and this is awesome. Thank you.

[danp]

This whole project took me about 20 minutes to complete. I can confirm that it works as intended.

You don't need to be an HVAC tech or all that handy really as long as you have the right items.

The 4W bulbs highest temperature was around 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

One thing to keep in mind is the length of the temperature sensor on the air conditioner. The one on my AC barely has any wiggle room. I am going to have to set the bulb piece very close to the AC. With that in mind it was still reading 99 to 100.

Thank you so much.

[Apodacahomestead]

Great information! I just built a walk-in cooler and this is going to fix my coil freezing problem!

[StillwatersFarm]

Ok, I'm sold. I need a walk-in for my just-licensed winery, and I think this will do the trick. Building out a 6'x10' space inside the winery to meet regulations. This will hopefully help me battle super high August temps in West Tennessee so that I can begin fermenting our white grapes at the appropriate temperature. Thank you for such an excellent and thorough explanation! I'm on to Amazon to make my order, then to the lumber store to purchase my lumber and insulation panels.

[marc-antoineallard]

Already had everything on hand to do this and so simple to put together and make it work! Thank you very much for making this video

[christophersmith]

On the round LED bulbs, the round part is just a plastic diffuser, you can cut it off or drill a hole it in a stick the probe in. However, there are also tiny 4 and 6 watt reptile aquarium heaters that will plug straight into the thermostat.

[zworgzworg]

Consider a power resistor in place of the led bulb. More reliable than a led device that can fail. Thanks for the video.

[mikekittrell]

First off I want to thank you for the video. Here's what I came up with using your step by step instructions. My cooler 7Hx8Lx7W with 5" thick cooler panels. Built inside a 30' shipping container with a roof. I'm located in South Georgia. Go Georgia Southern Eagles! 1. I purchased a 10000 BTU Toshiba A/C and the exact materials listed in your video. Ok, I built this cooler to hold deer meat prior to processing. I want to keep the temperature between 36 & 38 dergrees. Here's my issue. I've only been able to keep the temperature between 40 & 45 degrees consistant for several days. My units keeps freezing up. I've set my controllers to 36, 37 & 38 degrees for room temp. and 29 - 34 degrees for fin temp. The lowest temp i've got in a 96 hour test run was 39 degrees and that was on Friday morning when the outside temp was 47 degrees. Now, I know that the outside temp. plays a roll. However, I have a co-worked that has the same setup I do and he has used a the same Coolbot for 11 years straight with no issues while maintaining a 36-38 degree temp. So, here's my assessmetnt. I think your method will work fine with the inkbirds for folks in the south who just want to keep veggies cool. From my experience, It's just to warm in the South for a meat cooler at the beginning of deer season. May work great when the temperatures in the south get cooler, say late November. So, I just wanted to let folks know about my experience in the deep south. Thanks