DYI Swamp Cooler For the Winter Shed, 8 DegreesC outside, 8 DegreesC Inside

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

So, with the swamp cooler running, I was able to keep the shed at 8C, during a daytime high of 8C. At supper, I turned off the water for the night. Went back outside at 10 to open the doors to help cool the shed overnight. From 6;00-10;00 the outdoor temps dropped to 7C but the indoor temperature increased to 10C. It appears the swamp cooler helped hold the indour temp down at least a few degrees throughout the warmth of the day

[@irenedjapa8805]

Mr Rainmaker here I got a question for you Ian how come you don't put air conditioners in there just in case of this type of situation I was thinking about it because I wanted to do something like you did down here but I have to keep them cold when we get those warm snaps so I was thinking of putting air conditioners in there one of those AC units from a semi trailer it would work like a champ

[@MinnesotaBeekeeper]

​@@irenedjapa8805 Cost. Square footage and the BTUs from 1,500 hives. Not to mention all the sheet metal ducts, plenums and so on, on an already low ceiling.

[@MinnesotaBeekeeper]

You are definitely on to something. I think you need might need more evaporative surface area on the intake. We have a structural maintenance engineer here Mr Bob Loch, will run it by him.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I’m quoted 10-15 tons of refrigeration, $80-100G I am starting to justify the expense

[@gallowaylights]

Need a venture at the misters

[@solivaguswayfarer]

Brilliant! That is a great solution Ian, thinking like an engineer ☺️

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Ahh, but I’m an Agi… lol

[@solivaguswayfarer]

@@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog Yup, agricultural engineering ☺️

[@mikeadoodles]

Depending on the size of the shed you could use diesel/electric reefer units from trailers. I have used these in the past to chill our loading dock and they are plentiful on the market.

[@dcsblessedbees]

Those should help some with this warm weather moving thought. You driveway didn't look like that last year, might want to keep an eye for an early Spring. Blessed Days Ian...

[@frogsurfer4403]

Great move with the swamp coolers Ian. Hopefully your temperatures drop back to seasonal values soon. I've seen recent posts of people reporting temperatures double what you are experiencing! The thought of chillers (an expensive proposition) never goes away. Never a dull moment, ha ha. Cheers, Marc Bloom. PS. I hope the ski hill doesn't lose the snow!

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I’m starting to justify the cost if refrigeration!

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Yep, biggest thing in my grow labs is air movement... amazing how many little stagnant places appear if you aren't watching and adjusting. Love the swamp cooler idea! Never would hav expected that in Canada in winter ! lol sweet on the lift truck! things coming along nice Ian! Won't be long... spring feeding again! 🐝

[@leemabey3596]

I've been wondering how you were coping with this. We are supposed to be near 50 this week in what is supposed to be the frigid part of Idaho. At least mine can get out and fly. Mud season is way too early. Always impressed by your adaptation. The spud cellars I'm familiar with down here do use a lot of ventilation to cool when possible and the modern ones have refrigeration as well. I echo we need more winter to get the winter projects done still. Thanks for sharing it helps me with my timing etc - I've learned a lot in the last two years.

[@eem8039]

Very cool idea indeed

[@peaceinvalleygreenhouse6915]

I'm telling you man, talk with greenhouse people they'll point you right. To expand on your idea, add a fibrous mat that fits in the intake and a water recirculation pump... we do it for greenhouses all the time.

[@79PoisonBreaker]

well got to say this year for me in manitoba it felt like winter just arrived a couple weeks ago and is now feels like spring. november to april weather all fit in january hahaha.

[@KongposhApiaries]

Awesome idea Have a good time

[@deanmalkewich2366]

I had the same feeling today, maybe because of the warm weather. Winter is disappearing faster than the winter projects are.

[@ke6gwf]

Looks like you sized it perfectly for the situation. Next step: Refrigeration Equipment! Lol

[@MinnesotaBeekeeper]

A great sideways slant on the California misters, cheaper. Great job Ian. Now if the floor water can be controlled. Better yet a scaled down potato storage building for under a 100K. lol

[@carloscrenz9433]

Hola que nivel cómo cuidan las abejas del frío 😮👏🐝🐝👍☕☕🥶🌨️🤧

[@tomkingsley4398]

Our TV weatherman mentioned the warm weather in Saskatchewan on the evening news. My first thought was how's Ian going to keep those girls in the box? Now I know

[@vwager]

I gotta say, it would have never occurred to me to use a swamp cooler in Manitoba, in January.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

😂😅

[@KaosABC123]

Quick thinking with the swamp cooler. I doubt I would have thought of that. The dandelions are already pushing up from the lawn here and the red maple is ready to pop. The girls are pulling in pollen, so soon.

[@Newberntrains]

might wanna invest in a small refrigeration unit if u are having to knock it down a few degrees to maintain a temp a small system might be the solution if your hives are dying cause they "wake up" too early

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

Bees sure turned around after that nosema treatment... going to treat everyone that's in the queen rearing operation for nosema this spring see if that helps with the black cell.. can't seem to kick it

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I hear you, exactly!!

[@BeekeepingwithTheBeeWhisperer]

Do you have any concerns about the radical increase in room humidity that this no doubt causes. I can see for just the day (in day time hrs) is one thing but if you needed to do this for a week would you be concerned?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I don’t know. That’s the rub. It increased the humidity from 45% to 65%

[@BeekeepingwithTheBeeWhisperer]

I'ld be wary of anything more thean a few days. Fungal issues would be my top concern. Good rule of thumb in my view is to never try something new on your whole stock.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

The alternative is an over heated shed. The room has dried out now and there is no condensation issues on the landing board. RH is back at 40%. Long term exposure like that might create an issue . Not sure if that flash of humidity would of sparked brooding

[@boboften9952]

" Feels like March " Yes the Season is too early . We are getting yet another Cyclone ( Southern Hemisphere , Pacific Ocean ) Yet it is summer time ....

[@vigab9601]

Ian, when are you going to make the big time and be included on the Bee Maid label? I keep checking when I go to the grocery store. So far, no Ian.

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Ha ha ha ha , well, sales are probably strong so don’t change a good thing eh? Lol

[@10peteo]

That's so odd that it's been that warm so far north, same Temps in Illinois. Open the shed up at night possibly ?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Doors open tonight !

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

At the end of the video... 4:45 What is that HUGE strange looking equipment with the single ginormous wheel??? I've never seen anything like it. What's it do??? Thanks!

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

That is our fertilizer floater. (Big tires to run over the soil without compaction) The wings are off and laying in the shop for repair

[@lomavistabeeco]

You need to build a shed with hockey floor capabilities!…just as backup

[@kevinogden4363]

Would the extra humidity potentially cause moisture in the hives?

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

Yes, but that’s the least of my problems as of now :)

[@drjmarkrodgers1428]

Very Inivative

[@jenohrasko6390]

Not so good winter sheed time period! At 8 degrees C and more start the brood. Enought feed, higher humidity, aging bees. You're going to have a tough spring!

[@jenohrasko6390]

...not enough feed... 😢

[@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog]

I’m ready to rock and roll

[@jenohrasko6390]

I am with you in spirit! Just do it! 😉