Mycology Chamber
Glass-Coated Copper Coil Heater
Resistive heating element for controlled-environment chambers.
Construction
- Copper coil (tubing or heavy gauge wire), wound to fit chamber base/walls
- Coat with sodium silicate (water glass) - brush or dip, fire at 300-400C
- Multiple coats for pinhole-free insulating glass layer
- Pack coil interior with charcoal granules (carbon = distributed resistor)
- Ceramic wire feedthroughs at each end for electrical contact
Principle
Carbon granules between ceramic contacts form a distributed resistor. Resistance tunable by packing density and granule size (coarser = higher resistance = lower amperage). Glass coating insulates copper from carbon electrically while conducting heat outward. Large thermal mass = stable, even temperature with slow response - ideal for biological chambers.
Humidity Control
Pair heater with dehumidifier for precise RH targeting.
- Heater maintains temperature setpoint
- Dehumidifier pulls down when condensation overshoots
- Hygrostat (DHT22 + ESP32 + relay board) closes the loop if automated control desired
Reishi Cultivation Parameters
| Phase | Temperature | Relative Humidity |
|---|
| Colonization | 21-27C | 70-80% |
| Fruiting | 21-27C | 85-95% |
Materials
- Copper coil (tubing or 10+ gauge wire)
- Sodium silicate (water glass) - hardware store or online
- Charcoal (hardwood lump, crushed to granules)
- Ceramic tubing or beads (electrical feedthrough insulation)
- DHT22 humidity/temp sensor (optional, automation)
- ESP32 + relay module (optional, automation)
- Dehumidifier (small, chamber-appropriate)