# Mycology Chamber

## Glass-Coated Copper Coil Heater

Resistive heating element for controlled-environment chambers.

### Construction

1. Copper coil (tubing or heavy gauge wire), wound to fit chamber base/walls
2. Coat with sodium silicate (water glass) - brush or dip, fire at 300-400C
3. Multiple coats for pinhole-free insulating glass layer
4. Pack coil interior with charcoal granules (carbon = distributed resistor)
5. 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)