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vfb123


Registered: 12/23/22
Posts: 69
Loc: Canada
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THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK 6
#28669208 - 02/21/24 06:24 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK
Two of the biggest benefits of an induction coil are better sterilization efficiency with less contam vectors.

I love butane torches. They heat up dabs, light my joint on the windiest days, are handy for sterilizing scalpel blades... I've used the same torch for dabs that I use to heat my scalpel blades between agar transfers since the start. One thing I've always found awkward about the process was having to use one hand to hold my non-sterile torch, and the other to hold the scalpel in place. Some people just keep their torch lit for the entire SAB session to achieve one-handed scalpel sterilization, my torch has a locking feature but it doesn't stay lit longer than 10 - 15 secs.
I can flick the induction coil on with the tip of a finger, have a glowing red scalpel blade in 3 seconds and be back in the SAB, all while I'm holding a petri dish with my left hand.
First off credit where its due: Leon Forest is the one who inspired me to go down this rabbit hole. Without their thread I would have never considered adding this to my SAB. There was just a few things I wanted to clarify for people unfamiliar with this stuff, that wasn't mentioned in Leon's original post.
PARTS LIST ZVS board $24.58 power supply: $23.87 magnet wire: $16.36 standoffs: $13.99 switch: $9.49 12awg wire: $3.90 female spade connector: $3.38 power cable: $0
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$105.77 after sales tax.
Any 1000w 20a 30v ZVS board you find on amazon will work, they're all pretty much the same as long as they don't have a fan. Just keep in mind you get what you pay for. The power supply is a 24v 20a 480W unit which is what makes our DIY induction coil stronger than the pre built models. I added a listing for 16awg magnet wire but if you can get it cheaper locally go for it. You wont use anywhere near the entire roll for this project. 12awg copper wire is sold by the meter @ home depot which is useful for projects like this. Don't actually buy a power cable because you'll be able to salvage one off literally any broken 3 pronged 110v appliance. the one I'm using is 3x18awg. You can pick up the rocker switch while you're at home depot along with the female spade connectors. the ZVS board comes with 4 standoffs but for what I'm doing I needed more of them screwed together for height.
OPTIONAL: If you're looking for a pair of carbon steel tweezers that'll work with the induction coil here you go.
 (Excelta - 3C-SE - Tweezers - Very Fine Point - Straight - One Star - Carbon Steel) $13.28
STEPS 1. WIND WORK COIL use something about 25mm diameter, 10 turns, keep spacing consistent. A pair of needle nose pliers helps. ends of the coil should comfortably fit in the screw connectors without being under tension.
2. REMOVE ENAMEL COATING FROM TIPS I sanded ~3/4" worth of enamel coating off the two ends of the coil, then checked for sustained continuity as I dragged the probes of my multimeter across the sanded portion of wire
3. SOLDER THE COIL TO THE BOARD Dip the ends in flux, it doesn't matter which way the coil is facing, flip the board upside down and add some solder to the pins underneath the "OUTPUT" screw connectors, lay the ends of the coil over the fresh solder and apply heat with the tip of your soldering iron. Once you see it liquify and the wire sink down into it, feed some more solder and then move the soldering iron away, keeping the tip of the coil still until the molten solder hardens. Repeat with the other end of the coil. The coil can now be bent to your desired angle using needle nose pliers.

Using the screw connectors isn't an option they just melt immediately.
4. PREPARE THE MOUNTING PANEL I used 1/8" acrylic panel, you can use pretty much anything as long as its 1/8" thick. the panel is bolted to the side of my SAB by 4 bolts with 12 nuts. Drill through holes for the bolts and standoffs, and a rectangle hole for your switch. The standoffs should be tall enough to leave an air gap between the panel and the components of the zvs board. Screw the standoffs to the panel and mount the whole thing to the side of your SAB, leave the switch out for now.

This is what it should look like. (pics taken after wiring)
5. WIRE UP POWER SUPPLY & ZVS
Power cable for PSU: black = live, white = neutral, green = ground
Power to ZVS: Important note, since the power supply I'm using has a cooling fan, I routed it to a box outside the room. The 12awg wire goes out a hole in the side of the box, underneath the door, to the switch & ZVS. You could easily add disconnects to the wires as they go under the door, for the ability to unplug and store the box in your cultivation room when its not in use.

While I'm using my Still Air Box I do things to avoid airflow in the room like shutting off my computer, closing the air vent, throwing a towel under the door, the last thing I'd want in the room with me is that power supply and its fan constantly running.
+v (black wire) from PSU goes to one pole on the switch, out the other and into "VCC" on the ZVS board. It's easier to feed the wires through the switch hole as you crimp on the disconnects and plug them into the switch, then click the switch into place after the wires are installed.
-v (white wire) from PSU goes to "GND" on the ZVS board
What the PSU should look like:

6. TEST IT OUT


-Unplug PSU when not in use -Don't run the circuit with no load -Don't run the circuit for longer than 30 seconds -Don't attempt to heat anything larger than cultivation tools (scalpels, tweezers, etc.) -ONLY ferrous metals such as carbon steel will heat up, so no stainless.
I never could've guessed how much time this tool would save me during transfers, hopefully this thread helps some people out. Let me know if I missed anything!
Looking for a sturdier, more roomy SAB? check out my "XL SAB FOR $100" thread.
Edited by vfb123 (03/29/24 04:22 PM)
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DeviantTex
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Registered: 09/03/23
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: vfb123] 1
#28669377 - 02/21/24 08:53 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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I'm gonna stick with my camp stove, but this is pretty awesome. Nice work.
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First tub. GT LI to rye 1/12. 4:1 coir 1/30. First harvest 2/19
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vfb123


Registered: 12/23/22
Posts: 69
Loc: Canada
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: DeviantTex]
#28669453 - 02/21/24 09:40 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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A camp stove? Nice, Whatever works.
-------------------- -vfb123
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morningWood
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: vfb123] 1
#28669468 - 02/21/24 09:56 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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-------------------- π
π΄π°πΌ π½π΄π
π²πΎ If you already know everything, you can't learn anything.
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vfb123


Registered: 12/23/22
Posts: 69
Loc: Canada
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: morningWood]
#28669518 - 02/21/24 10:27 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Nice coil man, but the reason I mounted my coil on the outside of my SAB was because differential temperature causes air currents. Having a concentrated heat source inside the SAB could be messing up your still air, this is from wikipedia: Temperature differences can cause air currents because warmer air is less dense than cooler air, causing the warmer air to appear "lighter." Thus, if the warm air is under the cool air, air currents will form as they exchange places.
But I can't see it being a huge issue if you're waiting a bit for the air to settle after you use it, I mean, you do have to wait for the tool to cool down so you probably are.
-------------------- -vfb123
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Skropi
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: vfb123] 2
#28669533 - 02/21/24 10:33 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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I would never ever have any heat source inside my SAB. I even wear a mask, so as not to create unnecessary turbulence with my breath. Sterilisation is done outside the SAB.
-------------------- αΌΞ½Ξ΄ΟΞ± ΞΌΞΏΞΉ αΌΞ½Ξ½Ξ΅ΟΞ΅, ΞΞΏαΏ¦ΟΞ±, ΟΞΏΞ»ΟΟΟΞΏΟΞΏΞ½
Edited by Skropi (02/21/24 10:33 AM)
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elasticaltiger
Like Tigers in Coitus




Registered: 06/24/13
Posts: 8,438
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: Skropi] 2
#28669542 - 02/21/24 10:41 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Believe it or not. This was exactly the tek I was looking for.
-------------------- First time growing cakes? DON'T make a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber The Shmuvbox. - The Old TC's Like it Afraid to Start Growing From Your Own Prints? Drop it Like a Tiger! No Pouring. No Syringes. No Cutting. No flaming. No Contamination. No Bullshit. "The best thing to do while your waiting is to start more stuff. I usually got so much happening that I have tossed projects simply because I didn't have time for them. -Pastywhite QFT Pastywhite's Easy Agar Tek (PastyPlates) Tiger Drop Video Demos By munchauzen Van Gogh wouldβve sold more than one painting if heβd put tigers in them.βBill Watterson EZEKIEL 23:20
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morningWood
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I hear what you guys are saying, I had thought about it. I think I'm more prone to contam if I'm pulling my hands in and out of the box to sterile as opposed to having the coil run for 5 seconds. My hands don't leave the box. I could mount something over it if I'm really concerned.
-------------------- π
π΄π°πΌ π½π΄π
π²πΎ If you already know everything, you can't learn anything.
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LadysKnight
Hello Ladies


Registered: 10/09/15
Posts: 2,034
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: Skropi]
#28669559 - 02/21/24 10:55 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Some people put a hole in the side/back of the sab just big enough to sterilize a scalpel
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vfb123


Registered: 12/23/22
Posts: 69
Loc: Canada
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: morningWood]
#28669571 - 02/21/24 11:04 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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As long as you're letting whatever currents are created by the temperature differential settle before doing sterile work you should be perfectly fine.
But if your arm holes are sufficiently large enough you should be able to sterilize your scalpel outside and return your arms to the SAB without affecting the air currents.
-------------------- -vfb123
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morningWood
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: vfb123] 1
#28669591 - 02/21/24 11:24 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Just a different way to skin the cat. Either way I'm a big fan of induction coils, with the foot pedal it's super convenient. I just wish it did needles.
-------------------- π
π΄π°πΌ π½π΄π
π²πΎ If you already know everything, you can't learn anything.
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Mycoplex
Sporocarp



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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: morningWood] 1
#28669603 - 02/21/24 11:33 AM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Thanks for putting this writeup together. I have a ZVS board and was looking to put this together a couple years ago but got discouraged because I found it unnecessarily complicated and modular. For example why wouldn't the ZVS circuit ship with a power supply to begin with, given that it's useless without one? Is it because people might want to use power supplies of varying strength? Why wouldn't the whole thing just come in a kit to make this whole process easier?
Just questions that were running through my head when I originally set out to try this, but I'll give it another shot.
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pacmanbreed


Registered: 10/12/16
Posts: 3,829
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 I was planing to salvage parts of cfl bulb's circuit boards for this, but needed a higher wattage, i think it may work well for syringe needles.
Edited by pacmanbreed (02/21/24 12:20 PM)
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Hysteria
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: vfb123] 1
#28669864 - 02/21/24 02:31 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Very cool writeup! But serious question here. Most people that have the hundred and change to do this project also have $150 they could spend on a desktop infrared setup with less hassle. Any reason why one wouldn't just do that, apart from love of tinkering (nothing wrong with that!)?
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morningWood
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: Hysteria] 1
#28669918 - 02/21/24 03:22 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Tinkering is a thing for me, that and I was able to assemble mine for $40. I couldn't bring myself to spend $150 on one. But I sure like using itπ. The one in the OP is 24v tho, bet that thing chooches.
-------------------- π
π΄π°πΌ π½π΄π
π²πΎ If you already know everything, you can't learn anything.
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elasticaltiger
Like Tigers in Coitus




Registered: 06/24/13
Posts: 8,438
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: Hysteria]
#28669919 - 02/21/24 03:22 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Quote:
Hysteria said: Very cool writeup! But serious question here. Most people that have the hundred and change to do this project also have $150 they could spend on a desktop infrared setup with less hassle. Any reason why one wouldn't just do that, apart from love of tinkering (nothing wrong with that!)?
Where did you see one for 150? All the models i've seen are 250 - 300$
-------------------- First time growing cakes? DON'T make a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber The Shmuvbox. - The Old TC's Like it Afraid to Start Growing From Your Own Prints? Drop it Like a Tiger! No Pouring. No Syringes. No Cutting. No flaming. No Contamination. No Bullshit. "The best thing to do while your waiting is to start more stuff. I usually got so much happening that I have tossed projects simply because I didn't have time for them. -Pastywhite QFT Pastywhite's Easy Agar Tek (PastyPlates) Tiger Drop Video Demos By munchauzen Van Gogh wouldβve sold more than one painting if heβd put tigers in them.βBill Watterson EZEKIEL 23:20
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BeefSupremeJr
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personally i love using a coil. mines foot pedal activated. To me it seems safer than infrared, and vastly safter than using flame. being that alcohol will ignite at around 700 degrees, having a heat source around alcohol at all just makes my eye twitch. i mean, the blade itself i suppose reaches a thousand degrrees or so with a coil which could potentiallly ignite iso but ive never once had an indicent.
i like coils. foot pedal is the move tho. i dont like touching things when im in the mode
Edited by BeefSupremeJr (02/21/24 03:52 PM)
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Hysteria
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BeefSupremeJr
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: Hysteria] 2
#28669954 - 02/21/24 03:57 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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sure that works and im sure its safe as hell. heres what i have for around the same price. its a cool small business and i like to support that sort of thing.
https://mycocoil.com/shop/ols/products/mycocoil-induction-heater-myc-ndc-htr1
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Hysteria
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Re: THE Induction Coil Sterilizer TEK [Re: BeefSupremeJr]
#28669968 - 02/21/24 04:06 PM (4 months, 3 days ago) |
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Thanks for that link, beef! So the 150 is a foot switch and 190 if you choose foot pedal? Wouldn't they both be just as easy to use, button vs pedal?
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