DIY Water Chiller and Deck Box for Your Cold Plunge | How to Build an Ice Bath Water Chiller
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- This in-depth DIY will show you how to build a water chiller with a filter for your cold plunge, including the Ice Barrel 300, Ice Barrel 500, and most other portable Ice Pods.
Also in this video, I will show you how to modify a deck box to house your cold plunge water chiller and keep it protected from the elements. It's pretty slick looking too!
If you're on a budget and want to save some serious money, I'll show you everything you need to construct a water chiller that works and functions just like the super-expensive models.
Overall, this is a project you can tackle in a couple of hours with minimal technical skills required.
#IceBarrel #ColdPlunge #IceBath #waterchiller #diy
✅ LINKS TO GET YOU STARTED BELOW
Cold Plunge/ Ice Bath Affiliates
🥶 ICE BARREL 300
Get 10% off: recovatech.com/recommends/ice...
🥶 Ice Pod
snwbl.io/pod-company/RECOVATECH
🥶 Nurecover
www.nurecover.com/discount/RE...
DIY Water Chiller and Deck Box Shopping List From Video:
Get $200 Off ALL Spartan Chillers with promo code "RT200": warriorwillpower.com/RT200
1/3 HP Chiller: amzn.to/46Ha2ML
Water Pump: amzn.to/45Qm1GZ
Deck Box (30 Gallon): amzn.to/3Eh1O12
Power Strip (Waterproof): amzn.to/47NtEj8
Cable Pass Through Grommets: amzn.to/3s9R5Dm
1/2" Vinyl Hose: amzn.to/47TlLsD
1/2" x 3/4" Barb: amzn.to/3qRj7Ty
1/2" x 3/4" Elbow Barb: amzn.to/483xBAz
3/4 MH x 3/4 MIP Adapter: amzn.to/3OPx3p3
Plumber's Tape: amzn.to/3YUAgbn
Hose Clamps: amzn.to/3uDXAzo
Female Hose Mender: amzn.to/3QVEoWy
Clear Silicon: amzn.to/44sXG8T
Whole House Filter: amzn.to/3PeAff6
Vent Cover: amzn.to/45JltTd
Eden Quick Connect: amzn.to/45J7mx8
5' Hose: amzn.to/3YWK98r
Update: I noticed that the temps inside the box were getting a bit elevated, so I added a second metal vent cover to the left side of the box and that's working brilliantly.
Questions? Reach out! admin@recovatech.com
DIY Water Chiller for Portable Cold Plunge: recovatech.com/diy-water-chil...
DISCLAIMER:
This video is for informational purposes only. Proceed at your own risk. We are not liable for any damages or injury that may result from reading or watching this content.
Some of the links are affiliate links and we may receive a commission if you click them. Thank you if you so choose.
Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro: DIY Water Chiller and Deck Box for Ice Barrel 300
1:53 Materials Needed
3:58 Deck Box DIY Explanation
7:16 DIY Water Chiller Instructions with Water Filter
16:01 Water Chiller and Deck Box Layout
17:22 Connecting The Water Chiller To The Ice Barrel 300
22:26 How To Keep Your Ice Barrel Clean (Chemical to use)
24:28 Wrap Up
Update#1: I noticed that the temps inside the box were getting a bit elevated, so I added a second metal vent cover to the left side of the box and that's working brilliantly.
Update #2: In the video, I mention to use a Sharpie to outline the vent before cutting. Make sure you're cutting about 1/2" inside that line all the way around so you have enough plastic to fasten the vent to.
✅ LINKS TO GET YOU STARTED BELOW
Cold Plunge/ Ice Bath Affiliates
🥶 ICE BARREL 300
Discount code "RECOVATECH", Save $150!
shrsl.com/473as
🥶 Ice Pod
snwbl.io/pod-company/RECOVATECH
🥶 Nurecover
www.nurecover.com/discount/RECOVATECH
🥶 Chill Pod
www.us-chillpod.com/discount/RECOVATECH32356
DIY Water Chiller and Deck Box Shopping List From Video:
Get $200 Off ALL Spartan Chillers with promo code "RT200": spartanicebath.com/RT200
1/3 HP Chiller: discountchillers.store/products/1-3-hp-cold-plunge-chiller
Water Pump: amzn.to/45Qm1GZ
Deck Box (30 Gallon): amzn.to/3Eh1O12
Power Strip (Waterproof): amzn.to/47NtEj8
1/2" Vinyl Hose: amzn.to/47TlLsD
1/2" x 3/4" Barb: amzn.to/3qRj7Ty
1/2" x 3/4" Elbow Barb: amzn.to/483xBAz
3/4 MH x 3/4 MIP Adapter: amzn.to/3OPx3p3
Plumber's Tape: amzn.to/3YUAgbn
Hose Clamps: amzn.to/3qHWMI2
Female Hose Mender: amzn.to/3QVEoWy
Clear Silicon: amzn.to/44sXG8T
Whole House Filter: amzn.to/3PeAff6
Vent Cover: amzn.to/45JltTd
Eden Quick Connect: amzn.to/45J7mx8
5' Hose: amzn.to/3YWK98r
Super clean. Nice setup
awesome content this was really helpful
Glad to hear!
Clean set up ! Would love to see a 1” hoses setup ! 🙏🏾
I think you could replicate everthing shown here and apply it to a more powerful setup. Generally, 1" tubing is used with 1HP chillers and up. So if you had an Active Aqua 1HP model, that already has the 1" chiller ports. Take everything shown here and just apply it to that instead. Might need a larger deck box.
Have you thought about adding ozone or any other filtration? I was considering high flow inline filters for showers with carbon + other filter systems that shouldn't drag the pump too hard. Love what you are doing with this design!
I've thought about it, but that whole house filter does a really good job cleaning out all the particulates. Personally, adding chemicals to the water has been the most effective thing I've found to keep the water crystal clear.
Any recommendations to get the pump working quickly? It doesn’t seem to pump water for hours after a tub cleaning and refilling. It just runs with no water moving and a TON of air in the line. It’s driving me nuts. Thanks!
Did you buy an aqurium chiller and if so, do you still have that cheap pump that came with it? If so, throw that pump into your cold plunge and force water into the water outlet. That extra pressure in the system is sometimes enough to get the pump primed. On the flip side, you could always try to backfill water into the other side of the house and force out any air. Hope that makes sense.
@Ricovatech, I too am interested in doing this without the chiller (for now). I have been looking for grommets like you show in your video and I am coming up short. Any chance you could put a link to those in here too?
So any sort of wall pass through grommet will work. I'd probably go with 1.5" or larger so it's easier to fit the hoses and power cord. Something like this would work: amzn.to/3s9R5Dm
how often do you need to change the filter? It looks like it might be hard to get to? Thanks for any help, plan to do this DIY this weekend.
That would largely depend on how much you're using your cold plunge and how much debris you're tracking in..like grass. Every 1-2 months is realistic. And yes, it's an inconvenience taking it out, but I don't think it takes more than 5 minutes to get it out and back in again. If you come up with a better way, I'm all ears. Always looking for ways to improve!
Great video!! Do you know if I can go with out the filter? I will be changing my water at least once a week. Thanks!
You definitely can. I would at least incorporate a basic sediment filter before the pump just to catch grass, bugs, etc. Something like this: amzn.to/45YdUcI
If you go with one, just make sure it has the appropriate connections for your setup.
@@Recovatech Thanks!
How did you get the top peicd of the pump to fit for that 1/2 vinyl? I’ve tried all the jncluded attachments and o cannot get it through
Do one of two things, use a hair dryer to heat up the hose a little bit or put the tip of the hose in hot water for a few seconds and it will go right on. Hope that helps!
Great video 🤙🏻 much appreciated! How do you think the 1/3 HP chiller will hold up over time w the 300 barrel?
I’ve seen some people swear by only the 1/2 to 1 HP, but I don’t think they were using a barrel with as much insulation as the 300
Great question and that is to be seen as far as long-term reliability. For now, with 90 degree+ temps, it's been doing well (I keep it in the shade). And you are correct, most ice baths need a more powerful chiller because the insulation is subpar. The other factor with the Ice Barrel 300 is that it only holds 77 gallons of water. If it were more, I'm not sure how well the 1/3HP chiller would perform. Like you, I'm curious how the 1/2HP would perform so I went ahead and bought a WiFi-enabled chiller + heater unit from Spartan. It'll be a few weeks before it arrives, but I'm going to put together a comparison video because I think there are a lot of people, like you, that have these same questions.
Awesome look forward to the video thanks again!
have you tried the 1/2 hp vs the 1/3 hp i bought my ice barrel 300 and keep in the garage here in chicago and looking to add a chiller to it, currently i have been adding 5bls of ice a day and water stays as cold as 48f just looking for a easier way. Any help would be awesome
@@lifenfork so I actually bought a 1/2 HP chiller with UV and heat and yeah, it cools faster, but the 1/3 HP worked really well too. If you're on a budget, you can't beat the DIY way I've outlined. Since the Ice Barrel is so well insulated, a larger chiller isn't as important.
Did the Eden hose quick-connects seem to fit well? I'd be nervous about stripping the Ice Barrel threading if theirs is NPT and Eden's is for garden hoses? I thought the threading is a little different for garden hoses from NPT.
The upper requires an adapter and then you can hook up the quick connect. Start the video at 18:40. The bottom spigot doesn't require anything extra. I think this is what I used: amzn.to/48QKRZa
@Recovatech thanks, idk why, but I thought that was a size adapter. Awesome, didn't know they had GHT to NPT.
I did this but do you know why the water wouldn’t be coming out the other end of the filter even after filling up?
I’m guessing you need to prime the pump. First make sure the pump is on the same level as the water coming out of the plunge. If you happen to have the extra small pump that came with the aquarium chiller, plug it in and drop it into you plunge with water. You lace the tip of that pump into the outlet of the plunge and force water into the filter. That should get it going.
I have the Spartan Chiller Pro for my Ice Barrel 300. I've been having issues keeping my water clean for longer than 3 weeks and wonder if the filter they provide is just too small. Is the filter you have in this DIY video compatible withe the Spartan Chiller Pro and do you have any other suggestions to keep the water clean? I do use food grade hydrogen peroxide, sirona oxidizer and their enzyme clarifier.
I just saw this comment after responding to your other comment on the other video. See that response because it applies here.
The pump you have listed is 24v. What did you use for the power source?
It runs on a standard outlet. The Active Aqua 1100 is a good option too.
How low of a temperature did you obtain? Could you get in the 40s with that chiller? The manufacturer states it (only) gets 5-10 cooler than the ambient temp. Thanks! ~Spence
Spence, that's one of the most common questions I get and happy to answer. Yes, all of the 1/3 HP chillers are capable of getting into the 40s. I'm not sure why all of their marketing says into the 60s, but I've personally tested several different models to verify. The only thing that will keep it from getting cold would be if you left it in direct sunlight or didn't allow enough air circulation. Also, insulate your cold plunge! The better the insulation, the smaller the chiller you'll need and the less electricity you'll use.
So this can be used for any cold plunge and not just the Ice Barrel, correct?
That is correct. You might need to make some minor changes, but overall this works really well for most setups. The deck box isn’t necessary. It’s simply a means of tidying up everything and keeping your chiller out of the elements.
2 questions.
1. The water filter - did you use a 5 micron filter?
2. How many GPH is the pump?
I think it’s 20 micron. Too small and it just gets clogged up right away. And the pump in the video is 1050GPH.
Are there Any chillers where you don't have to run it 24/7? Im thinking if for example I plan on taking cold plunges at 7pm, Ill turn on everything 2 hours prior, or have someone do it. And by the time Im ready it should reach desired temp, like how its done with pouring ice.
So you can set the chiller to your desired temp and it will only run when it get's about 3-4 degrees above that temperature. Assuming your cold plunge is well insulated, once you reach your set temp, the chiller shouldn't come on all that often to cool things down again. That said, I've heard a lot of people that will set these up on digital timers and will come on like you just mentioned. That works too. I would just stress the insulation part again. That is the #1 factor when it comes to the effectiveness of these chillers. If it's not insulated, they work so much harder and zap way more power. Just keep that in mind. Thanks for commenting!
What temps did you get the water to?
I've managed to get it into the high 30s, but that was pushing it a bit mid-summer last year. 40-50s is probably ideal. The biggest factor is insulation. Since the Ice Barrel is so well insulated, it maintains temps really well and takes some strain off the chiller.
I’m having a lot of trouble with leaking adapters screwed into the filter. With or without plumbers tape there’s a small leak. Do you need an o-ring to prevent leaking? Can’t figure out what else I’m doing incorrectly.
Couldn't tell ya. Sometimes the tolerances on some of these plastic fittings aren't as exact as they should be, making it harder to seal. If you happen to have an extra o-ring, I'd try that. I know on one set up, I had to wrap the threads with a considerable amount of tape, but that's not the norm.
@@Recovatech looks like considerable amounts of tape is the answer. Emphasis on considerable.lol. Thanks!
Making my box right now and noticed that you can’t see the screen on the chiller. Is that important? Or is it basically on/off and a temperature setting?
For most people, it's a set it and forget it. If you do need to change the temp, tilting the chiller back a little should give you just enough room to see where it's set and and adjust it.
Why did you use a garden hose rather than using the same vinyl tubing connecting the pump and chiller?
The original idea was so that I could use quick connects for the Ice Barrel. Using a hose made it easy. I’ve gone through numerous different builds since. Use the video as a primer and change it to suit your needs. No one way to do it! Thanks for watching.
@@Recovatech thanks! great video. chiller is being delivered Monday, appreciate you sharing with us. is there another video you have that shows what type of build you think is best so far?
How cold does this setup get? Thanks for posting your ideas.
With the 1/3HP chiller, I've managed to get temps down into the high 30s. That's only sustainable if you have a well-insulated plunge like the Ice Barrel 300. Otherwise, you'll work it too hard. Long-term, mid 40s is more realistic.
Do you have to add ice to get the temps that low? Or does the chiller by itself bring it that low?
@@lucci_guns9967 no ice needed! That said, adding ice the first time will reduce the amount of electricity you'll use and minimize wear on the chiller. I know during the summer, the water coming out of my hose is around 70-80 degrees. Adding a bit of ice helps speed things along.
@@Recovatechfollowing up on this question because I just bought the chiller but don’t want to set it all up before asking…. On Amazon the temp range doesn’t go that low. Is there a way to manually override the temp range and lower it additionally so I can get it down to the 30-50 range?
@@FightIntel yeah, I don't know why they advertise that, but all of them can be set down into the 30s without any sort of modification. The digital thermometer, I believe, will go all the way to 32 degrees or something like that. I don't recommend attempting to go that low, but it will do it.
Hi bro, by any chance do you have any issues bringing the water temperature down from 57.2 farenheit. I have the exact chiller that you have but having issues with it getting lower. I am living in a tropical island which is also about 100 degrees outside. Would appreciate your input, thanks mate.
I'm guessing a lot of your issues probably boil down to insulation. If whatever you're pumping the water into isn't keeping the water cool as it recirculates, that's going to stress the chiller quite a bit. If, for example, you're using something like an Ice Pod, they have some insulation, but not great. Try wrapping the outside with an extra layer of foil wrap or similar. Also, get some foam tubing to insulate the hoses.
If the chiller isn't in the shade, move it.
It's been close to 100 degrees around here and with the right placement, insulation, and ventilation, mine is working fine. Able to get in the 30's.
Thank you bro. Really appreciate the reply.
Does the chiller turn off when you reach the desired temp? And how long does the ice barrel hold said temp? I too am in a tropical island, Hawaii. I have a 1/3 hp and over nights it gets to 49. I wrapped it with the foil insulation so that helps a bit but during the day it gets to 51-53 and constantly runs. I do have those ice pod inflatable ones. And it does stay uncovered on my patio with in light exposure from 8-12
@@808kea808 yes, it does turn off when it hits your set temp. I have my Ice Barrel under a covered porch, but I can tell you that it holds the temps really well. I had the chiller off for a day and water temp remained about the same when I went back to check on it. From experience, those Ice Pods are just OK at staying cold. One thing that might make a huge difference is the placement of the chiller itself. If you can keep that in the share with plenty of ventilation, that makes a huge difference. Because if the chiller is running hot, it's going to struggle.
@@Recovatech yea the chiller is under some stairs. I need Io insulate the lines tho. Also how big is your lies? I used the included black ones it comes with. I think if it was bigger it would deliver more cold water at once.
Thanks for the tutorial! Can you explain why the pump is required? Wouldn’t the water be pumped through the chiller regardless if there was a pump or not?
Great question! The chiller doesn't have a built-in pump like some of the higher-end chillers out there. Without it, the water simply wouldn't flow.
@@Recovatech gotcha, thank you!
I think I’m going to try to follow this build for my budget “Cold Pod” inflatable ice bath that I keep inside. One last question - Do you think it would make more sense to mount the filter upside down (bracket towards the bottom of the chiller)? It seems like that would make it easier to remove for cleaning? Right now it seems like there isn’t space to open and remove the filter without pulling the whole unit upwards?
@@steveromm4531 not a bad idea. I installed it that way so that when I open the canister, the old water and sediment would all come gushing out all over the inside. When creating the DIY, I wanted it to simply serve as a primer, to hopefully give ideas as to what's possible. Any way you can make it better, go for it. Just happy to help any way possible.
Ah good point. I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again!
How has this setup held up since you did it?
Functionally, great! If I were to do it again, I'd make a few changes. Instead of the quick-connects and garden hoses, I'd just use barbs and 3/4" hoses instead. Otherwise, I think it's a great option.
Are the hose clamps the right size? I got them but I can’t get them onto the tubing.
You know I try to stay on top of the items I link to, but Amazon is always switching things up. It does link to the right clamps, but defaults to a smaller size. You should get clamps that are 1/2'' to 1-1/16'' amzn.to/3T3jDJn
Apologies for the inconvenience. If you're in a rush, you could return those and grab a few from Home Depot or Lowe's if you have one nearby.
@@RecovatechThank you so much! Sneaky sneaky Amazon!
How cold does this water bath get?
In the high 30's and that's only because the Ice Barrel 300 is very well insulated. That applies to all cold plunges. You don't necessarily need a more powerful chiller if the cold plunge is able to maintain the temps.
shouldn't you have a sediment filter before the pump?
Sure, as you saw in the other videos, I do have a sediment filter before the pump. These videos are constantly evolving and improving. Technically, the Ice Barrel already comes equipped with a type of pre-filter inside the barrel for anything large enough to really impact the functionality of the pump.
I'm not seeing that whole house filter in your video from the link posted.
This is the exact filter from the video. Any other questions, let me know! amzn.to/4a7vYCc
I have everything except the chiller as I’m still waiting to get one. Can I still do this setup and have the filter and pump work without the chiller for now? Do I need any additional hoses?
I think you could definitely make it work without anything extra. In your case, just hook up the pump and filter as I instruct, but attach the return hose directly to the outlet of the filter. That could work for now.
Thanks for your quick response. Hopefully setting up today.
Crap - I think I got too big of a full house filter so the barbs recommended are too small 😢
@@jakeatkins8463 threading for the Barbs should be 3/4" which narrow to 1/2" if you're using a whole house filter.
Yea that’s what I thought. The barns are just not tightening. Is the filter I got have too large of ports?
Whole House Water Filter System Housing 10 x 4.5" for Well Water - w/Wrench, Bracket & Pressure Gauge & Release (1" Port) and Pleated Water Filter - Compatible with DuPont WFHD13001B, Omnifilter BF7
How essential is the deck box? My cold plunge is under my deck and doesn't get that wet, even in heavy rains. It'll get a little wet; but not drenched.
In that case, not essential. I’d have the chiller off the ground if it gets wet, but otherwise you’re fine. This video was just a means of protecting it from direct exposure and/or a way to consolidate everything. Really, I just wanted to give people ideas as to what’s possible and modify as needed. For example, the quick connects are 100% not necessary but serve as an innovative way to quickly take them off. Anyway, let me know if you have any questions.
Where can I find the filter system
All of the items I use in this tutorial are listed in the description. Here's the Amazon link to the filter: amzn.to/3ITp3R9
Thank you. The link that was up there didn’t take me to that direct filter for some reason.
HOW LONG IS THAT POWERCORD?
The one on the powerstrip? 10 Feet.
@@metaluna21 YEA THANKS
How cold is it capable of getting?
I've managed upper 30s under the right conditions (70-80 degree weather, covered, out of direct sunlight). If your cold plunge is really well insulated, like the Ice Barrel 300/500, that temp is a lot easier to obtain and maintain. This is a little out of scope of this video, but I just came across this unreal deal on a 1.5HP chiller on Amazon the other day. About the same price as all of the 1/3HP chillers. Worth considering for sure. amzn.to/458HaNl
@@Recovatech how does that compare to the Spartan cooler?
@@joelthepole12345man, it pretty much beats every deal out there. Most 1.5HP chillers go for $2k or more. Sometimes much more. Add your own filter and pump and you’d have a super powerful setup for about $600.
800$ for the 1.5hp chiller on that link you posted?
@@rainham1 sorry, about a month late. You know how Amazon pricing can be. Or if you don't, it's irratic. I will say this, $800 for a 1.5HP chiller is still a great deal. As I mentioned to the other person, any other 1.5HP chiller easily clears $2000 or close to it.
how much does it cost to run?
Lots of factors to consider. Mainly depends on how often it's running and how hard it's working to achieve the temperature you have set. The 1/3HP chiller is rated at 600W. Assuming that's 0.6kWh, running 24/7, that would likely be about $40 dollars a month. Again, a lot of variables to take into account.
@@Recovatech that'd be co siderably more expensive to run 24/7 in the UK it would work out at £7.20p a day wich at current dollar exchamge is around 8 dollars 92 cents. a day. but it is a lot colder here, a lot colder 🤣 I think I'm gonna have to find an off grid way of making and storing the emergy needed to keep one cold. well through the summer anyway.
Can u just make this for me if I pay you lol
Not a bad side hustle idea! It's actually not too hard to do, I just like to talk a lot 😄
The chiller alone is $800 on sale.
Sometimes you just need to know where to look: recovatech.com/diy-water-chiller-for-cold-plunge/
@davejudy6780 It's half of what you said dude
@@toxomanrod - this chiller only chills to 69 degrees farenheit per the description. How does that work for a cold plunge???