Rubbermaid Temp-Pressure-Exhaust help!

[soulflyx2k]

Hey guys, my rubbermaid is up and running, but Im having trouble with temperature and pressure.. It was reaching about 101 degrees when I left it on

I think this may be because there is not enough pressure, and Air is seeping in thru the top of the Lid of the bottom rubbermaid
Do you guys have any ideas on what can be done to fix this? Maybe caulk or just duct tape?

There is a small fan that sits inside of it and points at the lights too

 

[threeeleven]

Is that only 1 intake? You'll need far more than 1 passive intake. My old setup was 2 18-gal rubbermaids cooled with a 120mm pc fan using 4 2" passive intakes... air seriously rushing into each intake.... using 200w of fluoro that setup got about 5-8 degrees over ambient...

Also, use weatherstripping on the lid to make a tighter seal if you arent getting enough suck action through the intake...

 

[soulflyx2k]

Can you post some pics of the intakes and exhaust please? Ive seen your grow before, nice job!

But for this setup.... Theres tonnnns of air getting in from the (lower rubbermaid) Lid-Bottom (of top rubbermaid) connection in the middle there.

Its my belief that its simply not pressurized from all that leakage. And if it was pressurized, air would rapidly leave the unit before it gets hot. So it just kinda sits in there and leaks etc.

Im considering going and getting some caulk and making them air tight there(I can still get in there from just taking lid off)

but i dont know for sure, so i need some help diagnosing and fixing the problem lol.

 

[soulflyx2k]

the duct tape makes the lids a nice tight fit

 

[LocNar]

If your intake is restricting airflow sealing everything up is only going to make the temp situation worse. I'd agree with 311 and say that you need more intakes. When I built my cheap shit 'maid I waaayy under estimated how many intakes I would need.

One way to tell if your intakes are limiting the power of the fan is to listen to the fan. If you can hear the fan motor speed up when you remove the lid then it is definitely being held back.

What's the cfm on that fan?

 

[yeknomssa]

well i've done a couple rubbermaid grows just check out the links in my sig (both my grows and Red_Greenery's). then i'll answer any questions for ya

 

[soulflyx2k]

Well, could you help me diagnose the problem? Why is the temp so high? Is it suction or does it need more intakes?


also:
the fan is 38.6-93.7 CFM... I keep it on max

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999122

 

[JohnnyToke]

your exhaust fan hole is 4+ inches. your intake looks to be 2"-2.5" pvc. your intake needs to be at least double the exhaust.

you need at least 8" - 10" of total intake opening for the size exhaust fan you have. cut a few more intakes and your airflow will increase throughout your cab thus making it easier for your fan to function properly.

your temps will lower with the increased air flow.

once you have added a couple more intakes, if the temps dont lower enough for your liking, get a stronger fan to pull more cfm's.

once you have enough airflow thru your cab, the cab temps should be within 3 - 8 degrees of the ambient temps of the room your cab is sitting in.

regards,
JT

 

[soulflyx2k]

Ok, im going to caulk the Lid/bottom AND add more intakes!
Thanks guys! Ill report back later

 

[soulflyx2k]

where should i put the other PVC? I have another

 

[Guest]

So am I to understand.

Say
I have a 4 inch exhaust, I can put two 4 inch holes to make the 8 inchs? Or can I only do it with one 8 inch hole?

 

[JohnnyToke]

So am I to understand.

Say
I have a 4 inch exhaust, I can put two 4 inch holes to make the 8 inchs? Or can I only do it with one 8 inch hole?

you can do either. just figure the area of your exhaust in inches or cm (if my memory serves me correct from long long ago, I believe the formula is pi x radius x radius) then double that figure in inches or cm for your intake. you could cut 1 larger hole or several smaller holes to get your total intake volume.

2 x 4" inch holes would work fine.

regards,
JT

 

[LocNar]

where should i put the other PVC? I have another

Towards the bottom somewhere. Could put it beside the other one.

 

[yeknomssa]

yep, intake is always twice the exhaust. and you always want to place your intakes as far aways as possible from the exhaust, but so they'll provide adequate ventilation to all plants inside. i find foam weather stripping works well between the rubbermaids (somewhere you'll be moving a lot)