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A/C Calling HVAC pro. dilemma need help fast!!

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hatchish

New member
ok guys after a failed summer grow due to high temps in my chamber ive decided its time for air conditioning its harvest time im clearing out the room and im about to do a rebuild and i will be expanding the grow by 2k hps so yet again i will be adding more heat to this chamber long story short is i cant use a window ac for security issues this a medical exempt grow for 3 patients and security is number 1. Threw the wall ac is not an option and can not be cutting big holes anywhere of that size. Portable after long research is a no go for electrical reasons meaning that they use to much electricty to cool an area efficiently. Power is .30+ cents a kwh in this location. The central unit in the location is old and is a no go for cooling threw the winter. So iam left with the option of air boxed window ac or mini split systems which are very appealing. Air boxed window ac seems like a boat of problems even when done correctly by diy pros ive researched on this web site. So back to mini split systems i want to run 12,000 btu single unit but i am truthfully not a HVAC cert. pro. Ive seen people ask this question muiltiple times and no one has really gave anyone a full answer on it yet so hear it is.

Can you install the outdoor part of a mini split unit in a inclosed area maybe a barn or a car port with a closed door?

Will a HVAC pro. install a outdoor unit in a inclosed area like a garage?

I want it done correctlly the 3 patients are not healthy psycally and mentally to use a vacum pump and gages to clear the lines :violin:
 
M

mrred

a/cs put off alot of heat so i'd say thats a real bad ideal to have it enclosed somewhere, cant you put the acs in different rooms and run the cold air thru ducts into the grow room?
 
wishbone420

wishbone420

Member
if u have central ac you could just run a extra leg off the main in the attic. or place the whole window unit on 2x4 in a drip pan and run a line from that. those would be your best to keep heat away from grow area.
 
H

hatchish

New member
legging of the homes ac failed and cost to much to run already tried it and the owner wants to have a dedicated ac system for this grow. hoosierdaddy i have considered your air box idea many times but it made me nervious because i read peoples experiences with burning the window units up i guess from improper ventilation it is still possiblity but im not the most skilled when it comes to building stuff but i am willing to try i just figured since this grow will be in this location for years to come mini splits sound appealing and still are in my eyes my first questions still remain.
 
hoosierdaddy

hoosierdaddy

Active member
ICMag Donor
Veteran
I am convinced that there was a good bit of confusion on just how these window AC units are supposed to be modified to work inside an enclosed room. And I get that impression because a tutorial for doing it the completely wrong way has been posted for quite awhile in the DIY link sections. Anyone following that link has had problems I GUARANTEE it. It sets us up for failure, and if it has been followed, that is probably what it has been providing.

Now, my tutorial may also be screwed up....but I have had my 5050btu unit working inside of an enclosed cab, which is inside an enclosed garage, and my unit works as if it were in a window. Better actually, since the area to cool is so small, it only runs for a very few minutes out of an hour.

The key is to fully understand the dynamics behind the concept, and then it is only a matter of making the thing fit to your situation.

And there is the economy of the thing...
I can burn up 3 of the AC units that I am using, and not spend the money of one marginal duty, split...which is both expensive to own and operate.
 
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H

hatchish

New member
so the bigger the unit is, more air needs to be provided and exhausted is all iam gathering i figured i would need atleast 12,000btus so that is double your set up i would just double up on fan cfm?
 
hoosierdaddy

hoosierdaddy

Active member
ICMag Donor
Veteran
You are a little vague as to the size and how your grow is equipped. But I assume that you have done the figures and the 12Kbtu is actually what you need?

Double the unit does not really mean double the heat. The heat will be essentially the same from small and large units, it will only be the fan and air path size that will change.

The AC already has a fan, and what you will need to do is help that fan with an additional fan. How much you need to help the existing fan depends on how big your ductwork is. If you do not choke down the air path exiting the unit, then you will need no additional fan at all.

And it is not just as simple as doubling the CFM of the fan. No matter what power the fan is, it needs to have proper intake air to function well.
The secret is to make sure you have plenty of intake, as well as exhaust.
 
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J

julsbagell

Member
Get the mini split youll be glad you did and yes you can have it in an enclosed area as long as its not to small and doesnt get really hot in there. Why inside though? they are very quiet about half as loud as central air unit.
 
trademanny

trademanny

Member
julsbagell said:
Get the mini split youll be glad you did and yes you can have it in an enclosed area as long as its not to small and doesnt get really hot in there. Why inside though? they are very quiet about half as loud as central air unit.
Click to expand...

I would recommend against this. Here's the thought process on it:

You want it inside... for stealth I assume? Don't want folks seeing/hearing it. The compressor/condenser side of a split system is typically outside as it needs to dissipate the heat. If you have it in a room that is insulated enough to block the sound, then I would assume it may hold a lot of heat as well.

If the inside-location you intend to put it is not insulated to that point, and you're not worried about sound, only sight, then yes it should work out, but I would highly recommend against putting an A/C compressor in an insulated room. Remember, these aren't vortex fans that cool themselves with the air they are moving (that's why you can enclose a vortex in a box.)

anyways... :2cents:
 
H

hatchish

New member
sorry for being vague on the subject i plan on 3k hps maybe plus 400w hps also all of the bulbs will be in 6inch ducted hoods. I planned on installing the condenser in the garage which borders the room, also where the ballasts are placed. The garage is not insulated at all and its a two car garage so its not to small. The temps range from 30 deg being the low of winter to summertime high of 115 tops so thats also is a factor. Im still trimming the current yeild which was still 2+ maybe 3p 1400w hps with high temps 90+ so iam not to upset :rasta: but thanks for the input guys. Iam taking everyones suggestions into my decision on this.
 
H

Hydropimp

Active member
Veteran
I have a 3.5 ton mini split its the way to go just need to install it. I saw a 2 ton mini yesterday and you cant here that thing when its running.

Can someone post pics of there outside unit.
 
TGT

TGT

Tom 'Green' Thumb
Veteran
Actually there is a lot of bad publicity of portable AC's and usually it is justified. I have done a lot of research and looking at the workings of many different models and I have found that about 5% of the portables on the market with the double hose system actually work almost as well as a window unit. I have a Danby unit that is 10,000 BTU's and it is doing an excellent job where I once had a 10,000 BTU window unit previously. The difference in temperature is minute even on the hottest of days. So you are correct in thinking that portables are not very good, but I have to say there is some models that actually work great. I have spent a lot of time looking at the internals of different models and most of the reasons the portables don't work as good is because of the manufacturer skimping on build quality. Sometimes a portable can be very helpful and not to mention much cheaper than a mini-split system with less hasstle to install. The model I have I am not sure of but can find out the exact one for you if you like. I've posted a picture also. The unit in the picture is cooling a basement that has 5 - 1000 watt HPS and the temperature in the hottest days of summer never got over 80 degree's celcius. Not too bad for a 10,000 watt portable with outside tempetatures reaching up to 100 degree's farenheight.








TGT
 
H

hatchish

New member
well said TGT but iam going to have to pick your braIn abit i have one question for you what do you think is better about your dual hose portable a/c what quality do you think makes it work better and be specific if possible because iam open to all options to get this done properly.
 
S

stillsmokin843

Member
good luck as far as the other issiues with heat in the garage im not saying its a good idea to put a unit in there cause i really dont know, but if the heat is the only reason pepole say that then ya could get thermostat controlled vent in the garage roof to controll any heat issiues from ballest and units in the garage. good luck
 
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