control room?

[dunkybones]

Appropriate mini split a/c's can handle up to four zones for cooling, but they are pricey. Sometimes multiple units can actually be cheaper. Mini splits don't mess with grow room ventilation, they're more efficient than portables or window units, and require no learning curve like water cooled systems. Water cooled systems are the most efficient by far, but require a more sophisticated install and higher initial investment. Look up "multi-zone mini split a/c" and see if that's what you're looking for. If it's also a heat pump, it'll still work when the temps outside hit freezing and below.

As for partnering up, I couldn't do it without my partner. We split everything 50/50 after costs, I'm production, he is sales. Or, I'm grow, he's go. And he covers everything when I want to get out of town, and it's good to have somebody to bounce ideas off of who isn't an avatar. Then again, we're old friends, so if we were going to kill each other, we'd have done that long ago.

 

[stillsmokin843]

Thanks dunkin

 

[Lazyman]

Actually Dunky, I was just comin in the mention water-cooling. I think it's got its advantages though, such as DIY installation, lower long term costs, and the ability to manage multiple exchangers.

So let's just for the argument say 3 4KW rooms or something. With a single 5 ton chiller, you could run 3 2-fan exchangers, one in each room. Put them all on the same inlet, with a 120V inlet valve to regulate the cold water in. Plug that valve (and the exchanger fans) into a 120V thermostat in the room, and bingo, cooling on demand. Not a bad idea actually, all the return lines can just dump into the reservoir.

That said, unless you are feelin pretty clever it would take more than a little work, and you'll have $15K into it by the time you're done setting it up. But, I've calculated that a grower who can keep the reservoir (100g min.) indoors and cool will see roughly 25% cooling savings per month in the summer months, and around 50% in the wintertime if you can just run the pumps and fans, no chiller compressor at least much of the time. For guys who want to exploit water cooling in snowy-winter areas, just have a reservoir outside filled with an antifreeze mix. Who cares if it gets buried in snow? The heat exchangers and pumps will hardly need to run to cool the grow.

I was doing the math and the power savings will pay for the chiller in approximately 3 years by my calculations, but man, there are a ton of variables.

Or yes, buy one mini-split 2 ton AC for each room, but the costs will start to become comparable up front, but you lose in the long run due to higher electricity consumption.

I'd only do a chiller setup if I was gonna be at that spot undisturbed for 3 years, geothermal for 5, solar for ten! Otherwise you won't have time to recoup your investment, unless you are able to me it to the next grow. Well, I guess it not your grow, so I guess your customer will have to decide. How many rooms have you done yourself?

What are you planning for odor control and a watering system?

 

[dtfsux]

Appropriate mini split a/c's can handle up to four zones for cooling, but they are pricey. Sometimes multiple units can actually be cheaper. Mini splits don't mess with grow room ventilation, they're more efficient than portables or window units, and require no learning curve like water cooled systems.

a mini split is just like a central a/c right? except smaller?

So basically the air handler would sit in the room, and the compressor would sit outside? So all your co2, odor, etc would stay in the room? And the compressor would run all 4 air handlers?

If so, that sounds like a good option

 

[dunkybones]

a mini split is just like a central a/c right? except smaller?

So basically the air handler would sit in the room, and the compressor would sit outside? So all your co2, odor, etc would stay in the room? And the compressor would run all 4 air handlers?

If so, that sounds like a good option

Mini splits are like central a/c's, but smaller and without ductwork, hence no ventilation problems. And though they are small, don't let the pictures fool you, both the indoor and outdoor units are still a couple/few feet long. When you start getting into the multi-zones, and I've only seen up to a four zone capacity, the price really gets up there, like $3,000-$5,000. Sometimes it might be cheaper to have multiple single zones, and considering most of the mini-splits don't like to have runs of over 25 ft. between the indoor and outdoor units (or evaperator and condenser), there might not be much choice in the matter.

Once you get into the price range of the multi-zone mini-splits, water cooling with ice boxes begins to look more attractive.

 

[stillsmokin843]

Thanks and lazy I have helped a few friends set up they recruited me for my contractor skills, but it is only my second set up for myself. I am hopefully gona be able to move and upgrade my setup before long also. Each room I fig would be best with its own carbon scrubber and dehuey.I was gona have hime use the ebb and grow bucket system. With rezs in the control room auto top off like in some of your nice work. Veg on e&f tables. Moms in soil was telling him to try the blumats as I am going to order some for myself also for moms. I was thinkin two duel zone mini splits for cooling. I might do some more resurch I thought I had seenmuti zone central/ ducted a.c systems but will leave it up to him. I know what kinda guy he is and will prob say what ever I think is best lol so I fig id hash it out on ic thanks every one.

 

[Lazyman]

Sounds pretty good man, you gonna do pics and post em here?

 

[stillsmokin843]

Ummm I am still pretty nervious about posting pics but I guess I could consider it.

 

[bipotato]

As long as you don't post 10 megapixel pictures that shows most of your fingerprints very clearly, as I've seen some do, I think you're fine.

 

[stillsmokin843]

So now that I have started on concrete they want a lot more work. The garage is almost 3000 sq ft and the addition will be about 750. What do you guys think about the big multizone central systems with the dampners in duct work. Was a lil worried about two things first smell escaping through ac unit. Second cooling such a big garage then the smaller rooms that would require a lot more cooling since they will have atleast 4800 watts. It would just seem that might not be a very energy effecient way beeing that a unit big enough to cool 3500 sq ft would be running a lot to cool the new rooms. Hope I'm making since

 

[dtfsux]

So now that I have started on concrete they want a lot more work. The garage is almost 3000 sq ft and the addition will be about 750. What do you guys think about the big multizone central systems with the dampners in duct work. Was a lil worried about two things first smell escaping through ac unit. Second cooling such a big garage then the smaller rooms that would require a lot more cooling since they will have atleast 4800 watts. It would just seem that might not be a very energy effecient way beeing that a unit big enough to cool 3500 sq ft would be running a lot to cool the new rooms. Hope I'm making since

is there a typo some where because 3000 sq feet and 4800 watts doesnt add up. I could run 4800 in my bedroom, possibly a walk in closet.