Sealing a window A/C

[U4EA]

This is how you seal a window A/C, crazy monkey style.

Basically involves making sure you have a tight seal around the separation wall, including gaps created by the grooves on the bottom panel. I used expanding foam sealant in a can. Caulk / silicone would be appropriate, as well.

Painted the inside/outside of the grille black.



Painted the insides of the back cover, too. Just in case. The inside parts were already made of black plastic (some are white foam and need painting).



I will plug up the drain pan and install a tube so that it drains from the inside front, which allows for a couple of things: no (possibly smelly) condensed water from back, and possibility of a clean water source if desired.

Was tempted to paint the front intake grille, but felt it wouldn't add to anything.

 

[Hydropimp]

Is you a/c in the wall or in the room?

I have a 10k btu that is in the wall. If i don't do what you did will the smell get out?

I have a fan and charcoal filter. Will be growing in a 4x8 tent in a room.

 

[U4EA]

It's "in the wall" or through a window, if that's what you're asking. The back side is exposed to the outside.

If you don't seal it, yes, the air is exchanged and thus some smell will leak out. You can try putting a flat sheet type of charcoal filter on the intake.

 

[Hydropimp]

Yeah the back sticks out to the street.

But i will grow in a tent with fan and filter combo. Thought about the filter in front.

 

[synchro.surfer]

From what i've read ... as long as you get an AC that recirculates the inner air (most of them do) and you scrub your air you should be fine.

That dripping water thing does have me a little paranoid though

 

[U4EA]

From what i've read ... as long as you get an AC that recirculates the inner air (most of them do) and you scrub your air you should be fine.

What you've read is mostly misconception, misinformation, misunderstanding, and possibly assumption by folks who didn't have a CO2 sniffer. (Or knows how well a real sealed room can hold CO2.)

Even in a hermetically sealed room, CO2 levels will deplete through the unmodified window A/C, regardless of "recirculate mode" or not.

 

[synchro.surfer]

Really?

From what i've read it was always the Non-window A/C's that caused the biggest problems ... although logic tells me that obviously if the back is sticking out the window and air is moving in and out of it that SOMEthing has to be leaking out ... how much , I have no idea.

Any more safety recommendations ??

I just returned my styrofoam window A/C today for an LG one with black plastic all on the inside.

 

[U4EA]

The portable A/C's are especially notorious for that, but I know first-hand in using "recirculate"-featured window units that they also do still leak/exchange air. They're just not sealed that well. Clearly, keeping a tight window of range on gas concentration and keeping every bit of air in wasn't in the scope of the design goals of a low-cost, residential window unit. Those aren't requirements that most non-growers have.

With an empty room and a sniffer, it's real easy to tell if your unit is leaking, and how much/how fast.

 

[synchro.surfer]

Yeah even my new A/C with the black plastic is showing light leaks ... PITA

 

[synchro.surfer]

I wish they had some type of "funk sniffer" to figure out just how much stench is floating around

 

[U4EA]

I painted the inside of the metal back cover black. As well as the front plastic grille.

 

[U4EA]

I wish they had some type of "funk sniffer" to figure out just how much stench is floating around

Wow excellent idea. Only problem is it might be expensive if it were to be accurate and not report too many false positives from non-canna smells.

Could also be used by LEO to "triangulate" smell.

 

[whodat nation]

I cant see your pics but I use a CEA room with two window units and my co2 levels are easily kept at 1500ppm with a 20lb tank. Never heard of this but sounds interesting Im gonna do some research on this subject, thanks.

 

[U4EA]

How long does that 20# tank last you? How large of a room, etc?

 

[whodat nation]

4x4x8 This is actually my first run with the set-up but i have been using co2 for roughly 2 weeks without a monitor and two days with a monitor. I was def using way more gas without the monitor and its still going strong. I will try to let you know when it runs out but you might have to look at my journal to catch it.

 

[synchro.surfer]

Wow excellent idea. Only problem is it might be expensive if it were to be accurate and not report too many false positives from non-canna smells.

Could also be used by LEO to "triangulate" smell.

Like when I fart out all those black bean taco's I ate an hour before.

They can triangulate that shit

 

[Buzzsmirk!]

MINI-SPLIT IS THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR UR PROB!

I agree that the window shakers can leak/mix air i would imagine some brands r better than others for this problem.and as mentioned light leaks too.

invest in a mini-split if u have the means they r the shit

try "LG" , sanyo, or mitsubishi they r the best offferings as for quality on the market.

BUZZ!