placing an outdoor condensing unit inside and venting out room

[stealth96]

I have access to a 3 ton split system with a air handler but i can't put the outdoor condensing unit outside for security reasons. I want to build a 5x5 room for it and vent it out using inline fans. I heard 1000 cfm per ton somewhere but do u really need that much? Does the intake fan have to be the same size or can I go smaller?

 

[Hydrolized]

You window open enough, and ducting to it to move 2000-3000 CFM won't be a security issue? Also the sound of a condenser running coming from the window? In a lot of cases by doing something to be less conspicuous actually makes it look more shady. Not sure what your security issue is with have a totally normal looking condenser outside...but I feel like the cost of big inline fans, ducting, and the work involved, along with the minimal gain of "stealth"...is just not worth it for something like this.

If you calculate the pressure loss of your ducting you might be able to get away with just using the existing condenser fan along with a smaller intake fan to help it out...but thats with only a few feet of 18" or 20" duct installed...which brings you back to the window having to be open quite a bit, and noise.

 

[stealth96]

The unit will go in the basement. I plan on building a sound proof room for it. I can't have it out side because I already have one for the house and houses in neighborhood are to small for 2 units. Also im in michigan so it would look suspicious running ac in the winter. There are 2 small 12''x24'' windows right above where the unit will be put in the basement. I was thinking a 16'' fan with a duct splitter to 2 10'' vents for the exhaust and a 10'' fan for the intake. Is this over kill?

 

[Hydrolized]

Having an intake fan rated at less than half the output and almost a third of the cross sectional area of your exhaust fan isn't really going to boost your flow that much. You realize that by using a 16" and 10" fan your going to be using an extra 2kW of power just in fans? That's an extra pound a month yield your potentially losing out on just to be "less shady". Even if the room is sound proof, your still going to have noise coming out of the windows......use duct silencers? Say goodbye to your flow. By the time you get it quiet enough, your not going to be moving enough air.

I'm sure it's easier for me to say since I'm not the one taking the risk here, but honestly, two units would not even be looked at twice, by anyone. Also, running in winter? There a quite a few heat pump units that run all summer, then run all winter also. Like I said in the above post, I think you are looking at these "shady" things with a microscope....of course they seem obviously blatant to YOU since you know what they are really for....but to almost everyone else they are not screaming "I GROW POT", they are just innocuous everyday things.

If your worried about people that "know what they are looking for" seeing, well if those people are looking, your already fucked.

Not trying to bash your idea, it is a stealthy, good idea that could work....but cost vs return vs necessity just does not pan out when I look at this equation.

 

[eyes]

Having an intake fan rated at less than half the output and almost a third of the cross sectional area of your exhaust fan isn't really going to boost your flow that much. You realize that by using a 16" and 10" fan your going to be using an extra 2kW of power just in fans? That's an extra pound a month yield your potentially losing out on just to be "less shady". Even if the room is sound proof, your still going to have noise coming out of the windows......use duct silencers? Say goodbye to your flow. By the time you get it quiet enough, your not going to be moving enough air.

I'm sure it's easier for me to say since I'm not the one taking the risk here, but honestly, two units would not even be looked at twice, by anyone. Also, running in winter? There a quite a few heat pump units that run all summer, then run all winter also. Like I said in the above post, I think you are looking at these "shady" things with a microscope....of course they seem obviously blatant to YOU since you know what they are really for....but to almost everyone else they are not screaming "I GROW POT", they are just innocuous everyday things.

If your worried about people that "know what they are looking for" seeing, well if those people are looking, your already fucked.

Not trying to bash your idea, it is a stealthy, good idea that could work....but cost vs return vs necessity just does not pan out when I look at this equation.

this is good advice right here. couldnt of said it better myself. i had quite a few 25 ks freeze up inside. these things need heat removal period. u just tell them if they ask u added a unit for heat for winter.

 

[olderthanbefore]

Heat pumps start working poorly at 30 degrees, and condensers for normal AC can freeze up with outside cold temps. My suggestion is to vent your lights, and use a portable inside A.C.
As for venting the lights and AC; run the vent into a small enclosed area and have a can filter doing the out venting to stop odor. The filter fan noise can be heard if you don't use a muffler on it.

 

[BCMaster]

Yes you can do it. Speaking from experience I have done so with comfort air 5 tonne units multiple occasions. Keep in mind most units have a 140 degree F thermal shutoff

 

[dragunn]

im using an 8 inch td-silent with 420 cfm to cool a two ton a/c box,15 feet of duct.no problems yet(not to hot).a 16 inch vortex or can fan with a speed controller would work and be a lot more silent.

 

[stealth96]

thank you everyone for your help.BCmaster what size fans did you use for your 5 ton? got any suggestions on what size for my 3 ton?

 

[PuReKnOwLeDgE]

I run a 5 ton excel stealth that can run in -35F or lower. The stealth unit has the condenser motor inside your house in a box. The fan and coils go outside just like any central air unit, and the fan is regulated depending on the temps. The fan only outside is pretty damn queit, especially in the cold becasue the fan goes slow keeping the outside unit warm. The condensor motor box doesn't get warm and even quieter then having a normal condensor/fan combo inside your house. Do be warned, the intial inrush of voltage on these units are big depending on the BTU you get, just like any central air unit. My unit manufacture says 120amps of in-rush, min was tested at 105 amps.

Excel stealth could solve, ALL your problems, for a price of course. Nice to see a fellow Michigander.

Here is the companys link, you can find price quotes at BGHYDRO.com:

The black box is the motor, the outside unit is SUPER light weight and quiet. Everything is pre-charged like a mini split, good warranty, AWESOME customer service.

http://www.excelair.ca/stealthseries.html

 

[BCMaster]

thank you everyone for your help.BCmaster what size fans did you use for your 5 ton? got any suggestions on what size for my 3 ton?

We didn't use any fans. Just stuck that sucker in a room with an open window and let her rip! lol

But If I had to vent it I would use a 2000cfm furnace fan

 

[eyes]

here ya go..... therse can be had at grainger. i had one of these b4 and they are strong
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[Billy104]

About to pull the trigger on 5 tone stealth model from excel air. My only concern is noise. Any input on how noisy the outside condenser is on this unit?

 

[eebbnflow]

The unit will go in the basement. I plan on building a sound proof room for it. I can't have it out side because I already have one for the house and houses in neighborhood are to small for 2 units. Also im in michigan so it would look suspicious running ac in the winter. There are 2 small 12''x24'' windows right above where the unit will be put in the basement. I was thinking a 16'' fan with a duct splitter to 2 10'' vents for the exhaust and a 10'' fan for the intake. Is this over kill?

I had the same security concern before . I have house AC . then split ac plus eco plus chiller out there . I didt like it either so I built lattice fence and planted vines to cover it up . it is noisy abit though . cheaper ACs are noisy Mitubishi is the best IMO , they are quiet . you get what you pay for

 

[Wendull C.]

don't do it man. I thought I was slick with two four tons hidden inside and have a big scar on my ass from where it bit me.

 

[eebbnflow]

don't do it man. I thought I was slick with two four tons hidden inside and have a big scar on my ass from where it bit me.

please explain

 

[jav2043]

I have 2 ton mini split condensor sitting indoors in front of a window with a airking window fan helping exhaust air with no problems. Unit doesn't make much noise and no heat issues.

 

[Billy104]

pure knowledge can you pm me regarding stealth model or reply on my thread 5 tone excel ac stealth model in grow room design? I don't have enough posts to pm