Window AC leaking light

[Floridian]

I've been growing about 12 years now and this is my fourth window AC for the flower room.Until now it has not been an issue.I went in the other day during lights off and light was pouring through my AC vents.And of couse from the outside you can see the light too.I haven't grown a herm in I don't know how many years but light leaks are serious issues.I didn't notice it until after 30 days so I just let them go.Has anyone hads this issue before?Its a frigidare 12,000 BTU.If you are using a 12000 BTU window AC and don't have these issues,please let me know what model it is.I believe my last AC was an LG but I'm not sure.Man I cant stress enough how bad even a small light leak or red diode can ruin your grow

 

[Budley Doright]

I think you are blowing this light thing way out of proportion....


I happen to be in the camp..... small light leaks dont matter at all....


A red diode would not even concern me......


Plus even if you had some hermies in this grow....more than likely they wouldnt cause a problem.....

because they would be the nanners type hermie....not the dreaded balls type......

I had a strain that had the perfect flower type hermie....(both sexes in one flower) and it made no seeds.....


Your term 'light pouring' may make this into a larger issue.....


but Im definately not in the small light leaks lead to the end of the world camp....

 

[br26]

moon = light in dark cycle

she been growing for centuries w/ some light in her down time.

but , ya, fix the leak for optimum results

 

[Floridian]

Light during the dark cycle?The light "pours" out on the outside it looks like a spacecraft landed in there.Optimum results?A little light makes a little herm?The camp of not seeing your hand a foot in front of your face is the only camp I've ever belonged to.And I never normally grow herms.It seems that people are telling me I really don't have a problem.Tanks

 

[Jhhnn]

Light during the dark cycle?The light "pours" out on the outside it looks like a spacecraft landed in there.Optimum results?A little light makes a little herm?The camp of not seeing your hand a foot in front of your face is the only camp I've ever belonged to.And I never normally grow herms.It seems that people are telling me I really don't have a problem.Tanks

I don't have the experience to say wrt the plants, but you def have a security problem if light is getting out, particularly if you're using the usual HPS. That orange glow is a dead giveaway.

That needs to be fixed yesterday.

 

[Budley Doright]

Let me qualify a little bit....

I dont grow from seeds excpept rarely....


The seed breeders want you to think.....if you have a hermie its the grower.....


Baloney.......


Hermies .....Almost always are from seed plants...... genetics

 

[br26]

Optimum results = your self not having to worry or whine about something that needs to be fixed .

 

[P-NUT]

Ive had several window units as well and all leaked a little bit of light. Ive found its best to put strains that ive never had herm closest to the ac and more prone plants on the other side of the room. All my ac where lg. My last unit was 12k I believe and I used some expanding foam to seal up the light leaks but on my current 1 I just deal with the leaks cuz there so small and I dont wanna chance ruining my $450 ac. Also I always get smell leakage in window units because of the condensate ive solved that problem with a slow drip of ona liquid diluted in water

 

[Former Guest]

I have a window banger unit that had some light glowing through the foam part inside. I didn't do anything about it and everything was okay but I did read that you can take off the front panel and use reflective tape to cover the foam to black light; its just that I wasn't handy or confident enough to take apart that expensive thing. it also said not to spray paint it because it could cause the foam to melt in case you decide to go that route which really is not needed but if it's keeping you awake at night...reflective tape. now if anyone knows how to keep bugs from traveling through the window units, I'm all ears.

 

[GRIMS]

Create a DIY baffle box out of cardboard or some other sturdy material and attach it to your A/C on the vent. A light trap. The air flow will become slightly less efficient but it will work. Good luck!

GRIMS

 

[tokinblackguy]

I've used the method GRIMS mentions. Also, if it really bothers you or you think it might become an issue or if you just want a little peace of mind, try spray painting the insides black. If you do it during lights off and let a fan blow through it, you can make sure everything is dry as well as minimize over-spray and odor.

 

[BleedgreenMI]

easy fix is to get that carbon filter type stuff that blocks light from your grow shop and either put it in the vents or build a little cardboard box to hold one... they sell something similar at walmart, not as good but much cheaper, it blocks, deflects, or shades most of the light so that it isnt as bad... thing about sunlight is that it doesnt take much to throw off the cycle... it's not the same as some light bulb... gotta get it fixed... and the whole moon thing is different, not an expert but that strong sunlight during the day makes the moon look like nothing to a plant at night, plus you can see the moon but it's not really an intense type of light it's a reflection of the sun so it's just different.

another thing i did to my unit was popped the little directional air flow adjuster things in the vent out and reached into the unit and covered all of the Styrofoam with aluminum tape.

 

[Jhhnn]

Lots of modern window A/C units have internal foam partitions, which let the light through. If you intend to spray paint them, something like krylon fusion would probably be best.

I'd spray a little in the cap, test it on a small area to see if it destroys the foam. Some spray paint will do just that, depending.

 

[KONY]

The older window ac's, and by older I just mean 2-5 years old still had blackout plastic in the cold air return before the foam. However the brand new ones are all super cheap and just crappy foam.

 

[Granger2]

I'm on my 2nd Friedrich. No light leaks. First one chugged away hard at Lat. 30 for 8 years, then fan went out. Replaced with same thing but 14,500 BTU unit. Good luck. -granger

 

[fulltimehuman]

spray paint it three times OR just tape it with the foil tape, the thicker variety.
Spray paint leaks unless thick

 

[OscarLeGrouchII]

The light pours thru the unit or thru the cracks around the edge?
If the edge then i second the vote for expanding foam. If not, Get a minisplit.

 

[grow nerd]

try spray painting the insides black.

Spray paint FTW

Not just because you're black. Actually works (may require some foam though).

 

[Miraculous Meds]

Yeah these guys laid it out for ya. Take off the vents and use foil tape on the white Styrofoam, do not use spray paint, it melts the foam. Then u can put a shield between the ac and the light source, just don't place it right up against ur ac so it can breath, and ur good to go. Get it done asap tho, for security and light stress issues.

 

[Floridian]

Thanks a lot folks you gave me some workable ideas and I really appreciate that.Though these were seedplants I normally grow clones and I'm absolutely sure the same will happen with the clones.Its just too much for every seedplant to start putting out male parts and little immature seed.That hasn't happened to me ever.Good paradise gear too white widow and cheese.The erb remains unaffected I'm happy to say sticky and trich endowed