Cooling air from pump....

[William1976]

Hello everyone, I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried running the hoses from the air pump through a cooler of ice water before they go into the bucket? It seems to me that you can insulate the bucket all you want but ultimately you will never get the water cooler than the air your pumping in. I have read other threads on cooling but I just need a few degrees cooler. Don't want to buy a fridge or water chiller or any of that stuff, just something simple and small. What do you think?

 

[Vumar]

Doesn't work. Even my DIY chiller (made from a college fridge and 100' of garden hose) didn't work well at all. If you need to cool water the best way is a water chiller. Many in DWC will fight this and try to get around it but in my experience a good chiller is worth it's weight in gold. There isn't much heat exchange between the air and the water for the "cold air bubbles" to effectively do anything.

 

[William1976]

" I don't want to buy a fridge or water chiller or any of that stuff ", sorry if I did not make that clear enough. I know a chiller would work but because of space and the fact that I am already at 80% electrical load on the circuit I can not afford to go that route. That is why I said "I do not want a chiller". Thank you for your time.

 

[Vumar]

Okay, good luck wasting the money you don't have on methods that don't work.

I answered your question. "has anyone ever.." well yes I have. It doesn't work. Don't get mad because you want to half ass your way around a problem. The cold air intake for an air pump won't cool water. Just trying to save you time.

 

[firsttimeARE]

Since air pumps draw air thats around the pump you could move the air pump outside the room where its presumably colder. Whatever radiant heat transfers thru the tubing into the air would be neglible.

That sounds like the easiest and cheapeaat solution.

I doubt it would affect things that much.

 

[ttystikk]

Okay, good luck wasting the money you don't have on methods that don't work.

I answered your question. "has anyone ever.." well yes I have. It doesn't work. Don't get mad because you want to half ass your way around a problem. The cold air intake for an air pump won't cool water. Just trying to save you time.

You can lead people to water... but you can't make them drink.

 

[ttystikk]

Since air pumps draw air thats around the pump you could move the air pump outside the room where its presumably colder. Whatever radiant heat transfers thru the tubing into the air would be neglible.

That sounds like the easiest and cheapeaat solution.

I doubt it would affect things that much.

Not gonna work. Air pumps compress air- which like any gas, heats when compressed.

If he wants a cheap solution, I suggest ebb n flood tables.

 

[dbkick]

I like this. No name calling and hatred that a good portion of this forum is made up of. Not in the fucking hydro section, nope.
Nothing but helpful info, thanks.

 

[Vumar]

We need a theme song...... What do you think of the Pokemon theme song? or the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers?

Just imagine hearing that everytime you scroll through the different threads. Maybe some Mortal Kombat theme music.

 

[Vumar]

That's just a personal favorite of mine. I think I cried after hearing this for the first time in almost 10 years.

 

[jijiandfarmgang]

Since air pumps draw air thats around the pump you could move the air pump outside the room where its presumably colder. Whatever radiant heat transfers thru the tubing into the air would be neglible.

That sounds like the easiest and cheapeaat solution.

I doubt it would affect things that much.

I've did this, and it works pretty well. Errr well in winter when temps are less than 30f......

- Jiji

 

[redi jedi]

. Air pumps compress air- which like any gas, heats when compressed.

Air pumps are called pumps because they are not compressors...

Theres a big difference.

 

[Vumar]

Air pumps are called pumps because they are not compressors...

Theres a big difference.

So my air pump that uses a piston isn't compressing anything?


Anyone have an average idea of how many BTUs I would need to comfortably cool a grow room thats 4x8 with 2,000 watts of HID (air cooled lights w/chiller for rdwc)? Assuming temperature outside is only 80-85 degrees. I need a portable A/C but don't have experience with brands or design types.


@firsttimeARE , @ttystikk , @dbkick , @jijiandfarmgang - What're you guys running for lights, AC, and chillers?

 

[redi jedi]

So my air pump that uses a piston isn't compressing anything?


Anyone have an average idea of how many BTUs I would need to comfortably cool a grow room thats 4x8 with 2,000 watts of HID (air cooled lights w/chiller for rdwc)? Assuming temperature outside is only 80-85 degrees. I need a portable A/C but don't have experience with brands or design types.


@firsttimeARE , @ttystikk , @dbkick , @jijiandfarmgang - What're you guys running for lights, AC, and chillers?

Wave your hand in front of your face....feel the air?...would you call it compressed? Thats the difference between an air pump and a compressor.

If your air pump is hot to the touch...it has nothing to do with air being compressed by the pump...its because of resistance to flow..either the tubing run is way too long or the airstones are too restrictive..aka the air can not escape the stone fast enough.

 

[Vumar]

Wave your hand in front of face....feel the air?...would you call it compressed? Thats the difference between an air pump and a compressor.

I don't want to sound like a complete asshole here but I do believe air "pumps" do compress air to move it / build up pressure to force the air through the tubing/stone. Why else would it have a piston? I agree it doesnt hold compressed air in a tank like a nail gun compressor but I do believe you are mistaken.

 

[dbkick]

air puimp doesn't really have a piston that I'm aware of, surely there are some but then they would probably be considered compressors , has a diaphragm. An air pump that uses a piston would probably require oil .
Whatever the case it's a minor issue.

 

[Vumar]

This is the description from an air pump that I use.


Commercial Air 1 - 18 watts Single outlet - 1/4in Tubing

Convenient to operate without oil or much noise. Cylinders and pistons are made of excellent materials, making the pump strong, durable. There is very little wear after long periods of operation. Will meet many requirements of pumps with air dividers from four to twenty-two outlets. Widely used to provide oxygen in aquariums, fish farms & hydroponic systems.

• Commercial grade
• Electromagnetic air pump
• High-quality die cast aluminum housing
• No maintenance or lubrication required
• High output and high pressure

 

[dbkick]

Sometimes those descriptions are written by folks that english just isn't their first language but I don't know.

 

[dbkick]

take that fucker apart! I've got a couple I need to take apart and see about replacing diaphragms maybe, if not I'll chuck the fuckers.

 

[redi jedi]

I don't want to sound like a complete asshole here but I do believe air "pumps" do compress air to move it / build up pressure to force the air through the tubing/stone. Why else would it have a piston? I agree it doesnt hold compressed air in a tank like a nail gun compressor but I do believe you are mistaken.

Sorry dude...what you believe is wrong.