Humidity Help

[ChiefRunningPhist]

Ahh I gotcha. Yeah I'm exhausting out of a window and use the register for the central air as my intake. I did take the register cover off and man you can feel a difference in the amount of being pulled into the room. So honestly I'm not sure if my "vent" was even the issue.

Humidity is at 52% over halfway through lights off, that I can deal with. But idk if it's because I took the register cover off or because I turned the ac off over night and just ran the dehuy.

Ya I'm just reverse of you. Haha and ya idk, I'm not too sure what's going on exactly. Its hard to say without being there. As long as there's a path for the air to flow and a way to push or pull it you'll be good, if it slams RH again look at where you're stopping your air flow at. I'm glad you got it figured as that shit woulda sucked to deal with during drying. Haha good luck dawg

 

[Grower899]

Ya I'm just reverse of you. Haha and ya idk, I'm not too sure what's going on exactly. Its hard to say without being there. As long as there's a path for the air to flow and a way to push or pull it you'll be good, if it slams RH again look at where you're stopping your air flow at. I'm glad you got it figured as that shit woulda sucked to deal with during drying. Haha good luck dawg

Yeah man it's already been hell to deal with, I dry in the same room, 4 plants on the line now. They went from almost ready to be bagged to damn near soaked again.

Have a wedding cake f2 x jungle cake going in the trash, or fire rather, due to pm. Not a bad infection but I've found a few spots on it. Gotta pull all the plants out and do a good look over, I know at least 1 other plant has a little PM. And I have 1 with days to go i really gotta check, honestly hes prolly getting burned too. Fucking sucks, but the plants I checked last night were all clear, so as long as I'm only binning 3-4 plants I can live with that, live and learn.

Got a couple other ideas plotting after shit gets settled. Veg room may go across the house. Should let the flower room exhaust better since there will only be the canfan in there. Should lower humidity by removing a 2x5 worth of plants too, plus clones up top in the veg area. Then I can put the dehuy right in the flower tent and throw in a floor fan. Prolly increase flower area slightly as well since I'm freeing up 3-400ish watts. Man getting excited about growing again. Been in the slums for over a week.

 

[ChiefRunningPhist]

Yeah man it's already been hell to deal with, I dry in the same room, 4 plants on the line now. They went from almost ready to be bagged to damn near soaked again.

Have a wedding cake f2 x jungle cake going in the trash, or fire rather, due to pm. Not a bad infection but I've found a few spots on it. Gotta pull all the plants out and do a good look over, I know at least 1 other plant has a little PM. And I have 1 with days to go i really gotta check, honestly hes prolly getting burned too. Fucking sucks, but the plants I checked last night were all clear, so as long as I'm only binning 3-4 plants I can live with that, live and learn.

Look at water cure.

I had a bunch of shit herb and did an 8 day water cure and it was night and day. Looked like shit after, all brown and shit, but way stronger smoke and super smooth. You gotta be gentle changing the water so you don't break to many trichs off, and make sure to change the water every day (twice for the first couple days) but it saved my shit and I had something to use instead of tossing it and the water cure only takes 8 days, no month long jarring. The smoothness is unreal. Smoothest least harsh smoke ever. And the potency went up too, but the weight dropped about 30%!

 

[Grower899]

Look at water cure.

I had a bunch of shit herb and did an 8 day water cure and it was night and day. Looked like shit after, all brown and shit, but way stronger smoke and super smooth. You gotta be gentle changing the water so you don't break to many trichs off, and make sure to change the water every day (twice for the first couple days) but it saved my shit and I had something to use instead of tossing it and the water cure only takes 8 days, no month long jarring. The smoothness is unreal. Smoothest least harsh smoke ever. And the potency went up too, but the weight dropped about 30%!

I'll def take a look, hate to just throw the plant away. Especially for the small amount of moms inbound on it.

So problem not quite solved. I'm almost certain the issue lies within my ac being to powerful. Doesnt run for long intervals just short bursts making spikes. Need a smaller ac that runs more consistently to keep the humidity from spiking when it kicks on. Explains why the humidity didnt skyrocket last night, cause I turned the ac off. Kinda blows I need to look into a new ac.

Forgot I had an inkbird temp controller. Gonna give that a run and see if I can make it run longer. Hopefully it doesnt get to cold.

One of the plants that's gonna get washed, wed cake f2 x jungle cake. Looks kinda like PM on one of the leaves, there's def some on a lower fan. Checked the inside and its lime green, so ima try what I read about water curing and see what happens. Maybe try and wash 1 branch and water cure the other.

 

[Grower899]

Ok so new problem. After more research the inkbird just supply's power to the unit, wont make the compressor keep running until desired temp. Is there a product that'll do what I want? I guess a thermostat with a sensor? Does that exist?

 

[ChiefRunningPhist]

Ok so new problem. After more research the inkbird just supply's power to the unit, wont make the compressor keep running until desired temp. Is there a product that'll do what I want? I guess a thermostat with a sensor? Does that exist?

You're wanting your AC to stay on? Trying to figure a way to keep it on?

 

[Grower899]

You're wanting your AC to stay on? Trying to figure a way to keep it on?

Yeah pretty much, its not hitting my desired temp on the inkbird, but the compressor shuts off I suppose because the on board thermostat says its cold enough.

As long as the ac runs for more than 15 mins it starts dropping the humidity, problem is I can't get it to run longer than like 18 mins, lol. Then everytime it cycles on and off it shoots the humidity up.

 

[ChiefRunningPhist]

If RH is your problem I'd work on the exhaust/air flow side.

If the temp drops RH goes up, but if the temp goes up then RH goes down.


It seems that you're wanting to dehumidify the grow by running the AC, but that you think your RH is high based on temperature fluctuations, so to me it seems you're fighting yourself. Trying to use the tool to dehumidify that is causing high RH, seems you need an additional mechanism to control RH while maintaining temp. I see it as too seperate processes. Temp mgmt, and RH control. Use your AC to get your desired temp but if your air has so much water in it that when you drop temp you have RH issues, then you'll need to either get another deheuy or exhaust better. If your outside climate is humid, then dehuey is your only bet.

Yeah pretty much, its not hitting my desired temp on the inkbird, but the compressor shuts off I suppose because the on board thermostat says its cold enough.

As long as the ac runs for more than 15 mins it starts dropping the humidity, problem is I can't get it to run longer than like 18 mins, lol. Then everytime it cycles on and off it shoots the humidity up.

If you want to try to use your AC as a dehumidifier, id just exhaust it into your grow room instead of out the window.

 

[Grower899]

If RH is your problem I'd work on the exhaust/air flow side.

If the temp drops RH goes up, but if the temp goes up then RH goes down.
View attachment 4316109

It seems that you're wanting to dehumidify the grow by running the AC, but that you think your RH is high based on temperature fluctuations, so to me it seems you're fighting yourself. Trying to use the tool to dehumidify that is causing high RH, seems you need an additional mechanism to control RH while maintaining temp. I see it as too seperate processes. Temp mgmt, and RH control. Use your AC to get your desired temp but if your air has so much water in it that when you drop temp you have RH issues, then you'll need to either get another deheuy or exhaust better. If your outside climate is humid, then dehuey is your only bet.



If you want to try to use your AC as a dehumidifier, id just exhaust it into your grow room instead of out the window.

Yo I really appreciate your help man.

I guess I just thought the ac would do the dehumidifing and there would be no need for my dehuy anymore. Which after days of research SHOULD be true, but it just isnt. I mean every grow site I look at says, oh get an ac or dehuy. I really feel like it's the 14k btu ac in a 150 sq ft room. Needs to be more like 6k btu, but I cant find a 6k dual hose ac, and dont wanna buy the ac and it not work. Many sites, non growing, say that if the ac doesnt run long enough it raises the humidity.

Even on the dehumidify setting the ac isnt lowering the humidity. Not sure what it's worth but the ac is even rated at draining 94 pints a day, would make 124 pints with dehu and ac running. Which is what kept it in check yesterday until the breaker tripped, so I cant run the dehu during lights on.

Option 2 move my veg plants across the house. Should lower humidity by lowering plant count. And itll free up electrical space and physical space for the dehuy to be placed inside the growing area. If that still doesnt work then I can prolly step it up to a 50/70 pint dehuy.

 

[ChiefRunningPhist]

Yo I really appreciate your help man.

I guess I just thought the ac would do the dehumidifing and there would be no need for my dehuy anymore. Which after days of research SHOULD be true, but it just isnt. I mean every grow site I look at says, oh get an ac or dehuy. I really feel like it's the 14k btu ac in a 150 sq ft room. Needs to be more like 6k btu, but I cant find a 6k dual hose ac, and dont wanna buy the ac and it not work. Many sites, non growing, say that if the ac doesnt run long enough it raises the humidity.

Even on the dehumidify setting the ac isnt lowering the humidity. Not sure what it's worth but the ac is even rated at draining 94 pints a day, would make 124 pints with dehu and ac running. Which is what kept it in check yesterday until the breaker tripped, so I cant run the dehu during lights on.

Option 2 move my veg plants across the house. Should lower humidity by lowering plant count. And itll free up electrical space and physical space for the dehuy to be placed inside the growing area. If that still doesnt work then I can prolly step it up to a 50/70 pint dehuy.

Where is your AC draining to? With mine I had to run a line out the window or empty it every 4hours or so..

 

[Grower899]

Where is your AC draining to? With mine I had to run a line out the window or empty it every 4hours or so..

Well currently it's not draining, or full. I've got a shower 2ft away I could put the drain hose in, will do that when lights on in an hour.

But I just read something that made sense. The ac relies on "advanced self evaporated technology" which uses and recycles moisture.

Someone on a site made a comment that when the compressor shuts off the fan keeps going which blows moisture into the air, which makes sense because when the ac is on the humidity goes down. Its when the compressor kicks off that the humidity goes up. Maybe not having water in the tank will change that, but it sounds like the problem is in the ac itself and the way it operates maybe?

 

[Grower899]

Link to ac. Idk that it makes a difference but this is what I'm using.

https://www.amazon.com/Whynter-ARC-14S-Conditioner-Dehumidifier-Activated/dp/B0028AYQDC/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?keywords=portable+ac&qid=1555085663&s=gateway&sr=8-8

Ok after more reading the manufacturer says itll be less efficient setup to continuous drain because its uses the water in the tank. So ima set it up to continuous drain and see what happens. Maybe it keeps moisture from blowing out when just the fan is on?

 

[ChiefRunningPhist]

Well currently it's not draining, or full. I've got a shower 2ft away I could put the drain hose in, will do that when lights on in an hour.

But I just read something that made sense. The ac relies on "advanced self evaporated technology" which uses and recycles moisture.

Someone on a site made a comment that when the compressor shuts off the fan keeps going which blows moisture into the air, which makes sense because when the ac is on the humidity goes down. Its when the compressor kicks off that the humidity goes up. Maybe not having water in the tank will change that, but it sounds like the problem is in the ac itself and the way it operates maybe?

I looked it over.

You could be on to something. It seems it has a drain bin, but that it implements an evaporative process to expel the water out the hoses to keep up with the condensate.

I'm thinking 2 things. 1 could be what you're saying, about the fan blowing the drain bin water back into air when compressor is off. And the other I was thinking was possibly the fact that you had both exhausts out the same window. I'm wondering if the area is just having a really hard time trying to pull air through the floor register to replace the air being exhausted out the window. I'm wondering if its easier to pull air in one of the exhaust holes in the bathroom window than through your register vent. I'm wondering if when your AC is off or even when its on that the 6in can exhaust is actually trying to pull air in through the AC hoses. I think 100pints a day should be plenty enough to dehumidify the room, the plants dont drink that in a day so they can't transpire that much per day, so I think your can fan is actually overriding your AC exhaust. Have you gone outside and felt the pressure of the air coming from all exhaust hoses and fans? Check the air flow outside at the can fan and AC hoses. Both when AC is on, as well as when AC is off.

(Just a side note, I lifted my portable AC up ontop of an upside down 5gal bucket to keep the hose level with the window otherwise the near 90° kink in hose really effected the AC unit)

 

[Grower899]

I looked it over.

You could be on to something. It seems it has a drain bin, but that it implements an evaporative process to expel the water out the hoses to keep up with the condensate.

I'm thinking 2 things. 1 could be what you're saying, about the fan blowing the drain bin water back into air when compressor is off. And the other I was thinking was possibly the fact that you had both exhausts out the same window. I'm wondering if the area is just having a really hard time trying to pull air through the floor register to replace the air being exhausted out the window. I'm wondering if its easier to pull air in one of the exhaust holes in the bathroom window than through your register vent. I'm wondering if when your AC is off or even when its on that the 6in can exhaust is actually trying to pull air in through the AC hoses. I think 100pints a day should be plenty enough to dehumidify the room, the plants dont drink that in a day so they can't transpire that much per day, so I think your can fan is actually overriding your AC exhaust. Have you gone outside and felt the pressure of the air coming from all exhaust hoses and fans? Check the air flow outside at the can fan and AC hoses. Both when AC is on, as well as when AC is off.

(Just a side note, I lifted my portable AC up ontop of an upside down 5gal bucket to keep the hose level with the window otherwise the near 90° kink in hose really effected the AC unit)

Honestly that was another thought. The fan pulling air in via the ac hoses. But idk if there is anything I can do about that, I've "modified" the ac with great stuff around hoses to prevent leaks but I know what you mean and idk that there is anything I can do about that.

But I've done what you're saying about feeling the pressure with ac on and off. You can def feel when that exhaust hose kicks on. The temp of the air coming outta the window increases by prolly 20 degrees with the ac on.

 

[Grower899]

I looked it over.

You could be on to something. It seems it has a drain bin, but that it implements an evaporative process to expel the water out the hoses to keep up with the condensate.

I'm thinking 2 things. 1 could be what you're saying, about the fan blowing the drain bin water back into air when compressor is off. And the other I was thinking was possibly the fact that you had both exhausts out the same window. I'm wondering if the area is just having a really hard time trying to pull air through the floor register to replace the air being exhausted out the window. I'm wondering if its easier to pull air in one of the exhaust holes in the bathroom window than through your register vent. I'm wondering if when your AC is off or even when its on that the 6in can exhaust is actually trying to pull air in through the AC hoses. I think 100pints a day should be plenty enough to dehumidify the room, the plants dont drink that in a day so they can't transpire that much per day, so I think your can fan is actually overriding your AC exhaust. Have you gone outside and felt the pressure of the air coming from all exhaust hoses and fans? Check the air flow outside at the can fan and AC hoses. Both when AC is on, as well as when AC is off.

(Just a side note, I lifted my portable AC up ontop of an upside down 5gal bucket to keep the hose level with the window otherwise the near 90° kink in hose really effected the AC unit)

Got the ac tilted, and hooked up to drain. Guess well see if that makes a difference. With the ac blowing the humidity does go down, albeit slowly. Maybe 1% in 10 mins. But as soon as the compressor kicks off its jumping 2-3% every 10 mins. Sometimes jumps a little more.

So maybe you're right about air being pulled back in. Makes sense, the ac kicks on and humidity goes down, kicks off and the canfan starts pulling that hot humid air back in via hoses and comes back into the room via gaps/holes in the ac. I cant feel air being dispersed from the few holes I can find in the machine but that's not to say that isnt the issue

Also popped the cover to the bathroom exhaust fan off, there was a lot of air being pulled from there too.

Suppose I have another test to try when I get the time. Just gonna stand there and wait on the compressor to turn off then manually turn off the ac, instead of just letting the fan blow, and see what the humidity does. I'd think if it stays the same or goes down the ac is to blame, if it goes up, I can quit fucking with this ac and move on to the next solution. Assuming draining the ac doesnt work.

 

[Grower899]

Tried draining, no difference. Ac does lower the humidity in the bathroom, not where the plants are, rather rapidly when it's on. Also rises rapidly as soon as it turns off.

Which makes me believe you were right about the exhaust and it pulling air in via hoses, but also where the board meets the wall. Going to redo that board again momentarily. Everything was fine until I put the ac on that board. So I'ma take it off, re seal it, cover the ac holes and I bet everything goes back to normal.

 

[Grower899]

Got the board sealed back up def not pulling air in anymore, but I dont have an ac either. Humidity is going down, will see where it's at in an hour or so.

Gonna leave the central ac on for now, and see if I can find something to seal up these ac hose ends to stop the leaking, great stuff did not work.

Was looking at;

https://m.lowes.com/pd/tite-seal-self-adhesive-waterproof-4-in-x-33-ft-rubberized-asphalt-roll-flashing/1007825?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lbm-_-google-_-lia-_-103-_-specialtymetals-_-1007825-_-0&kpid&store_code=1986&k_clickID=go_625667893_34613739910_111132547510_aud-299487635210:pla-261262507377_m_9010468&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7sDlBRC9ARIsAD-pDFrK1ayyYCmrVtzMKI0UNPxRPtlDCHsg8zivwS7hMVsTjceCOwhfkXgaApNXEALw_wcB

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rust-Oleum-LeakSeal-Self-Fusing-Silicone-Tape/36758509?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228025011663&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40839613952&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-78652797512&wl5=9010468&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=36758509&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7sDlBRC9ARIsAD-pDFpEfxR8h2Bh6vh1BmMHOoq52pmqH1TbosrjirGSYSeqqSZtCDyDY4AaAlLNEALw_wcB

Or hell maybe just some flex seal tape.

Some kinda high temp caulk for around the connectors.

Any opinions on the matter? Would sealing the hose ends even matter? Would it just pull air through the ac itself, or are the hoses like a closed system only it can add or remove air? Other than where the hoses meet obviously.

Should be about my last question cause if what I'm doing now doesnt work, fuck it, I'm out until fall, lol. Glad I finally decided to try some outdoor this year, bout to toss the first 3 autos into the field tomorrow or Sunday.

Where

I really appreciate your help man. Taking time to try and help me figure this out, quite honestly I prolly woulda tossed in the towel by now without any assistance.

 

[ChiefRunningPhist]

Got the board sealed back up def not pulling air in anymore, but I dont have an ac either. Humidity is going down, will see where it's at in an hour or so.

Gonna leave the central ac on for now, and see if I can find something to seal up these ac hose ends to stop the leaking, great stuff did not work.

Was looking at;

https://m.lowes.com/pd/tite-seal-self-adhesive-waterproof-4-in-x-33-ft-rubberized-asphalt-roll-flashing/1007825?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lbm-_-google-_-lia-_-103-_-specialtymetals-_-1007825-_-0&kpid&store_code=1986&k_clickID=go_625667893_34613739910_111132547510_aud-299487635210:pla-261262507377_m_9010468&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7sDlBRC9ARIsAD-pDFrK1ayyYCmrVtzMKI0UNPxRPtlDCHsg8zivwS7hMVsTjceCOwhfkXgaApNXEALw_wcB

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rust-Oleum-LeakSeal-Self-Fusing-Silicone-Tape/36758509?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222228025011663&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=40839613952&wl4=aud-566049426705:pla-78652797512&wl5=9010468&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=36758509&wl13=&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7sDlBRC9ARIsAD-pDFpEfxR8h2Bh6vh1BmMHOoq52pmqH1TbosrjirGSYSeqqSZtCDyDY4AaAlLNEALw_wcB

Or hell maybe just some flex seal tape.

Some kinda high temp caulk for around the connectors.

Any opinions on the matter? Would sealing the hose ends even matter? Would it just pull air through the ac itself, or are the hoses like a closed system only it can add or remove air? Other than where the hoses meet obviously.

Should be about my last question cause if what I'm doing now doesnt work, fuck it, I'm out until fall, lol. Glad I finally decided to try some outdoor this year, bout to toss the first 3 autos into the field tomorrow or Sunday.



I really appreciate your help man. Taking time to try and help me figure this out, quite honestly I prolly woulda tossed in the towel by now without any assistance.

I'm thinking that its pulling air through the AC when the AC is off. I think tightening the seal on your board was good craftsmanship but not nessecarily your RH issue.

What is the typical RH of your local climate?

I think that its either pulling the outside air across the evaporative membrane in the AC, picking up RH as it is sucked into the grow room through the AC.... Or that your pulling RH through your AC from the outside climate and less to do with the AC evap feature.

The way to determine if that is happening is to shut your AC off and put a garbage bag over it and see if its filling up..., or go outside and put a piece of paper up to the AC holes. Do this while the AC is off but the can fan is on. If the paper is sucked onto any of the holes than you're pulling air from the outside and through your AC. If the outside climate is dry then simply remove AC unit and keep the holes that the hoses were attached to still there and open allowing air to come in. If the outside climate is humid, then plug up the AC holes and stop using the AC until you can figure a way to cut the air being flowed while the AC is off.

* Ya, just any old calk will do, you can spray flex seal in it if you want, maybe calk first then flex seal.. Don't use liquid nail unless you want to permanently attach the hose to the board

 

[Grower899]

I'm thinking that its pulling air through the AC when the AC is off. I think tightening the seal on your board was good craftsmanship but not nessecarily your RH issue.

What is the typical RH of your local climate?

I think that its either pulling the outside air across the evaporative membrane in the AC, picking up RH as it is sucked into the grow room through the AC.... Or that your pulling RH through your AC from the outside climate and less to do with the AC evap feature.

The way to determine if that is happening is to shut your AC off and put a garbage bag over it and see if its filling up..., or go outside and put a piece of paper up to the AC holes. Do this while the AC is off but the can fan is on. If the paper is sucked onto any of the holes than you're pulling air from the outside and through your AC. If the outside climate is dry then simply remove AC unit and keep the holes that the hoses were attached to still there and open allowing air to come in. If the outside climate is humid, then plug up the AC holes and stop using the AC until you can figure a way to cut the air being flowed while the AC is off.

* Ya, just any old calk will do, you can spray flex seal in it if you want, maybe calk first then flex seal.. Don't use liquid nail unless you want to permanently attach the hose to the board

Typically the rh is low. Been inconsistent right now due to spring. But 2 or 3 days ago it was 30% outside, and it wouldn't budge from 70 something %.

Well the board was pretty leaky around the edges, and really bad at the ac hoses. Fixed the edges and just removed the ac, hadn't had a problem like this in 4-5 years until I decided to add the ac. I had to recover the board with fabric for stealth purposes anyway, if too could see the window you could tell I was doing something, had to take care of that.

So I said fuck it and removed the ac, hopefully everything returns to normal and I can try and figure out a way to seal the ac. Not gonna use the flex seal spray, think I'm just gonna try silicon caulk and silicon tape. If everything runs alright with just the central ac then fuck it ima let it ride.

 

[ChiefRunningPhist]

Typically the rh is low. Been inconsistent right now due to spring. But 2 or 3 days ago it was 30% outside, and it wouldn't budge from 70 something %.

Well the board was pretty leaky around the edges, and really bad at the ac hoses. Fixed the edges and just removed the ac, hadn't had a problem like this in 4-5 years until I decided to add the ac. I had to recover the board with fabric for stealth purposes anyway, if too could see the window you could tell I was doing something, had to take care of that.

So I said fuck it and removed the ac, hopefully everything returns to normal and I can try and figure out a way to seal the ac. Not gonna use the flex seal spray, think I'm just gonna try silicon caulk and silicon tape. If everything runs alright with just the central ac then fuck it ima let it ride.

Hopefully it settles down. Good luck man.