Rubbermaid 12/12 from bagseed grow

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psari

Well-Known Member
Ambient draw temp from the outside may not be low enough then or your exchange rate needs to increase ...

Lots of micro setups with less than ideal temp and exchange rates through them require sectioning to overcome this.

Best example would be PC cases running small CMH or HPS bulbs. Turning the top of the cabinet/PC into an air cooled hood by using a glass plate to separate the light from the grow chamber itself is usually required. Plenty of totes dont have the problem but rarely do they tell you they are in more temperate climates.


Not to be odd, but I'd assume you're somewhere warm and dry (SW etc) and dont cherish the idea of cranking your AC bill through the roof. Then, the only way around the heat is massive air exchange which will run into problems once you need to start controlling odor.

A DIY swamp cooler for your intake might even be ideal as it could possible help kill two bird with one stone.
 
ourkansaw

ourkansaw

Active Member
GreenThumb17244 said:
I cant get this damn tote off of 90 degrees...have 2 holes and a 6" fan on high...
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Is this 6" fan an exhaust fan (i.e., blowing the hot air out through a hole or duct), or just an internal fan that's blowing the hot air around in circles inside? If it's the latter, you really need to consider setting up the fan as an exhaust. Both types of fans are important, but exhaust is more important if you have temp issues.
 
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GreenThumb17244

Active Member
I have it some what blowing out but it dont seem to be doin much for temps...adding 2 half ass fans in and then im done!...what happens happens...box hit peak of 95 deg. during lights on.
 
ourkansaw

ourkansaw

Active Member
GreenThumb17244 said:
I have it some what blowing out but it dont seem to be doin much for temps...adding 2 half ass fans in and then im done!...what happens happens...box hit peak of 95 deg. during lights on.
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The more important part is that the fan is completely (not just somewhat) blowing the air out near the top of the box. Fans blowing air in won't do much good if there isn't a good exhaust fan. Even a small old PC fan, if properly mounted, will do a lot to bring down those temps.

Of course, if the surrounding room is like 80+ degrees, then probably the only way to bring down temps is to use an air conditioner.
 
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GreenThumb17244

Active Member
Concentrating on air vent. All night...but after tonight setup is done and hopefully will work...hope you guys will enjoy the show...just want to let all you advice givers kno im not ignoring you just doin what I can...
 
ourkansaw

ourkansaw

Active Member
GreenThumb17244 said:
Wondering if I get a pc fan...how would I go about attaching that to my power strip?...if that isnt possible how do others do it?
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You will need to hook it up to an ac/dc adapter that provides at least the amps your fan draws (usually in the 90-300mA range for PC fans, I think), at the voltage the fan wants (usually 12v, sometimes 9v or even 6v). The easiest way to do that is to buy a universal adapter from Radio Shack, either a set voltage (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3832491) or one with a voltage switch (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3875402). Then they sell little bare wire plugs to attach to the adapter, and you strip the wires from the fan and twist them with some electrical tape. Voila! Alternatively, you can scrounge around for an old cell phone charger or something similar, but most of those are going to be lower voltage (and that makes you fan run slower).

I am sure there are many posts about this in the DIY or Grow Room Design sections of the forums, I am pretty sure I even posted a question about it myself at some point.
 
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psari

Well-Known Member
More like McGuyver, but that's it more or less.

Being one those people who spends time with both plants and computers on a very intimate level you really need to know the specs of the fan/s before you do some of this. Alternately, you can also source AC fans of that same form factor that can often be a better choice. Electronic supply/computer stores will offer these solutions for other applications than PC's. Lots of things need venting ...

Using multiple DC fans can be done easier with a small inverter and a screw punch board ... just depends on your budget of course.

Most of the using the cell charger as a power supply tends to be done because its the ultimate recycling of sorts. Has advantages for single fans but it hardly ideal.

While I always hate to be a sour puss, you need to really sure on getting a match-up for even low amperage fans or they can and will melt/catch fire. Especially for the non-bearing fans that can get gummed up.



Way over the top as far as suppliers go (Newegg and tons of others offer this stuff), but here is an example from Digi-Key regarding NMB AC fans (just picked a brand I've used for telco cabinets): http://www.digikey.com/catalog/en/partgroup/4715ms-4715fs-4715ts-4715hs-series/160


Digi-key also provides some power point training things that may help you with "upping your game" on figuring out needed CFM and conceptualizing different solutions. You can ignore the math if your dont have that background as most of the little presentations they have usually boil down into some more basic ideas.

Like this first one from on NMB fans ... toward the end it gives a condensed explanation on running parallel vs series fans as well as showing the difference between the three most common small form factor fans. Keep in mind this manufacturer is gearde toward a broad range of applications for their fans but they more or less focus on computers. The other is a different little presentation on AC vs DC fans and some basics on applications.


Example 1 (NMB): http://dkc1.digikey.com/us/en/tod/NMB/CoolingSolutions_NoAudio/CoolingSolutions_NoAudio.html

Example 2 (General): http://dkc1.digikey.com/us/en/tod/Qualtek/AC-and-DC-Axial-Fans_NoAudio/AC-and-DC-Axial-Fans_NoAudio.html


While pointing you to Instructables or something else may prove just as useful, I'm still in the camp of teach a man to XXX, and he'll YYY for life. Chances are you'll keep doing this if you get the growing bug. So apologies in advance if this seems like something other than just taking an odd interest in your grow.


Cheers.
 
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GreenThumb17244

Active Member
I appreciate all ur advice psari...i did end up rigging not one but two pc fans to random adapters I had layin around...they both work even tho I couldnt match up voltage...installing both tonight and anxious to see temps after 12 hrs lights on...also putting the two cfl's I removed back in...
 
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GreenThumb17244

Active Member
temp were lower but not low enough...adding other fan to night and replaced the one plant that was in bad shape with a new germed seed...
 
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