Finding a cheap small a/c unit?

i recently set up a 4'x x8'x 6.5 grow tent with 2 600 watt hps lights. I have a 465cfm fan pulling air through a 18 inch filter with 2 circulation fans. The tent is in a somewhat insulated garage.

My temps are high 85 to 88. Does anyone have a suggestion on a cheap a/c unit or an idea to bring down the temp a little. Cool tubes are kinda out of the question due to funds

A/c at home depot or lowes for like 300$, I have one in my walk in closet that I vent the hot air into the cieling via a hole i cut

anybody else? I found a couple 100.00 a/c units on ebay and walmart. Will theses work? Its only to bring down about 10 degrees F in a tent

you need to vent the hot air that comes from an A/c, and there 2 different types window units or portable units

The $100 A/C won't have enough Btu to cool 1,200w. Just a heads up. Don't skimp on the A/C or it's a waste of money.

How big are your plants?If there in veg,and not that big,just use 1 /600 watt.It should give you time too shop around for a A/C.And your gonna need co2 ,If theres no outdoor air coming in.

I repositioned the light and it helped some. The plants are just getting to tall for the lights due to hydro setup being tall. Its a cool 78 at the bottom of the plants but 85 up top. What is the closest a 600 watt should be from a plant top?

I repositioned the light and it helped some. The plants are just getting to tall for the lights due to hydro setup being tall. Its a cool 78 at the bottom of the plants but 85 up top. What is the closest a 600 watt should be from a plant top? They are about 4 weeks into flowering

well it suoosed to u put ur hand underneath and if its too hot for hand its too hot for the plants but honesty a good cool tube with fan and ducting should only cost 250 dollars which is what u spend on a good ac unit any way then u can move the light a lot closer and get more bang out of ur light

I would recommend a unit that has a digital display so that you can dial in the temperature you desire.

I have a small $100 unit and it runs constantly because it will not shut off completely once it's done cooling, the fan on it still runs unless the whole thing is shut off. That wastes electricity and why waste ya know?

where did you get that ac unit? what is it called?

scruffmcgruff said:

I would recommend a unit that has a digital display so that you can dial in the temperature you desire.

I have a small $100 unit and it runs constantly because it will not shut off completely once it's done cooling, the fan on it still runs unless the whole thing is shut off. That wastes electricity and why waste ya know?

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SmokeyMcSmokester said:

where did you get that ac unit? what is it called?

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Are you refering to my $100 dollar ac? I got it at walmart. It is just a standard window air conditioner 5,000 btu's and I think Holmes was the brand.

However I would not really recommend the cheap unit because it doesn't have the digital temp settings, You would have to spend about $160 and up to get a decent one with those features.

Also since this is a window unit you need to properly understand how to vent the ac if using it indoors. This fella hosierdaddy on the icmag forums has the hands down best guide detailing how to do just that International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - AC Boxes Made Easy (to understand and build)

I cant have a window unit..I need something I can have indoors.

420MED said:

What is the closest a 600 watt should be from a plant top? They are about 4 weeks into flowering

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I keep my 600 watt HPS about 10" from the top pf my plants... temps around 75F at that dist... and I could bring it closer and turn the thermostat down...

I can cool it in there down to 65F... my tent is 36x20x60... pretty small...

All this is possible with a cool tube... that can be made for under $50...

Why not a cool tube instead of an AC..???

SmokeyMcSmokester said:

I cant have a window unit..I need something I can have indoors.

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get a portable unit, not a a window unit and cut a hole into your ceiling and vent the hot air up there, thats what i do and i live in an apartment complex

Where can I find a cheap portable unit?

natrone23 said:

get a portable unit, not a a window unit and cut a hole into your ceiling and vent the hot air up there, thats what i do and i live in an apartment complex

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SmokeyMcSmokester said:

Where can I find a cheap portable unit?

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I got one at home depot for 300$ it was the cheapest one they had, but totally worth it I never have to worry about temps ever again keeps my 5X5 space at a nice 72 degrees and that with a 400 and 600w

Right on thanks man.

SmokeyMcSmokester said:

I cant have a window unit..I need something I can have indoors.

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Look closely, it is possible

scruffmcgruff said:

Also since this is a window unit you need to properly understand how to vent the ac if using it indoors. This fella hosierdaddy on the icmag forums has the hands down best guide detailing how to do just that International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums - AC Boxes Made Easy (to understand and build)

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On page 3 of hoosierdaddy's grow page it shows him having installed a window air con unit inside of his Armour grow cab
(this isn't the greatest picture but its a shot of his cab)