How to build a small a/c to cool grow..

Well awhile back I metioned my homemade portable a/c device.It can be made to run on batteries or plugged in.It cools with air coming out down to 55 degrees and comes in handy for grow areas or if outside and needing a cool breeze like camping.The design can be varied or modified but this tutorial will be for a quick cheap unit using what I had around but I will mention some options through out.So here we go this is the intro and now for the How too...

For the model I built in this how to you will need the following
1 styrofoam cooler about $4 ( a nicer plastic cooler larger can be used)
1 4" inline duct fan (this is a variable you can use small battery fan also)
1 plug to wire to the inline fan (may not be needed if other fan is used)
bag of ice or couple frozen water bottle or 2 liters
5lb block dry ice (optional but reccomended also gives you co2)

Tools
a knife or spade bit about 1 inch (can vary slightly in size 1/2 inch to 2 inch)
duct tape
razor blade
extension cord

Heres what you will be ending with

First you will need the lid for the cooler .Set it on a flat surface as it will be on the cooler.Either go as far left or far right on the lid as you can but dont break the lid edge as the cooler needs to close.I used my 4" inline duct fan which made this simple.I placed the fans metal cylinder where I wanted to positioned it and then twisted it clockwise pushing down using its shrp edge as a cookie cutter making a perfect size hole for the tube to fit in.If using a differnt type of fan make the hole so the fan cage will fit snuggly in the hole.You want the fan to be blowing up out of the cooler.You should be at a point similar to this....

Next we will need the bottom half of the cooler.You want to put the cooler up on 1 end and in the center up high but not interfiering with the lid closing make 2 holes about 1 inch in diameter ( these can vary some if you have no hole saw or spade bit you can cut a slit about 4 inches long 1 inch wide.This will allow air to be sucked into the cooler by the fan which is sucking cool air from inside and expelling it into the room.You can also add some flex hose to the inline fan and vent it right into a small grow box or area.These will cool grow boxes nicely and even a small room will be able to have a noticeable temp drop.I used 3 of these in an 8 x8 room and got a 15 degree drop.Your coller should now have these intake holes like these pictures...

NICE! very nice set up that will come in handy instead of using so many fans in a grow box less power usage too and more plugs to plug in more lights nice very nice idea FF Congrats

At this point you are getting close to being done.If you havent already make sure you wire a plu to your inline duct fan if this is the kind you used.Its basically 2 wires put on 2 screw and tightened down.Now for the cool stuff in the cooler.You can use a variety of things such as regualr ice, frozen water bottles, frozen 2 liter bottles of watre or co2 chunks.The bigger the cooler the more you can put in the colder and longer this will run.My combination used 4 water bottle frozen at the bottom then I use my 5 lb block of dry ice.I leave the dry ice in its store bag then put it in 2 plastic gracery bags with the top of the bag opened.This will allow the co2 to evaporate and be pushed into the room which is a bonus.I then surrond the chunck of dry ice with regualr ice about 1 bag.The frozen bottle on bottom with the dry ice surrounded by regualr ice works great as it stops melting as dry ice is negative 109 F. As the reg ice melts the moisture settles on the dry ice giving a smoke of pure co2 that gets blown out the top into the grow area.This small unit with this setup can last 2-3 days at a time 24 hours a day. The bigger the cooler and better can last longer before needing a refill.I then place the lid back on with the fan snuggly fit into its hole.I like to run duct tape around the lid to hold it closed good and tight to prevent any extra melting.You now place it where you want it or run a length of 4 inch hose from the fan pipe to your grow area and plug it in...aaaahhhhh cool air and free co2 to boot.This isnt a full fledge a/c unit but will cool an area or grow box needing to come down.Give it a try and modify it to your needs.Good luck and hope it helps a couple people solve a problem quick..

Thanks for the props hope it helps cool some warm grow areas.Its great for smaller grows.I am working on a combo a/c slash water chiller using an old cheap mini fridge lol I get bored..

And now Im going to post the how to build a 6 site aeroponic unit that I built about an hour ago.Im gonna put it in the aero section with the title"The 30 Minute aero setup".Im gonna give 2 options for misting on this 1 since I did both in under 30 minutes and like both...

haha nice work man, definitely going to give this a try

Filthy... you are the man when it comes to simple engineering my friend. Keep the tutorials coming.

how long does the ice last for thank for the help

macumber said:

how long does the ice last for thank for the help

Click to expand...

This was in the post...

"This small unit with this setup can last 2-3 days at a time 24 hours a day. The bigger the cooler and better can last longer before needing a refill."

Hellof an idea!

Damn, Filthy...you are Da Man on projects like this. Think I'll build a few of your project ideas just for the hellofit..being too hot isn't something we worry about this far North!

Dizzy

I used to think I didnt either being like 4 hours from canadian border but its been over 100 F for almost 2 weeks here.Either way this isnt a full a/c replacement but can help solve some hot little situations.Time lasting depends how hot it is around the cooler what size you use and general variables.If its outside a grow box like in your regular house and itslike 70 in the house and your venting into a grow box it lasts the longest..If its in a large hot room then a day maybe .Have fun buildingstuff like this is a fun hobby of mine.Check the other posts out.I posted the 30 minute 6 site aero build.I posted how to make the 28 site aero setup I use.And Im going to post up my $25 extra wide coverage light reflector 1 or 2 bulbs

Where do you get the dry ice, and how much is it?

I get my dry ice at local Meijers grocery store.Super wal mart or sams probably has it maybe costco.Look on line for local supplies in your area.5 lb blocks cost like #1.28 a lb so 6-7 bucks

heres a dry ice store locater link {dryicedirectory.com} You should find a store near you. PEACE

Made too any scale for from your great idea, imagine the spaces we all could cool!!!

Hey, I built this thing just for fun last summer when you posted it. It does work exactly as you state. The only real problem is replacing the dry ice @ $7 a day for a month could be $240. Might as well get the swamp cooler for $150, and not waste gas going to the store everyday. Thanks for the idea though, I had fun building it.

maybe someone could use it but it sure does sound like a moneypit...lol

The main use of this kinda thing is for the small grow box user.I find it works best if the cooler is outside the grow box where its cooler then the fan is vented into the grow box pumping te cool air in. For big areas itll take a ton but can be switched to use frozen bottles of water and fil the cooler about 1/4 full of water.It will add humidity but will be the same a s a swamp cooler and no cost to freeze old water bottles just have a few extra freezing so when the others are thawed you can swap them.Its a small fix that can help on extra hot days