Cheap way to cool 2x4 tent in hot garage?

[godtierbobby]

Hey all, Im starting my set-up but my dilemma is my grow tent is in my garage, which stays hot in the summer. My question is, would a tower fan do enough to lower the temperature 8-10 degrees? I dont have a intake fan installed yet but I would assume that would help a little. I also have 2 clip fans inside the tent. My othee option was looking to either use a cheap portable ac unit but im worried about the humidity going up even more as they often have a mist feature.


Has anyone jerry rigged a window ac unit to a grow tent?

 

[hotrodharley]

You’re going to have a hard time trying to get the temperature lower than the air surrounding the tent. Unless you use an air conditioner. Yes many have adapted window units.

 

[SCJedi]

I modified a 12k portable to cool a 5x5. If my garage is 100 I can get my tent to 75-80 with it going full tilt boogie

 

[TintEastwood]

Smokin garage here also 105+ in summer. I ended up using rigid foam box as a compromise between tent and hard walls. Using 6k window AC mounted in the side door.

Here I'm doing a veg box addition.


Portable ACs? Not recommended.

 

[Buck5050]

Smokin garage here also 105+ in summer. I ended up using rigid foam box as a compromise between tent and hard walls. Using 6k window AC mounted in the side door.

Here I'm doing a veg box addition.
View attachment 4358010

Portable ACs? Not recommended.

What's the right tool for cutting the R-tech? Nice clean cuts there. I usually loose patience and make a mess with it.

 

[xtsho]

You're going to need an air conditioner. A fan alone won't lower the temperature it will just blow the air around.

 

[xtsho]

What's the right tool for cutting the R-tech? Nice clean cuts there. I usually loose patience and make a mess with it.

 

[TintEastwood]

What's the right tool for cutting the R-tech? Nice clean cuts there. I usually loose patience and make a mess with it.

Hacksaw blade, propane torch, and steel rulers.
Also have a $20 hot knife from Harbor Freight.

Take a little time and foam to learn how much to heat up the blade and make cuts.
Warning: FUMES. Be safe!!!!

For me cutting it cold makes a foam mess.

 

[xtsho]

Hacksaw blade, propane torch, and steel rulers.
Also have a $20 hot knife from Harbor Freight.

Take a little time and foam to learn how much to heat up the blade and make cuts.
Warning: FUMES. Be safe!!!!

For me cutting it cold makes a foam mess.

But it's fun trying to sweep up those foam particles on the concrete garage floor with a broom

 

[Hempire828]

I’m dealing with the same issue... although I do have an exhaust system... I run them from 8pm to 8 am... while in flower...crack the garage every hour...try to manage my humidity with the V chart..during the day time when temperatures are higher I bring them in the bathroom and turn on the vent....and I run CMH

 

[pulpoinspace]

most cost effective solution is probably to grow more in the winter

i deal with the same shit. AC is the only option. sucks.

 

[Flash63]

I installed a used furnace complete with central air for $400, plus the cost of some duct work been going strong for 10+ yrs..I replaced the air conditioner 5 yrs ago.

 

[TintEastwood]

most cost effective solution is probably to grow more in the winter

i deal with the same shit. AC is the only option. sucks.

Excellent point, @pulpoinspace For my garage setup....I try to shutdown during the hot summer months.
Then there's nute res temps.....I'm forced to run a chiller in the summer - arghhh. Winter, no chilla needed.

 

[xtsho]

Excellent point, @pulpoinspace For my garage setup....I try to shutdown during the hot summer months.
Then there's nute res temps.....I'm forced to run a chiller in the summer - arghhh. Winter, no chilla needed.

Last year I just shut down during the hot summer months. I've ran a portable air conditioner in the tent and it worked great. But it takes up space and uses a lot of power. My summer method now is to grow outside and bring inside to finish flowering. Much of the stuff I grow won't finish outside so bringing it inside to finish works out great. My current indoor crop is just weeks away from finishing and then it's "Light Out" for the flower tent for a couple months. Just have to keep an eye on the bugs. Not mites but those damn caterpillars. They're disgusting. Growing outdoors doesn't provide the environment to grow bug free plants.

 

[Obepawn]

I modified a 12k portable to cool a 5x5. If my garage is 100 I can get my tent to 75-80 with it going full tilt boogie

Pictures bro. I would like to see.

 

[SCJedi]

Pictures bro. I would like to see.

It is "literally" a cardboard box taped over the cooling vent that opens and closes. I use an insulated vent hose to keep radiant exhaust out of the garage until it blows out the window. The window vent is a3/4" laminated board with a 6" hole in it and everything is drywall screwed into place. No one is getting in, I promise.

 

[xtsho]

It is "literally" a cardboard box taped over the cooling vent that opens and closes. I use an insulated vent hose to keep radiant exhaust out of the garage until it blows out the window. The window vent is a3/4" laminated board with a 6" hole in it and everything is drywall screwed into place. No one is getting in, I promise.
View attachment 4358262 View attachment 4358263

Interesting. I put mine inside my tent but it takes up a bunch of space. I used a "Y" duct to vent into the attic with the light. But I could easily rig something up like you have done.

 

[SCJedi]

Interesting. I put mine inside my tent but it takes up a bunch of space. I used a "Y" duct to vent into the attic with the light. But I could easily rig something up like you have done.

This is primarily why I did it this way. I am trying hard to capitalize on limited space.

 

[hillbill]

Balls to wall air conditioning the whole garage creating your Man Cave in the process!

 

[coreywebster]

Hey all, Im starting my set-up but my dilemma is my grow tent is in my garage, which stays hot in the summer. My question is, would a tower fan do enough to lower the temperature 8-10 degrees? I dont have a intake fan installed yet but I would assume that would help a little. I also have 2 clip fans inside the tent. My othee option was looking to either use a cheap portable ac unit but im worried about the humidity going up even more as they often have a mist feature.


Has anyone jerry rigged a window ac unit to a grow tent?

Whats the temp of the air outside the garage?

Seems pointless trying to cool the garage if you don't have to, garages can get way hotter than the outside with the lack of insulated roof and possibly flat felt or dark slate roofing.