Im starting a new project with two 400w hps for flower in the above mentioned sized grow tent. My intent is to use the 5000 btu window AC unit I have laying around to cool it. I haven't received my tent yet but ive been brainstorming ways to utilize the AC unit in the tent, I know the frame is not sturdy enough to support the AC unit. I thought about using ducts to channel the air into the tent when the lights are on, but I think theres no way to control temp that way because the thermometer on the unit would be operating based on ambient room temperature and not the actual tent temperature. Input, ideas, and solutions please.
Cooling 96"X48"X78 grow tent
- Thread starter kushkilla
- Start date
AdamBlack760
Well-Known Member
A lot of work to get the ac mounted in the tent plus any room in the tent is in is going to get hot.
If you have a spare bedroom put the tent in there window ac in window draw air from out side threw hoods into attic. All you need would be a small fan to exchange air inside tent.
Quick note do it right get a 12k btu window unit and 2 1khps or 2 600s should be able to upgrade for 3 to 4 hundred
If you have a spare bedroom put the tent in there window ac in window draw air from out side threw hoods into attic. All you need would be a small fan to exchange air inside tent.
Quick note do it right get a 12k btu window unit and 2 1khps or 2 600s should be able to upgrade for 3 to 4 hundred
The tent is in a spare bedroom. I got it today and mounting the unit to the tent is a definite negative. The only way I can see it feasible is to anchor the tent flush to the window that the ac unit is on and light/air proofing the coupling. someone in another forum suggested a portable unit so I will price them tonight. I do have a small fan to circulate air and the extraction fan is pulling air straight up out of the tent and out of the room. I will challenge any grower with one 1000w against my two 400w and I will beat that 1000 every harvest. In weight and prime nugs im that confident in my methods
bigbuddin84
Well-Known Member
The way I do it is this. I have my inline fan hooked to my light, exhausting into the room, pulling air from inside the tent, through the light, and into the room. Just have the AC unit cool the room. Open one of the other holes that I'm sure your tent has to allow the fresh air to be pulled in passively. Your tent will stay pretty damn close to the temperature outside of the tent. Works great for me. If you had way more light, you wouldn't want to do it this way, but with 1k or less in lighting, its fine.
bigbuddin84
Well-Known Member
On a side note, air conditioning works by removing moisture from the air. It may not be the best idea to have that dry air blowing pretty much directly onto the plants. Can't say for sure that it would harm them, but logically thinking, seems like it could.
That's really the way I was leaning I don't want that cold dry air blowing directly on my plants, however, Im running a purple experiment and Im trying to get the temp down into the high 50-low 60 range to bring out any coloring. Seems like our setup is close to the same I too have my extraction fan pulling air over and away from the lights. What is your temperature
bigbuddin84
Well-Known Member
Whatever I set the thermostat on the ac at 
. Which is usually 77. But I have no need for those super cool temps.
. Which is usually 77. But I have no need for those super cool temps.
bigbuddin84
Well-Known Member
I have some pics of my setup on a burned out computer. The hard drives are still good, so I'll pull some pics off them tomorrow if I have time
AdamBlack760
Well-Known Member
Ac would would be more efficient if you ran hoods closed loop.
AdamBlack760
Well-Known Member
Ac pulling moisture from the air is just a bonus. I would rather have cool dry air blowing on my nugs than warm moist air.
ficklejester
Well-Known Member
In my old house I still had odor issues with the ac exhaust. So I ran the AC exhaust outside of the room and then scrubbed it with a small 12" long carbon filter and ~200cf fan. A ductless split ac system would take the heat issue out of the equation, but they're pricey >$700.
AdamBlack760
Well-Known Member
I hate portable ac even duel hose units. I would rather run a window unit or cut a hole in wall and run a threw wall unit.
Split units rock Installed mine about six weeks ago seeing about 300-400 in savings a month.
Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
I agree about the portables. They are the least efficient ac. Even those duel hose units, let out the stinky-stinky through the exhaust hose. They just aren't that sealed on the inside. At least when I used to fuk with them
Priced some portable they cost too damn much! Plus I have this 5000btu window unit just sitting here not being used so I will apply that. My solution I will just mount my tent close to the wall/window where the the unit will be , I don't even have to cut the tent because there is a port in the back that opens up that's wide enough to accommodate the window unit I will just have to make
sure I light proof the area around the unit. So when I open my tent from the front the window unit will be incorporated into the tent like it was meant to be there
AdamBlack760
Well-Known Member
If you can get it light proof do it. If not run hoods close loop. And get a small fan to exchange air in tent. Or rip up carpet in the spair bedroom and use the tent as a veg and mom room.
Mainlinekush
Well-Known Member
My 12000 btu portable AC was 400.00 bucks but I got 45% off by buying a home depot gift card off the streets. You can make a thermostat controller from a 15 dollar unit on ebay and basically u tube videos. hook your ac up to it and run the sensor to your tent. Now set your controller the ac will cut off if temps get low at night works with a heater too if you need to run electronic heater for just a little while to maintain 65 degrees at night.
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