Fred Flintstoner
Active Member
Royal Sovereign ARP-1000ES
http://www.royalsovereign.com/products
http://www.royalsovereign.com/products
Overview:
The following is a review of the Royal Sovereign Model ARP-1000ES Portable Air Conditioning Unit. I am not an HVAC Technician, but have owned three seperate window units in my time to base my review off of. Basically, I am no expert, just giving a simple review for anyone that is looking to buy a Portable AC unit for their grow op.
Specifications/Details:
A quick rundown of this unit's features.
Power Requirements:
A standard grounded 15AMP 115volt outlet is all that is necessary for the AC Unit. When the AC mode is on, the unit is pulling up to 950 watts.
In my case, I had already gone through the hassle of running extra breakers and dedicated power runs to the room, but you might have to do this if you want to install a portable AC!
950 watts is a lot as we all know, and if you already have lights, fans, and all the other bells and whistles running, another dedicated line might also be necessary. In my case I have lights on their own breaker, AC unit on its own breaker, and everything else in between on their own breaker.
Window Exhaust Kit:
I chose not to use this kit, against the advice of the site's FAQ. There is nothing wrong with this kit as far as functionality, and the window bar is made of a pretty sturdy plastic material. (surprisingly) I chose not to use it because of security reasons. I would rather NOT have my window ajar 24x7 in order to exhaust my AC unit, plus I did not buy a window AC unit for the very same reason.
Alternative Exhaust:
Installing the Portable AC unit was very very easy!
I suppose the most time consuming part was creating an alternative exhaust for the unit, something that isn't necessary for everyone!
Here are the items I used to create an alternative exhaust::
Here is the process I went through to create the alternative exhaust:
AC Mode Review/Performance:
I installed this unit in a 180 sq. foot room. In the specs you probably noticed its good for up to 400. This unit is actually cooling a room that is housing a grow closet. The grow closet is pulling air from the room constantly, so if the room is cool, the closets are also. Since air is constantly being pulled from the room, I purchased a larger BTU model. 8,000 would have normally done a room of this size just fine in most cases.
The room has cooled down from 86 to 78 within an hours time no problem while temperatures outside range in the mid 90s. The fan was set to high during this time, and the AC temperature was at 78 degrees. The central AC to the house was at 85 degrees and the door to the room is kept closed.
When the room reaches the desired level, the unit runs with the Fan on only and the exhaust is also turned off. I also placed a standard oscillating fan in front of the AC unit that is rotating the air around the room more efficiently.
During times when both grow lights are active the AC unit does not show any signs of trouble cooling the main room down. These lights are again in the closet and each have their own exhaust fans, but its good to know that the Portable AC unit is doing one of the jobs that it was intended to do.
Dehumidifier Mode:
I thought at first when I purchased this unit that it would dehumidify while cooling, but that is not exactly the case. The unit has to actually be put on dehumidifier mode, which keeps it from performing its AC functions. I would not recommend this unit if you are looking to get an 'all in on solution.' Then again, if for some reason you only need to dehumidify in the winter...this might be just for you.
Fan Mode:
This pretty much just keeps air circulating in the room. I suggest getting a fan if you are only to use this mode, but thats stating the obvious. Again, this mode runs automatically between AC cycles, but it does not indicate this on the control panel display.
Growroom Temperatures:
The unit was mainly purchased to stem the tide of high temperatures during daytime hours. It is not economical for me to keep my house at a steady temperature, which I understand is not the case for everyone, but is in my locale. Instead of cooling the whole house, keeping just the room cool I have the grow closet in seems more practical for the long hours I am not in the home.
Results:
Average Temperature in both Vegetative Room and Flowering Room Dropped by 6 Degrees.
Veg Room - 400 watt Metal Halide
Flowering Room - 600 watt HPS
Carbon Dioxide
During Co2 emissions the exhaust is cut in the Flowering room for 10 minutes while the light's independent exhaust pulling air from the main room remains active. Temperature still increases during this time period and spikes at the end of the 10 minutes.
Here are the old and current spikes from my temperature readings:
I can deal with 82 Degrees any day, and the time it takes to cool back down to 76 is around 5 minutes.
This has enabled me to regulate Co2 twice an hour instead of once.
Air Filter
This unit does not truly filter air. It has a simple air filter on the back that is designed to capture small particles before the intake uses the air. It is simple to remove and clean which is another plus.
Water Buildup & Drainage
This unit does not require water drainage in nearly every operational environment is what the product description claims. In my environment this holds to be true at least!
Although there is a drainage hole and rubber plug on the bottom, I have never used it. The unit also has the ability to shut down and tell you with an indicator light if the water reservoir does get too full. You then simply drain it using the bottom plug and are back in business.
My guess is that if you live in an area of high humidity, you might still have to drain.
Conclusion:
I needed an AC unit that provided me the following:
Yes I had to create my own exhaust to make it secure, but it would not have been possible with a window unit. I suppose this can be applied to all Portable AC Stand Alone Units.
The room housing the grow closet is easily cooled, and this in turn has brought down both my grow room temperature averages and spikes.
I love the fact that I do not have to worry about the water buildup. In fact, it is half the reason why I chose this model based upon reviews of others stating the same great results. I would not get a Portable AC unit if it did not have this feature because I just dont have the time to babysit something that I need to depend on to cool in an automated fashion.
This unit is definitely not for everyone, simply because every grow room is different. Be sure to research whats best for your own needs (like BTU's!!!) before diving into such a large purchase. Most importantly though, be sure you even need the darn thing to begin with.
- Fred
The following is a review of the Royal Sovereign Model ARP-1000ES Portable Air Conditioning Unit. I am not an HVAC Technician, but have owned three seperate window units in my time to base my review off of. Basically, I am no expert, just giving a simple review for anyone that is looking to buy a Portable AC unit for their grow op.
Specifications/Details:
A quick rundown of this unit's features.
- 2006 Model
- 10,000 BTUs
- Max Room Size @ 400 sq ft.
- Fan Mode
- AC Mode
- Dehumidifier Mode
- Evaporative Exhausting
- 115 Volts
- 950 Watts during AC Mode
- Controls w/ Digital LCD Display
- Remote Control w/ LCD Display
- Room Temp Display
- 12 Hour Timer
- 3 Fan Speeds
- 81 Pints of Moisture Removal p/Day
- 79 lbs
- Casters
- Water drainage hole w/ rubber seal
- Filter on back (Easy to access)
- Window Exhaust Kit
- Avg. Price of $400-$500
- 1 Year Warranty
Power Requirements:
A standard grounded 15AMP 115volt outlet is all that is necessary for the AC Unit. When the AC mode is on, the unit is pulling up to 950 watts.
In my case, I had already gone through the hassle of running extra breakers and dedicated power runs to the room, but you might have to do this if you want to install a portable AC!
950 watts is a lot as we all know, and if you already have lights, fans, and all the other bells and whistles running, another dedicated line might also be necessary. In my case I have lights on their own breaker, AC unit on its own breaker, and everything else in between on their own breaker.
Window Exhaust Kit:
I chose not to use this kit, against the advice of the site's FAQ. There is nothing wrong with this kit as far as functionality, and the window bar is made of a pretty sturdy plastic material. (surprisingly) I chose not to use it because of security reasons. I would rather NOT have my window ajar 24x7 in order to exhaust my AC unit, plus I did not buy a window AC unit for the very same reason.
- This exhaust kit starts at 4" diameter when connecting to the AC unit.
- It then expands to 5" for the 'plastic' ducting, and reverts to 4" when connecting to the exhaust portion of the window panel.
- Sovereign also states to not extend onto the original ducting as this creates back pressure on the unit which can lead to hot air blowing into the room instead of exhausting.
Alternative Exhaust:
Installing the Portable AC unit was very very easy!
I suppose the most time consuming part was creating an alternative exhaust for the unit, something that isn't necessary for everyone!
Here are the items I used to create an alternative exhaust::
- 4" Diameter Duct (bout 4 ft)
- Metallic Duct Tape (Nashua rulez)
- Dryer Vent Kit for 4" Exhaust
- 4" Diamater Hole Saw
- 14 Volt Drill (DeWalt)
- "Great Stuff" Expanding Foam
- Drywall Spackle
Here is the process I went through to create the alternative exhaust:
- Ran 4" diameter ducting through the 'connector' that locks into place on the back of the AC unit. This duct work size fits perfectly within the connector.
- Taped edge of protruding duct work to the connector itself. This would be on the side of the connector that is connecting into the AC unit.This created an air tight seal.
- Connected ducting to AC unit using the standard connector.
- Drilled 4" Diameter hole through wall to outside
- Setup Dryer Exhaust Kit through hole and vents on outside.
- Used Great Stuff Expand Foam to seal outside Exhaust Grate to wall.
- Ran opposite end of 4" duct work from AC unit over the Exhaust Kit's Ducting.
- Sealed Duct work with Metallic Tape
- Drywall Spackled around the inside ductwork.
- After everything settled I tested for blowback with the AC unit Fan on high but had NONE. Success!
- The exhaust grates flap open with ease when the exhaust is running, and close down when the unit is not in AC mode keeping bugs out.
- I would provide pics of the exhaust grate, but its outside and that makes me paranoid.
Just go to your local hardware store and you can find at least a few.
AC Mode Review/Performance:
I installed this unit in a 180 sq. foot room. In the specs you probably noticed its good for up to 400. This unit is actually cooling a room that is housing a grow closet. The grow closet is pulling air from the room constantly, so if the room is cool, the closets are also. Since air is constantly being pulled from the room, I purchased a larger BTU model. 8,000 would have normally done a room of this size just fine in most cases.
The room has cooled down from 86 to 78 within an hours time no problem while temperatures outside range in the mid 90s. The fan was set to high during this time, and the AC temperature was at 78 degrees. The central AC to the house was at 85 degrees and the door to the room is kept closed.
When the room reaches the desired level, the unit runs with the Fan on only and the exhaust is also turned off. I also placed a standard oscillating fan in front of the AC unit that is rotating the air around the room more efficiently.
During times when both grow lights are active the AC unit does not show any signs of trouble cooling the main room down. These lights are again in the closet and each have their own exhaust fans, but its good to know that the Portable AC unit is doing one of the jobs that it was intended to do.
Dehumidifier Mode:
I thought at first when I purchased this unit that it would dehumidify while cooling, but that is not exactly the case. The unit has to actually be put on dehumidifier mode, which keeps it from performing its AC functions. I would not recommend this unit if you are looking to get an 'all in on solution.' Then again, if for some reason you only need to dehumidify in the winter...this might be just for you.
Fan Mode:
This pretty much just keeps air circulating in the room. I suggest getting a fan if you are only to use this mode, but thats stating the obvious. Again, this mode runs automatically between AC cycles, but it does not indicate this on the control panel display.
Growroom Temperatures:
The unit was mainly purchased to stem the tide of high temperatures during daytime hours. It is not economical for me to keep my house at a steady temperature, which I understand is not the case for everyone, but is in my locale. Instead of cooling the whole house, keeping just the room cool I have the grow closet in seems more practical for the long hours I am not in the home.
Results:
Average Temperature in both Vegetative Room and Flowering Room Dropped by 6 Degrees.
Veg Room - 400 watt Metal Halide
Flowering Room - 600 watt HPS
- Old Avg @ 82 Degrees
- Current Avg @ 76 Degrees
Carbon Dioxide
During Co2 emissions the exhaust is cut in the Flowering room for 10 minutes while the light's independent exhaust pulling air from the main room remains active. Temperature still increases during this time period and spikes at the end of the 10 minutes.
Here are the old and current spikes from my temperature readings:
- Old Spike @ 89 Degrees
- New Spike @ 82 Degrees
I can deal with 82 Degrees any day, and the time it takes to cool back down to 76 is around 5 minutes.
This has enabled me to regulate Co2 twice an hour instead of once.
Air Filter
This unit does not truly filter air. It has a simple air filter on the back that is designed to capture small particles before the intake uses the air. It is simple to remove and clean which is another plus.
Water Buildup & Drainage
This unit does not require water drainage in nearly every operational environment is what the product description claims. In my environment this holds to be true at least!
- Optional Water Drainage
- Water Evaporative Exhaust
- 'No Drain' Unit
- Minimal Maintenance
- Automatic Shutdown
- Indicator Light
Although there is a drainage hole and rubber plug on the bottom, I have never used it. The unit also has the ability to shut down and tell you with an indicator light if the water reservoir does get too full. You then simply drain it using the bottom plug and are back in business.
My guess is that if you live in an area of high humidity, you might still have to drain.
Conclusion:
I needed an AC unit that provided me the following:
- Secure Exhaust Setup
- Easily & Quickly Cool Room
- Bring Down Grow Room Spikes
- Bring Down Grow Room Avgs
- No Water Drain Worry
Yes I had to create my own exhaust to make it secure, but it would not have been possible with a window unit. I suppose this can be applied to all Portable AC Stand Alone Units.
The room housing the grow closet is easily cooled, and this in turn has brought down both my grow room temperature averages and spikes.
I love the fact that I do not have to worry about the water buildup. In fact, it is half the reason why I chose this model based upon reviews of others stating the same great results. I would not get a Portable AC unit if it did not have this feature because I just dont have the time to babysit something that I need to depend on to cool in an automated fashion.
This unit is definitely not for everyone, simply because every grow room is different. Be sure to research whats best for your own needs (like BTU's!!!) before diving into such a large purchase. Most importantly though, be sure you even need the darn thing to begin with.
- Fred
