AC Box for a mini split condenser???

[jav2043]

I built a box and completly sealed off the condenser part off a 12,000 BTU Pioneer mini split and not sure if im providing enough air. I have a 8inch 745 cfm inline fan for exhaust and passive 8inch intake spliting with a wye connector 8in into 2 6in ports for intake. Everything seems to be working fine at start up but after an hour the metal housing is hot to touch and ac doesnt feel as cold. Not sure if I should add same inline fan to intake or bigger intake holes. Outside temps are high 80's early 90's with humidity around the same. Anyone done this before or have good recommedations?

 

[the gnome]

if the condenser cant get rid of the heat
cooling efficiency will suffer.
also the air being pushed in and pulled out has to be the same direction as the air flow of the condensers fan pulling the air over the cooling fins

why do you have the cond. in a box?
noise, is it inside?

 

[amannamedtruth]

yea that thing should be pretty quiet if its charged correctly.

 

[the gnome]

yea that thing should be pretty quiet if its charged correctly.

exactly, the inlines prob make 2Xs the noise the mini split does

 

[Born Loser]

Don't think he's talking about noise. Sounds like he's running it indoors and is trying to exhaust the compressor.

Overall a bad idea, but ya gotta do what you gotta do. You'll need tons of airflow thru the fins. I'm not sure how these are setup exactly, or how you boxed it.
I've seen them in warehouses, but that's a little different... Going thru a wall into the cool room.
Maybe try another fan for a forced intake.

 

[the gnome]

yeah. I figured its inside
I have 1 of mine inside,
It gets pretty warm in that space.
I seriously doubt any type of inline set will work.
one of those 30" shop fans that sits on the floor is much better suited to exhaust the heat if it's inside imo.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11825.jpg

 

[Granger2]

Check specs on your unit or call factory to see how much air flow the unit has, and you'll need at least that much. Good luck. Keep us apprised on what you find out. I considered doing something like that a year ago when my thru the wall unit went out, but decided against it because I wasnt' confident I could make it work right. Thanks. -granger

 

[jav2043]

why do you have the cond. in a box?
noise, is it inside?

Indoors for security reasons not noise. Would've been so much easier outside but not an option at my location. Its running very quiet just the inline metal housing is getting hot bout 115F.

Don't think he's talking about noise. Sounds like he's running it indoors and is trying to exhaust the compressor.

Overall a bad idea, but ya gotta do what you gotta do. You'll need tons of airflow thru the fins. I'm not sure how these are setup exactly, or how you boxed it.
I've seen them in warehouses, but that's a little different... Going thru a wall into the cool room.
Maybe try another fan for a forced intake.

I have the exhaust coming from the top of the box towards the side after the air flow passes condenser and intakes to the side of the box where air flow enters the fins. I was thinking of adding another inline fan to intake thanks

 

[jav2043]

yeah. I figured its inside
I have 1 of mine inside,
It gets pretty warm in that space.
I seriously doubt any type of inline set will work.
one of those 30" shop fans that sits on the floor is much better suited to exhaust the heat if it's inside imo.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11825.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/...b33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11825.jpgView Image
View Image
View Image

How do you exhaust your heat? I thought bout putting in another room in front of a window but didn't think that would work.

 

[the gnome]

i don't/can't vent, and its toasty in there.
my bloom room is inside another much larger open room2500sqft or so on the bottom of a multi storied structure.
the condenser is in the big room, i really have no way to exhaust the heat and its at least 100F in the day easy,
it has no effect on the cooling efficiency, i hit triple digit temps in the summer time so 100F isn't any issue as long as you have plenty of unobstructed airflow.

you mentioned putting the unit in front of the window and exhaust out, that would work imo is security is good on your end
if i were in a wood framed garage or something like that I'd get the shuttered fans like they have in greenhouses., if you have an attic you could install a whole house fan that pushes air into the attic and out the vents.
if you in a house these kinds of retro fits probably wouldn't be good ideas.
don't know your particulars but hope you find an answer

 

[Treetroit City]

Gotta agree that you need a lot more air movement, A LOT.

That 24" fan gnome posted moves 7200 cfm. Your 745 cfm won't touch that. How big is the fan on your condensor unit? I'm guessing at least 24 inches so...