AC condenser inside of large space? Warehouse questions.

[FlowerFarmer]

Hey all,

I've got an opportunity to possibly do a larger DE grow in a very large space.

The space is roughly 2 sections with one being 2000sqft and the other 5000sqft. It's too early to say how it'd have to be set up so that I'm comfortable doing it, but I'm curious about some cooling thoughts.


I'd like to possibly start with 24 1200w nanolux DEs. I'm thinking 2 5 tons ACs should cool this.


With this much space can keep my outdoor condenser in the warehouse itself? Assuming I kept my garden in a purpose built room in the smaller 2000 sqft section, could the larger 5000 sqft warehouse dissipate the heat from a few 5 ton condensers?


Expanding on that.. how many would overwhelm the space should I decide to add more lights down the road. Say perhaps 48 total DE lights being the goal.. with something like 4-5 5 ton air conditioners.


Situation seems to be a lease in which the owner is out of state and the property manager has gave indication that he's doesn't care what the building is used for and that he'll not be ever needing inside the building. Just not sure I'm comfortable slapping a row of 5 ton ac's outside of a freshly cleaned up building in which a central air was just added for the office areas.

He doesn't want the building modified so I'm not really inclined to go drilling holes through the block perimeter walls to route my ac lines.


Any thoughts?

 

[stoney917]

Well first thought. ... ur gonna need a large room with hella ventilation n other things.... .. them things need a shitton of air... it not recommended but doable . But neone with in field ac experience will tell u dont do it... if u do id highly recommend having a spare condenser or 2 on hand n an ac guy on call who is reliable. ..

 

[stoney917]

Roof?????

 

[billyboat]

It can be done but you will need a minimum extraction fan of 500 CFM per ton of ac that is in inside. And if you are sucking out that much air you will also need a big blower on the intake, passive won't cut it.

I have 2 5 ton condensors inside and they run on a flip flop, and my 24" 4500 CFM fan can barely keep the 25,000 cu ft space below 100, when its hot out.

The 5 ton units put out a shit ton of heat.

I have 7 other units on the roof, and IMO the roof is the best place for them. They have no business being inside.

 

[FlowerFarmer]

Thanks for the responses guys.

 

[growing303]

Here is an idea.

Here is an idea.

A buddy of mine is in a similar situation, he bought two 5 ton AC's that have an indoor ducted condenser. he rigged them up to 12" wall vents. For you this would mean you still have to cut neat holes in the warehouse, but you are not going to need to create a "lung room" with huge amounts of efficiency loss.

here is a link to similar units.

http://unitedcoolair.com/horizontal-indoor-air-conditioners

Also a you-tube grower just build a room with mini-split condensers in a "lung room" above his grow room (his ballasts) are also in the "lung room." he has not been using it long enough to produce much for results but i would follow his progression.

https://www.youtube.com/user/medicropper

 

[r2k]

Unless you have the budget and time to make adjustments if needed, I would say you should follow manufacturer directions and put the compressor outside with plenty of free airflow.

With a building that huge, you will have a large solar heating load. It would be good to take that into account. If you leave loading doors open, you might get some nice ventilation. It all depends on where you are and what you can do.

-r2k

 

[queequeg152]

condensers should be outside... can they come inside? yes, but like others have said its not ideal.

id suggest a package AC btw... they are not terribly efficient, usually around 13 seer, but they are cheaper than a split unit will be.

you possibly will have access to three phase power... consider getting a larger unit rather than many smaller units.

if you have three phase power, you likely to ONLY have three phase power, and you are likely on a transformer for your single phase.
you need to find out how large this transformer is... some can be as small as like... 200va for storage facilities that require a modicum of single phase power, small offices and yard lighting etc.

if you cant get a unit onto the roof, and you are wary of an exposed unit due to thievery or what ever... id suggest building a CMU enclosure immediately adjacent to the building. if you do a shitty job and omit horizontal bars or horizontal ladder joint reinforcement, then such a structure can be broken down very easily with hammers or an SDS hammer when ever you move out.

if you absolutly must have some condensing unit indoors for what ever reason, id suggest buying some old integer horsepower tubeaxial type warehouse ventilators... they come in roof mounts for just about any roof pitch... gable mounts, and ground level wall mounts with louvers etc.
there's warehouses and storage facilities being renovated all the time... you could easily find something like that used if you were willing to freight it in from say... a state away or something.

 

[hvac guy]

Never put condenser inside a building, it can cause your temp near the ceiling to reach over 50C/120F, even with large CFM exhaust fan(s), it is not a good idea, try and place the condenser outside.

 

[spartanwarrior]

don't do it trust me