CO2 and Air Conditioning...

[Potentate]

Hello,

I'm trying to figure out what I should do about temperature/humidity control in a sealed room with CO2 injection. The area is about 6x7 by 7 feet tall and I intend to put 10-12 plants in there...pretty much covering the area. I will be injecting CO2 into the room (no monitor this time around, just a timer/regulator) and want to keep it sealed for CO2 conservation/smell sake.

However, there will be two 1000 watt lights blaring away in there. Even though they will be air cooled, I'm sure the temps will be excessive. Therefore, I need some form of control...ie: an air conditioner. I foolishly bought one of those "portable" floor standing models, but later found out it exhausts room air along with the hot compressor air, therefore messing with my CO2 concentrations. I'm wondering which style of air conditioners simply cool the space they are in without exhausing any of the air...my goal would be to keep CO2 as even as possible while keeping smells in...I've looked into the "split air" systems, but from what I gather you need a technician to install them (a no no in this case). Do the "regular" window mounted air conditioners pull air out of the room they are cooling, or would they work for CO2?

Thanks for your time

 

[cabanetforester]

Hmmm

Hmmm

I have thought about using one of those portable ac's also. Some have a duct that come out the back but I'm not sure what that does. I'm thinking its for the hot air but I dono.

Assuming you have sealed hoods for the lights so they get their air intake and exaust seperate from the room ventilation.

You might be able to place the portable AC in a sealed cabinet. Cut two holes in the cabinet. One for exausting the hot compressor air and one for circulating the cooled air. Without seeing the AC I don't know if this is possible though? You said the AC vents the warm air along with the cool air? They come out of the same vent? Sorry im confused as to how this unit works.

I don't know what kind of portable ac you have and I'm new at all this, but I'm thinking of building something similar this summer.

 

[Potentate]

I took the air conditioner apart and pretty much figured out it uses room air to cool the compressor. If you can imagine, it has two grates on one of its sides...one on top of the other. The bottom grate is to pull air in to cool the compressor. The top grate is to pull room air in over a set of coils to cool it. The top part of the air conditioner (what cools the room) is sealed from the bottom (compressor). I just have to come up with an inventive way to seal off that bottom grate, so that it is pulling in air from outside the grow to cool the compressor...this shouldn't be too much of a problem. It also saves me the trouble of buying another unit.

 

[Potentate]

Oh yea, it also has one exhaust duct. If I were purchasing air conditioners again, I would look for a model that has dual ducts. These models isolate the compressor from the room for you...which is really the way all of them should be for maximum efficiency...but you can't win them all. To save money, I suggest you look into some of the units manufactured in China. They are of a very high quality and are at a good price.

 

[pugnacious]

What you are looking for is a portable ac that has dual hoses. One hose pulls in air, and the other exhausts it. Ive read rewiews that they work very well as long as they dual hoses are properly vented, they cool the space with out withdrawing air.

 

[Guest]

Mitsubishi Mini Split. Precharged lines so no silver soldering. Google search it.

 

[Potentate]

Okay, Mitsu Mini-Split. I've found a number of models...how many BTUs should I shoot for, for 2x 1KW in a small space...9000 or 12000? Also, just to verify, the end user can install this unit without a problem, right? I have technical/electrical know-how, but I really cannot have an air-condish tech. come to my house to install this unit, for obvious reasons...

Thanks for your time.

 

[Guest]

You shoud be able to install it yourself with no special tools in a couple of hours. You need basic wrenches, a hammer drill (optional) allen key set, and balls to get into your breaker panel to install a new breaker. The 9000 btu will be plenty for your space with the air cooled hoods. Im envious of your new pimp ass A/c system Good luck.

 

[pugnacious]

its 3000-4000 btu each 1000w.

 

[Potentate]

Well, I've already installed two new breakers (@ 20 amps a piece) for the room to begin with, so I think that part is out of the way. I take it the rest of it isn't all that difficult, provided I have the aforementioned equipment?