Hood Flange size and cooling

[skylined]

If I were to run 3 600 watt lamps in a DR240 wide (4 feet by 8 feet approx), should I use a 6 inch flange for ducting or an 8 inch flange for ducting? Also, what type / model / manufacturer makes the absolute QUIETEST and most reliable fans? Oh yeah, I also use a window AC unit during summer and I'm going to get a portable during the winter. Don't wanna have the damn window hanging open in 10 degree January, that's suspicious.

Peace,
~Skylined

 

[sneakyninja]

If I were to run 3 600 watt lamps in a DR240 wide (4 feet by 8 feet approx), should I use a 6 inch flange for ducting or an 8 inch flange for ducting? Also, what type / model / manufacturer makes the absolute QUIETEST and most reliable fans? Oh yeah, I also use a window AC unit during summer and I'm going to get a portable during the winter. Don't wanna have the damn window hanging open in 10 degree January, that's suspicious.

Peace,
~Skylined

Instead of using an extremely inefficient portable why not just build a box for your window a/c, move it inside the room and use the ducting system for your lights to provide the back of the a/c (that normally goes outside the window) with the fresh air it needs, just add a Y to your ducting before it goes to the lights and run one side of the Y to the lights and the other to the box then Y them back together at the end.

As far as size of ducting, it never hurts to go bigger so I'd go with 8" ducted reflectors as they are the biggest i've seen. As far as quiet fans Elicient and Vortex make what are generally regarded as both the best and the quietest inline's.

SN

 

[DIGITALHIPPY]

the a/c air is going to be hot id do the "Y" after ...

6" should be sufficiant.. S&P makes a good cheap 6" inline fan.....
if your buying new equip you might want to option up the 8" just for future expantion...less drag etc.

 

[skylined]

Unfortunately I cannot build an AC into the grow-room as I'm going to be using one of the dark-room tents. The reason I'd rather go with 6 inch ducting is because I'm sure 6 inch fans are quieter. I'm not in the slightest way concerned about the cost of the fan, doesn't matter to me if it's $500 because quietness and reliability are paramount. Extractor fans that clean the air through the filter and keep lamps cool are literally mission critical. At best I'd rather not have the fans heard through the bedroom door. Sound really does concern me. I will be buying all new equipment at summer's end once I make enough money so if there is an 8 inch fan that is sufficiently quiet and powerful please tell me what it would be. Does www.bghydro.com have it, and is that a reliable site?

Peace,
~Skylined

(edit - are centrifugal fans the quietest? Perhaps this would be the best option as far as stealthiness goes?)

 

[1love1earth]

actually, a larger diameter fan producing the same CFM as a smaller diameter fan, will be quieter.

However you need to be able to dial down the larger fan with a rheostat device.

8" elicent or vortex should be fine for you. Insulated ducting (though it takes up more space) will keep noise down even more.

 

[skylined]

What about a centrifugal fan? Aren't those even quieter? I like the 8 inch size and insulated ducting idea as well.