Mini Split Air Conditioners

[VagPuncher]

Im looking at running a decent sized show. Anywhere from 9 600's to 10 1000's.

Obviously heat will be an issue.

Are these A/C units good for grow rooms?

http://www.airlux.ca/_catalog_53905/Multi_Zone_Ductless_Split_Air_Conditioners_and_Heat_Pumps

Or should I get a 2 ton chiller?

 

[Guest 18340]

They work perfectly in a grow room. I love my mini split!

 

[VagPuncher]

Hey,

How many lights you running?

How many BTU's is your AC?

 

[bass ackwards]

A general rule of thumb would be 4000btu's for every 1000watts.

Respect bass

 

[Lone Wolf]

i had a question about mini splits... does the unit that doesnt sit in the room have to sit outside or can it be put in a basement or another room within the house? this is the part im talking about...

 

[bass ackwards]

You can place that part anywhere you like,if it inside the house be prepared to deal with the heat it will exhaust. The reason for placing the unit outside is to exhaust the heat from the inside of the premises. Inside placement will work as long as you deal with the exhausted heat.

 

[Lone Wolf]

You can place that part anywhere you like,if it inside the house be prepared to deal with the heat it will exhaust. The reason for placing the unit outside is to exhaust the heat from the inside of the premises. Inside placement will work as long as you deal with the exhausted heat.

do you think heat buildup will cause the mini split to not work as effectively? i plan on purchasing one of these units, but a multi-zone unit because i will be having two 4k rooms going on a flip and want to keep them cool.. - i plan on growing in a multi unit home and I really would like to avoid putting the condenser outside anywhere as i plan on running in the winter time... the basement of the home is pretty large so im thinking the heat might be able to be dispersed pretty evenly...
nobody will be livng in the home, so i can put the unit anywhere within the house... its a 3 level home with 3 units, and i plan on putting the grow on the 2nd level/consuming 2 bedrooms that are divided by a bathroom.. i was even thinking about putting the condensing unit in the bathroom and just installing a heavy duty ceiling fan/vent to expel the heat...

whattya think?

 

[LoudBlunts]

have you thought about hydroinnovation's icebox?

 

[Lone Wolf]

have you thought about hydroinnovation's icebox?

its a great invention, but i have always had a hard time putting water near electricity... im old school, and would like to be able to sleep at night..

also, this product is still so new to the scene, i would like to see some other successfull users before i delve into it...

 

[bass ackwards]

How about putting it in the basement near the furnace? Build an enclosure around the exhaust side of the unit,it wouldn't have to be airtight,and direct the exhaust through ducting into the exhaust from the furnace and up the chimney. This ducting that you create would require a exhaust fan and a motorized damper to work properly. Wire the damper to open and the fan to go on when the unit goes on. With a properly sized fan you would be able to exhaust even when the furnace is running. Using a motorized damper would keep exhaust from the furnace from escaping through your new ducting and entering into the basement.

Respect bass

 

[Lone Wolf]

How about putting it in the basement near the furnace? Build an enclosure around the exhaust side of the unit,it wouldn't have to be airtight,and direct the exhaust through ducting into the exhaust from the furnace and up the chimney. This ducting that you create would require a exhaust fan and a motorized damper to work properly. Wire the damper to open and the fan to go on when the unit goes on. With a properly sized fan you would be able to exhaust even when the furnace is running. Using a motorized damper would keep exhaust from the furnace from escaping through your new ducting and entering into the basement.

Respect bass

great thinking... im going to have to look into that a little more... ! respect

 

[VagPuncher]

So this setup could handle 5000 watts easy?

http://www.airlux.ca/_product_53905/2_Zone_Inverter_-_Air_Conditioners_And_Heat_Pumps_2_x_12000_BTU

 

[Johnny Rotten]

Check this thread on how to build a lung room:

http://icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=126484&highlight="lung+room"

You should build it somewhere that can be opened up during the winter. There is no sense exhausting heat when it can go towards heating your house.

I wouldn't touch the furnace exhaust, unless you're a fan of asbestos and don't mind a little blood in the lungs.

 

[bass ackwards]

VagPuncher,The 2x12000BTU unit would cool two rooms each with appx. 3000 watts. Other things within the room have to be taken into consideration such as fans,dehumidifiers,pumps,etc. They all produce heat.

Respect bass

 

[bass ackwards]

JR, good link, Micro Grow has his operation down close to a science. His threads are informative and useful.
I have replaced many furnaces and boilers in residential properties and have not come across asbestos ducting once. If you do come upon it simply replace it. Long term exposure to asbestos is the problem not the time it takes to replace it or work around it (several hours at most).

Respect bass

 

[Guest 18340]

Mine is a 9kbtu (with inverter) in a 5x10 with 2 600w, uncooled. Both ballasts and a dehimidifier are in their as well. It maintains 76 degrees (+/- 3 degrees) perfectly 24/7 no sweat.
These unit are extremely efficient. In fact, I plan on upgrading to 2x1000w. I don't think ill have to cool those either.
Whatever model you choose, do yourself a favor and make sure it uses an inverter. Also, no matter what brand you choose, the heart of the system is the compressor so make sure it has a name brand compressor.
Also, you will have to have a tech vacuum the lines.
Make sure the unit you get comes with EVERYTHING, including the line set.
Most come precharged with enough for the line set that comes with it, (usually 25'). You can use a longer line set bvut you will have to have extra freon to make up the dif.
Here's where I ordered mine from, theirs alot of info here about mini splits: http://www.portableacshopping.com/mini-split-air-conditioner.html
Mine is the 19 seer 9k btu.
They are whisper quiet, both the inside and outside unit. Nobody will hear anything.

 

[Johnny Rotten]

JR, good link, Micro Grow has his operation down close to a science. His threads are informative and useful.
I have replaced many furnaces and boilers in residential properties and have not come across asbestos ducting once. If you do come upon it simply replace it. Long term exposure to asbestos is the problem not the time it takes to replace it or work around it (several hours at most).

Respect bass

If your house was built before 1970, I can almost guarantee you the vent pipe will be asbestos insulated. You may not get hurt from it, but why take the chance?

Another even better reason not to do what you suggested is that your furnace is specifically designed for the CFM of your vent pipe. When you try to push double the air out of a pipe not designed for that much CFM, guess what happens? Your furnace won't exhaust the carbon monoxide properly and your A/C will overheat as well.

Things like this aren't done for a reason. Why do people with no real experience on the subject try to reinvent the wheel on someone else's dime? It baffles my mind... If you are an A/C tech, LOLx1000.

Intake your air from an outside source and vent it from a dedicated vent. Any hack with a sawz-all, some vent pipe and a can of tar can install there own vent.

 

[bass ackwards]

JR,All you have to do is install a solenoid on the system which won't allow the fan to run and the baffle to open when the furnace is operating,it's not hard to figure that out. Never have run into asbestos on furnace vents and as I said before it is an easy work around. Not used to having people contradict you are you?

 

[Johnny Rotten]

No, I don't mind contradiction at all, if it is sound advice, which this is not. I actually enjoy a good debate, as long as both people are bringing facts and experience to the table. Have you done this yourself?

So now what happens to the heat in the lung room when the damper is closed? Oh, it just stays in there and jacks up the pressures of your a/c making it work much harder and wear out faster killing the efficiency of the system, with the potential to shut it down and toast your plants. You'd also might need two dampers so they don't back-feed into each other @ 120$ a piece.

I just don't like people giving advice that is destined to fail or be a serious headache. That isn't what we are about on ICMAG. We are about helping growers with sound and tested advice. We don't need another SproutCo around here.

 

[bass ackwards]

Yes,I have done this myself,several times. Who besides you said anything about a lung room? Have you looked at your furnace or boiler? Doesn't it have a damper? There is your second damper. My advice is sound,not like your opinions. I will not perpetuate this discussion any further your opinions have no merit,that is why you engage in name calling.