Using a window AC unit as a portable indoor unit.

[MTF-Sandman]

I've been looking at getting one for a while if that counts Did a little research on em as well...any specific questions I might have an answer to?

 

[Dreamscape]

Haha ... well if you've been looking into getting one good buddy i'm sure they're solid ... that being said - what has actually prevented you from getting one already and also do you feel the price to potential ratio is good when compared to a standard window A/C , pros cons , ect ...

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Just been too strapped to replace something that's already working fine...upgrades have to come 2nd around here right now.

Pros:

More efficient
Stealth (remote the compressor away from the grow area)
Much quieter
Take up less room
Only require a 3" hole in the wall
Alot can heat and cool with the same unit
Security - can't rip it out and enter the room through the hole

Cons:

Cost!
Installs take a little more experience (if it's not precharged)

Those are about the only downsides I've found with them so far...I'm sure there's more, but I haven't found em yet.

Depending on the models, some have EER's up to 18 or more whereas most window units max out at 11-12 IME. Depending on your climate, you might want to look into using SEER for calculating efficiency...

Here's a great read on em that might give ya some ideas...

http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12430

 

[2buds]

Yep, the split units are the shit, the initial cost is why I have a window unit. If the unit above runs on R22 freon you can get it at auto parts stores and even walyworld has it on the shelf. Nice unit in the link, add heat and you got an all in one system. Has auto-restart, key feature in any digital ac unit these days. Nothing worse than killing your crop when you have a great ac unit but it forgot to cut back on after the power went out during the day. Sometimes I miss the old timey stuff, LOL.
Peace

 

[Dreamscape]

good to know ... especially the EER ratings.

Thanks

 

[hazeywonder]

Quick question..
On these units, does the compressor side that goes outside, run constantly when the ac is on? How loud would you say it is, compared to like a window unit and a house ac?
I'm just concerned about the ac running all night and maybe being suspicious.

 

[WhoAmI?]

To add to hazey's question: Must you run the condensor outside? And does the condensor expel or intake air from the grow room??

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Yes, compressor has to run for the AC to remove heat...the noise levels will depend on which models your comparing. 50dba seems to be fairly common for the compressor side...~40dba is typical for the indoor part of a quality split.

Try googling some AC units and you can get the specifics of yours...

And no, it doesn't exchange room air...there's NO ducting.

 

[Dreamscape]

I'm just concerned about the ac running all night and maybe being suspicious.

One thing to keep in mind (no pun intended) is that ONLY YOU know why your A/C is on all night ... Keep the self talk attitude of "its really hot in my house during the summer and I like to stay cool."

... its not uncommon for people to have A/C's and Heaters on all night , plus the average person won't even know what that "box thing" outside is even for ... IF it is ever brought up , which outside of your friends/family will probably NEVER happen , just state the "facts" ... Its an A/C - Heater system , simple as that ...

you're the only person that knows why you have it , to everyone else it appears normal until you start acting/reacting like it isn't normal ...

 

[goalie]

so if i have a 1500 cubic ft room this 2ton will handle it?

 

[Dreamscape]

I believe the basic rule of thumb on A/C is for every 1000watts worth of light you want something like 3000 or 4000btu's coming from you A/C.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Yeah, it's like 3400 btus per 1k...plus 20btu's per sq/ft (8' ceiling). Theres some cooling calculators out on the net...just google it and you'll find more than you want to know. Depends on ALOT of other factors that you didn't bother to show as well...

 

[Andyo]

toshiba remote compressor AC unit

toshiba remote compressor AC unit

Im living in thailand and needed to cool things down a bit My 2 grow cabinets both 5ft x 3ft 600w mh have most of the heat from the lamp sucked out by 6 inch in line duct fans constantly running and the air into the cabinets through the bottom drawn in by the vaccum caused by the 6 inch duct fans.
I just went and bought a toshiba AC unit with precharged pipes on the outside compressor took me about 1 hr to fit and get up and running.
Note i still need fresh air coming into the room the plants dont do to well with recycled air (no fresh co2) ive set the temp on the ac unit at 21 c thats the temp of the room around the cabinets.
inside the cabinets the temps fine 25 deg c..
Note shops charge double the price for AC units go to a whole saler!

Andyo