Window AC in Sealed Box

[simpleword]

First off let me start out by saying I know I've seen this done before, and I tried searching the forums but due to the ridiculous search restrictions, I couldn't search for the words, AC, air, or box.

I'll be growing in a room with a closet that's parallel with the closet in the next room. I'd like to seal off the top part of the closet and install a window AC in it. I'd then have a duct coming out of the floor and in to the sealed box, with a inline fan (on a thermostat) removing the hot air and blowing it back under the house, several feet away from the intake (and on the other side of some larger beams.

Would this work properly? Is a 6" inline duct fan overkill? What is the best way to deal with condensation? I could have it angled downward below the AC with a hose so water could drain next under the house as well, but I'm not sure if this is sufficient. Anyone with experience doing this please chime in.

 

[Ohmless]

I don't think it is overkill. I would even line the backside of the wall that contains the ac with blue foam so the heat won't go back into the garden.

 

[ak-51]

I would first try having that in-line blowing cool air into the sealed backend and forcing the air out of it through the other duct. That way hot air isn't blowing through your in-line fan. It should help extend the life of it.

I think you could have both ducts coming straight up from underneath the A/C unit, just have an elbow on the exhaust end blowing the hot air in the opposite direction.

As for the condensation you're going to need some kind of drain. First off the floor of the sealed box will need to be waterproof since the thing will drip all over it. If the exhaust tube is flush with the floor of the box then it can function as the drain tube, allowing water to run out into the basement. This might have unintended consequences if you have mold/mildew problems.

 

[whatapothead]

Why not just use a portable air conditioner with the 6" Duct out of the hot air.

I tried this setup with a 25k btu window unit. would run for 1 minute and overheat.

 

[Obsidian]

they drip like a bitch in heat.. I had a 3'x3'x15" drip tray under mine when I used a potable window ac and after 5 days it's almost full of water. I tried to keep it drained every other day. pain in the ass.

Use 10" hot exhaust out, the ac will function better.
when I used 6" line out the coils always frosted up.
a 6" out is like you trying to breath out through a straw
not easy and slow. try it, in through your nose out the straw
you get tired and light headed very fast
you want your exhaust out larger than the intake

 

[jm420]

this is on page 2 AC Boxes Made Easy (to understand and build)

 

[groer]

I have a similar setup with a 25k unit in a closet, using an 8" fan. The fresh air intake blows right onto the ac intake and the exhaust is right above the back. It works very well. I have a large plastic tub underneath for condensation.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

this is on page 2 AC Boxes Made Easy (to understand and build)

You mean THIS link?

Awesome tutorial... takes everything into consideration, even the dripping.

Stay Safe!

 

[simpleword]

You mean THIS link?

Awesome tutorial... takes everything into consideration, even the dripping.

Stay Safe!

Wonderful, thanks much, exactly what I was looking for. I had searched for a thread like that but the ridiculous search rules meant I could not search for the words AC or box, making it a bit difficult to find.

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Glad you can use the link. Extremely dense info repository in that thread. Enjoy.

Use your favorite search engine... instead of icmag's.

Just look up their rules on advanced searches that allow you to specify a website for them to search. Works pretty well, usually.

Stay Safe!