BRILLIANT micro diy evap air con for grow boxes/tents!

benjamin alexander

Active Member
hey all first of all i have to give partial credit for maltese grower for giving me the brainwave and my aussie diy skills for the rest!
came up with the perfect micro evap aircon for boxes/closets/tents used to control both temp and humidity if wanted (it is an evap after all) that can be easily increased/decreased in size for application! hope it helps!
note- i did it for 25 bucks, because i had parts laying around but ebay and local stores showed this could easily be done for less than 60

what you need-

1 x cotton air filter ie-pod filter for cars OR the entire air box-read below...
note:filter MUST BE COTTON! it is gonna get WET! paper filters will DIE
1 x tiny water pump - i scavenged mine from a tiny water feature only need a drip
1 x pc or inline fan not a huge cfm, 15-30 will be fine
1 x humidi/thermostat dual outlet (or double adapter)
1 x power supply for pc fan if needed (i got 240vac ones to save the hassle)
1 x res (10-30 litres)
1 x float valve for res (optional)

bits and pieces-

pvc pipe/bends/flange (optional for ducting between fan and filter just like maltese growers thread)
pvc glue
white caulking for any gaps
household tools
small black hosing same size as outlet on pump 1/4 inch for me
grow ring same circumference as top of filter 4-6 inch

HOW TO DO IT-
1-prep your res, store it out of light, air tight and i even threw a small airstone and pump in the deal because i had them laying around, keeps the water fresh.
2-install the float valve to a hard line tap if wanted (i did because of ease/not needing to refill res or worry if im out)
3-install your pump and lines through your res wall however your desired method, i use proper scew fittings with rubber seals.
4- plug your water pump into your humidi/thermostat, set to come on at your desired temperature/humidity
5-set your grow ring onto the outside of your filter, the mesh on the filter should hold it into place
6-connect the ring to the pump and run, set the flow so that it gets moist quickly but takes a minute or two to drip out.
7-make the decision to run your fan either directly off your filter or connected using pvc pipe/flange, i used pvc pipe with a plumbers small 's' trap and a 90degree bend to avoid any excess water dripping through the fan blades or into the motor and added a drain/drip point at the collection point of the 's' trap to drain away excess moisture using the leftover black tubing, recirculated back to the res!
8-mount your fan to the flange/end of filter, hook fan up to same humidi/thermostat to come on at the same time
9-mount the whole thing wherever you want, personally ive mounted two pod filters, one either side of the top of my cab like horns (stealth not really an issue for me lol) one for the evap one for the carbon scrubber.
10-test run the whole lot, can take some tweaking to get the water flow rate right to provide enough moisture for the fan to draw though and dry out without being too dry or wet.

this can also be mounted internally for complete stealth, can use a traditional 'air box' from a car air filter assembly if you find a decent one (i found one off a holden, nice big flat cotton filter with a perfectly round 6 inch outlet, could be completely sealed and fit with a coupla sprayers instead of a drip ring, saving it for an upgrade later...) or be modified with say one internal 360degree micro mister mounted INSIDE the filter itself to spray the walls internally-i am going to do this just for uniformity between the two filters on my cab lol.

i have also experimented with ice blocks and having my res in the fridge, ice blocks work well to lower the temp and keep the humidity and putting it in the fridge lowers both temps and humidity? go figure?

i have personally been able to lower the temps in my cab on a 42 degree day (107f about) with temps in the garage reaching 55 (130f?) all the way down to 26 (about 80f?) wile keeping humidity within the 50-60% range the whole time.

there ya go, pics to come, camera is stuffed atm but it really does work and fantastically! hope to see someone else try this!

ben :clap:
 

monkster

Active Member
I'm the type that needs to see pics in order to "see it" so i'm waiting...really need this because my temps are high and i don't have the room for a portable a/c.
 

benjamin alexander

Active Member
sorry monkster, ive been really busy lately, i promise they are coming! im going to re-make it a little better again, not quite happy with the finish so ill take more pics then, post them all up together
 

ch3mical420

Active Member
Heres a homemade aircon like thing I quickly put together! as a matter a fact everything is diy with me haha!!
just fill this badboy with some ice cubes and icepacks and it cools for a good day!! maybe longer! ddnt even think of ever timing it!
Peace!

aircon2dwc.jpgdiy aircon.pngdwcaircon.jpg
 

NewbyGrower77

Active Member
Intresting..But due to lack of my english it's hard to understand. This is DFY solution for hot locations, right ? Like alternative solution for a A/C :( if its i badly need some solution like this :)


edited : I just seen it's very old thread and i am very new to the forum. Pardon me.
 
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