Grow Room A/C

[Frostynugman]

You could run a flip flop with a central ac or multi zone mini 2 8 light rooms.

 

[CannabisJohn]

Either 12 or 16 k trying to budget out what I can afford... Going to go open hood and sealed room for co2 but so I think I'm going to need at least a 5 ton... Interesting thought to use two minis , are there any smart acs that can take advantage of all the cold air outside in the winter?

If open hood then 2 lights per ton so a 5 ton will do 12 lights 99% of the time assuming room is properly insulated. Need 7.5 to 8 tons for 16 lights. You can look for a unit with an economizer for outside air. Wouldn't recommend it if you want a sealed room. Mini splits only come in 3 ton max for a single zone unit. The multizone 4 ton units are way too pricey.

 

[Frostynugman]

For central air units what would be some reliable brands?

 

[cc503]

If open hood then 2 lights per ton so a 5 ton will do 12 lights 99% of the time assuming room is properly insulated. Need 7.5 to 8 tons for 16 lights. You can look for a unit with an economizer for outside air. Wouldn't recommend it if you want a sealed room. Mini splits only come in 3 ton max for a single zone unit. The multizone 4 ton units are way too pricey.

thanks i looked up the mr slims they look pretty legit, and think i will go with 2 mini splits and prob just start with 12 any . DO the seers go down as the btus go up? i saw a 9000 btu that had a 30 seer but couldnt find anything close to that for there 3 ton minis, considerations as far as what what do you feel like the trade offs are between an open hood co2 setup where you would have to use

If open hood then 2 lights per ton so a 5 ton will do 12 lights 99% of the time assuming room is properly insulated. Need 7.5 to 8 tons for 16 lights. You can look for a unit with an economizer for outside air. Wouldn't recommend it if you want a sealed room. Mini splits only come in 3 ton max for a single zone unit. The multizone 4 ton units are way too pricey.

Thanks I checked out the mr slims and think im going to go with 2 minis and 12 lights since i prob couldnt afford to properly cool 16 lights. Are there any considerations for what indoor unit style to choose or do people just always go with the wall mount? Also what do you think the trade offs are of having an open hood room where you have to have more btus vs an air cooled set up where you are losing some of your light? and then final question do the seers automatically go down as the btus go up ?

 

[CannabisJohn]

thanks i looked up the mr slims they look pretty legit, and think i will go with 2 mini splits and prob just start with 12 any . DO the seers go down as the btus go up? i saw a 9000 btu that had a 30 seer but couldnt find anything close to that for there 3 ton minis, considerations as far as what what do you feel like the trade offs are between an open hood co2 setup where you would have to use

Thanks I checked out the mr slims and think im going to go with 2 minis and 12 lights since i prob couldnt afford to properly cool 16 lights. Are there any considerations for what indoor unit style to choose or do people just always go with the wall mount? Also what do you think the trade offs are of having an open hood room where you have to have more btus vs an air cooled set up where you are losing some of your light? and then final question do the seers automatically go down as the btus go up ?

The seer rating does not go up automatically with less BTUs. Part of seer rating is based on coil size. Bigger indoor coil helps with that. Easier to do when BTU rating of unit is small. Wall is used 99% of the time.. Least expensive and easier install. Better to have open lights IMO.

 

[CannabisJohn]

For central air units what would be some reliable brands?

I use York's residential brand which is Luxaire. Price point good and equipment good also. Trane is good also but more expensive.

 

[Frostynugman]

Thanks!!!

 

[blazer]

For central air units what would be some reliable brands?

Trane,Rheem,Carrier,lennox,York all are good name brand units

 

[CannabisJohn]

Trane,Rheem,Carrier,lennox,York all are good name brand units

I disagree with Rheem. They are ok at best. Carrier and Lennox are too expensive. They are reliable but too pricey IMO.

 

[whatthe215]

Hey John, I've got a 5ton zoned to 2 12kw + NG co2 rooms and have been having issues this summer. At first I thought it was a dirty evaporator but I got in the attic the other day and it wasn't dirty at all. There is a 18kbtu window unit for each room as well, 6.5 tons and the room sits at ~86f on these 110f+ days.... doesn't make sense.

The returns are zoned as well, and I'm starting to think the return is undersized. It's 16x32" (512sqin.) Am I correct thinking I need another return for each room?

The second return needs to be ducted to the opposite side of the evaporator, right? ie They can't both enter the evaporator via the same 18" duct?

Thanks!

 

[CannabisJohn]

Hey John, I've got a 5ton zoned to 2 12kw + NG co2 rooms and have been having issues this summer. At first I thought it was a dirty evaporator but I got in the attic the other day and it wasn't dirty at all. There is a 18kbtu window unit for each room as well, 6.5 tons and the room sits at ~86f on these 110f+ days.... doesn't make sense.

The returns are zoned as well, and I'm starting to think the return is undersized. It's 16x32" (512sqin.) Am I correct thinking I need another return for each room?

The second return needs to be ducted to the opposite side of the evaporator, right? ie They can't both enter the evaporator via the same 18" duct?

Thanks!

What makes you think return is undersized? Are you having freeze ups? What is difference between supply and return air temps? The air flow velocity is 562 ft/min thru rectangle section and about 1100 thru 18 inch. I use 18 inch return duct all the time for short runs without problems. I would more at temps not returns.

 

[blazer]

Been very happy with rheem systems there condensors are super quiet except the new contractor models, but the price point is excellent and good quality equipment in my experience. that i have worked on and installed them!

 

[CannabisJohn]

Been very happy with rheem systems there condensors are super quiet except the new contractor models, but the price point is excellent and good quality equipment in my experience. that i have worked on and installed them!

Might be better than they were.

 

[blazer]

Might be better than they were.

Yeah there old equipment sucked using rheem since late 90's and very happy thats why I actually listed it second and they are priced decently,there condensors use a 2 prop fan which is super quiet compared some other condensors w/ copeland comps of course!

 

[whatthe215]

What makes you think return is undersized? Are you having freeze ups? What is difference between supply and return air temps? The air flow velocity is 562 ft/min thru rectangle section and about 1100 thru 18 inch. I use 18 inch return duct all the time for short runs without problems. I would more at temps not returns.

I read that ~1000sqin of return is preferred for a 5ton to get full air flow. I'm not getting the cooling I should from 6.5 tons.

No freeze ups since I switched from regular hepa type filters to the high flow cheapo 30 day green filters.

Not sure of the temp difference, she blows pretty cold. Do you think improper charge is more likely than undersized return? It's a goodman base model.

 

[CannabisJohn]

I read that ~1000sqin of return is preferred for a 5ton to get full air flow. I'm not getting the cooling I should from 6.5 tons.

No freeze ups since I switched from regular hepa type filters to the high flow cheapo 30 day green filters.

Not sure of the temp difference, she blows pretty cold. Do you think improper charge is more likely than undersized return? It's a goodman base model.

I think that improper charge is more likely. A 2nd return will not hurt. But I doubt it will solve your problem. The unit could be slightly undercharged.
Take air temps.

 

[Puscifer]

Yes you can. That is a low pressure port which is where u need to add it.

I'm a stoner so I want to make sure I understand your reply.
Inside the outdoor unit there is a low pressure port. (Looks like it almost sits on the compressor). Theirs a tag attached to it that says it's a low pressure service valve where a tech can take a pressure reading OR add R410. In order to get to that port though I have to remove the whole case.
Not all brands have a service port like that and those brands say to charge using the low pressure 3 way port that's on the outside of the outdoor unit, the port where I vac from.
Can I use the 3 way on the Mitsubishi or do I have use the port that has the tag on it?
Sorry for the repeat question but I just want to be sure. I hate the whole liquid charging into a gas port but seems most mini splits are done that way...

 

[Puscifer]

One more question, do you charge while the unit is running? Mind you, the unit is up/running, just need to add a few oz for the extra line set. Being slightly low on refrigerant doesn't seem to affect these Mr Slims.

 

[CannabisJohn]

I'm a stoner so I want to make sure I understand your reply.
Inside the outdoor unit there is a low pressure port. (Looks like it almost sits on the compressor). Theirs a tag attached to it that says it's a low pressure service valve where a tech can take a pressure reading OR add R410. In order to get to that port though I have to remove the whole case.
Not all brands have a service port like that and those brands say to charge using the low pressure 3 way port that's on the outside of the outdoor unit, the port where I vac from.
Can I use the 3 way on the Mitsubishi or do I have use the port that has the tag on it?
Sorry for the repeat question but I just want to be sure. I hate the whole liquid charging into a gas port but seems most mini splits are done that way...

Use the port on outside of unit where you put vacuum pump on. The two ports are the same thing so no reason to disassemble the unit. Always has to be running to add refrigerant. Always have to do thru low pressure port.

 

[CannabisJohn]

Im sure cj will comment on this but yes, use the service port to charge.and charge with unit on and set low to cool.make sure your 410 bottle is upside down when charging also, with 410 you want the liquid first unlike the older refrigerants. Gl

100% correct.