It's getting hot!!! How can I build a light damper for my window ac unit?

I bought an 8000 btu ac unit for my window because I live in the desert and it gets to be about 105 outside in this town. I'm going to add the window ac and I'm using 1 1000 watt hps with a vented hood.So that should control the temps . So basicly I need to seal the air and and any light around the ac unit. Or coming threw it. Any suggestions?

get a can of that expanding foam and spray it around seams

Indeed, but dont get it on your fingers, it wont come off easily.

will do,thats a great idea to seal it up. I'm also getting a blower to suck the hot air threw the light and out the room.(it's a vented hood.)So I'll attach one duct to one end and leave the other open. So the hot air in the room gets sucked out ...I was told that I should build a box around the ac unit to block any light that comes threw the actual machine. Any design ideas?

Dog you push air through the hood not pull dude.

dont worry about light getting through the AC unit there should be none and if any does it will not affect the plant in any way shape or form. There will be no lumes to get through. You can seal the crack around the unit but that's all you need to do. Just have the back end out of the room that is where the heat comes from.

uh oh...

LOL

I have actually never seen anybody push air through the hood..

I have only see PULLING......

DUCTING GOING OUTSIDE,
FAN PULLING AIR ,
DUCTING connecting fan and reflector ,
LIGHT/HOOD/REFLECTOR

visualize in this order from left to right

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BlueDragonSmoke

get a can of that expanding foam and spray it around seams

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good idea its not that dear eigther i need to get a can of this at some point
cheers all :)

Just dont spray that much either...lol a little goes a long way

cool
Zandor, I was talking about buying an exaust fan.
Because I'm only going to be using 1 of the lights this summer.
Does it make a difference if I suck air or blow it. Sucking it would be way easier to set up. Thats why those lights arent already beening vented with that huge blower. That blower would need 2 holes in the wall. There is one hole and my partner doesn't want to make anymore holes. Thats why I was going to get an exaust and suck the hot air threw the light.
You know, attatch the duct to one side and leave the other side open for the hot air to get sucked out of the room.
How strong should my exaust be to suck all the hot air out of the room?
Zandor if this is a problem let me know. I'm not going to be able to use the big ass blower until I move. Then I'll blow the air threw.

Thx for the info guys.
I think I'll build a little box around the AC anyway so the cool air isn't blowing directly on the plants. And for my own peace of mind.

I've been real parinoid about light leaks. But the hermies I had weren't from a light leak I don't think. Some other ppl are having hermie problems with those strains too. They are testers.

a 200-300 cfm exhaust fan can easily pull air from 10 feet away and cool down your entire room , if it has 1 - 1000 watt HID bulb to deal with

if you have a sourse of cool air(new air coming into the room as the hot hair is pulled out).. like a basement... you dont even nee to pull the air straight from the hood.. you just need to change the air in the room... regularly.. and then have a fan blowing on your plants...

: )

Cool thx KNowm .I think I'll do that.
I wanted to runit threw the light so I could get it closer to the plants though.So I am going to run it thru the light. But between that and the ac inthe window I'll be fine. I'm also going to switch to lights on at night .

The idea of pushing air through a hood is simple physics.

When you pull the air through the hood the fan will work harder and still may not get up to speed. The backpressure of the motor working hard will also generate HEAT. Do you push air through the AC in your house or pull it through. You push the air across the coils not pull it across.

By having the blower outside and pushing air through the hoods the motor spins at full RPM's and has no back pressure to start with. Pushing the air will create a small amount of backpressure but with the motor spinning at full RPM there is no noticeable problems.

You can install it either way but my way the motor will last longer and produce less heat.

It's up to you.

Right on Zandor..Good info.
I see now.

Just thought I would add my 2 cents.

When we used window units (back when I worked nights) I used to use Duct tape around it. Especially with the vinyl windows.... it is a much easier clean up. 2 layers keeps all light out... which is important when you sleep through the day as well...lol

Cool, thx Sticky!
I'll do that. The unit came with these foam things to put imbetween the window and AC unit. But I don't think it's enough.
I'll add a couple layers of duct tape. Plus I'm going to inselate the window that has to stay open.
I'm going to cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood. And bolt it on the inside and outside of the window. And put inselation inbetween the wood.And ac will come threw the wood.
I'm also going to hang a shade thing above the window to keep it in the shade.:thumbsup:
As far as the light vent goes. I have to do it with a fan that sucks instead of blows because I only have one hole in the wall and my partner doesn't want to put more holes in the wall.
When I move,I'll do it the right way.By then I will have bought my own vented hood.I already have the ballast and socket.
Anyone got a vented hood here in Cali that they want to sell?
Something with 2 4 inch holes. And can be hooked up to SUnlight supply ballast and socket.