Tent is way too hot

M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
I got all my parts together and everything plumbed in. Figured I should run it for a while to make sure everything works the way I want it to. I put a thermometer in at the distance where the canopy would roughly be and fired up my 180cfm fan, which in a 4x4x7 tent should do. It's running for about 90 minutes now and the thermometer shows 88 degrees with the light on. That's even hotter than when I ran two dinky computer fans!

I'm at whits end :(
 
M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
I really need help here. My girlfriend harps at be on a daily basis how I try to fix everything myself, never ask for help. Now, I ask for help. Even if you think you don't know, but discussing it might lead me on the right pass. So, please, anything is better than nothing!
 
Rusher

Rusher

Well-Known Member
Funny. Going through the exact same thing now.

I stole some advice from the DWC guys here on RIU who freeze a 1 gallon water jug and drop it into their reservoir when it gets too hot. I have a small under the stairs thing going, 3x3x5 and I can't control the heat (bigger fan purchased and on it's way) so I am currently hanging a frozen gallon jug in the room everyday at lights on at about waist height, and allowing the fan in the room to move the cool air. It lowers the temperature to a nice even 77-78 deg F. Perfect. You may need two. It works. Put a towel underneath to catch the condensate, and you're off to the races. Just my two cents.

Good luck!

Edit: I remove the jug 10 minutes before lights out and refreeze it for the next day.
 
M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
Rusher said:
Funny. Going through the exact same thing now.

I stole some advice from the DWC guys here on RIU who freeze a 1 gallon water jug and drop it into their reservoir when it gets too hot. I have a small under the stairs thing going, 3x3x5 and I can't control the heat (bigger fan purchased and on it's way) so I am currently hanging a frozen gallon jug in the room everyday at lights on at about waist height, and allowing the fan in the room to move the cool air. It lowers the temperature to a nice even 77-78 deg F. Perfect. You may need two. It works. Put a towel underneath to catch the condensate, and you're off to the races. Just my two cents.

Good luck!

Edit: I remove the jug 10 minutes before lights out and refreeze it for the next day.
Click to expand...
Hmmm... I never thought something like that would have a chance in hell to effect anything at this cfm. But I'm certainly going to try it!
Where do you put it? On top to suck up the heat as it raises, or at the intake to cool it as it comes in?
 
Rusher

Rusher

Well-Known Member
Like I said, I hang it waist high from a bungee, hooked to the top of my space. Maybe you could do something similar. I was really surprised by the results, and I know how idiotic it sounds. Mrs.Rusher was having a good laugh when I hung two in there at once, and the temperature dropped to 73 deg F after 90 minutes. I actually had to remove one because it was so cold. And dude, I have no clue if it will work for you, it may not, but it solved my issue in a hurry.
 
M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
Rusher said:
Like I said, I hang it waist high from a bungee, hooked to the top of my space. Maybe you could do something similar. I was really surprised by the results, and I know how idiotic it sounds. Mrs.Rusher was having a good laugh when I hung two in there at once, and the temperature dropped to 73 deg F after 90 minutes. I actually had to remove one because it was so cold. And dude, I have no clue if it will work for you, it may not, but it solved my issue in a hurry.
Click to expand...
Then I'm going to try it! It's not like I got fuck all to loose anyways. I think I'll put a few bottles, like the small water bottles and let the air work its way through that.
Thanks for responding, it's much apreciated :)
 
Rusher

Rusher

Well-Known Member
Anytime. I stole it from someone here, I have no idea who to give credit to.

Thanks RIU !!

There.
 
M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
whitebb2727 said:
Got a pic of the fan setup?

Where are you exhausting the heat?
Click to expand...
Fan and filter are above the light, right under the roof of the tent. It blows through duct and a muffler into the basement which is cool. The whole house is on central air. And the fresh air is coming into the tent through the passive vents of the tent.
 
M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
I can take a pic and it will show exactly that. I went and took the sock off of the filter, figuring it might restrict airflow. But nope, no dif
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
MadButcher said:
Fan and filter are above the light, right under the roof of the tent. It blows through duct and a muffler into the basement which is cool. The whole house is on central air. And the fresh air is coming into the tent through the passive vents of the tent.
Click to expand...
Draw that cool basement sir in the tent and rid the heat some where else.
 
Rusher

Rusher

Well-Known Member
Like I said, I'm waiting for my proper fan to arrive, right now I have a bathroom fan pulling 100cfm (for my 55cf space) through a carbon filter I attached through a DIY wooden box. It's ugly as fuck, but it did the job until we had to start running heat in the basement due to colder outdoor temps.

You want ugly? Here you go:
 

Attachments

M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
whitebb2727 said:
Draw that cool basement sir in the tent and rid the heat some where else.
Click to expand...
Trust me, if I could, I would. I get terrible temperature differences of over 60 degrees through the seasons and can't really "vent out" cos that air will have to be made up for and heated in the winter. It just plain sucks!
A retired grower in my area offered to donate a few things to me, like fans and shit. I'll see what's in that box of wonders when I get it. So far, I need more cfm, even so what I have should do. Should have not been a cheap bastard and invest in a good light. Fuck, I'm mad about this now :(
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
MadButcher said:
Fan and filter are above the light, right under the roof of the tent. It blows through duct and a muffler into the basement which is cool. The whole house is on central air. And the fresh air is coming into the tent through the passive vents of the tent.
Click to expand...
You need an intake. If you're using already a 4" fan I'm assuming for that low of cfm, you could probably get away with even just a small Booster fan for ducts. $25 on ebay.
Bring in air DIRECTLY from your central air vent. Like duct it into the square box part the cover goes in to and seal all the sides so it's completely ducted into it. Close your flaps. Try that.

If it doesn't help enough, put an oscillating floor fan 8-12" RIGHT NEXT to to open passive flap. It did wonders for me and make sure your thermometer is at the same height as the canopy. I reccomend hanging it directly in/above your canopy honestly. If it's up high, your getting a skewed reading.
 
Last edited:
M

MadButcher

Well-Known Member
Airwalker16 said:
You need an intake. If you're using already a 4" fan I'm assuming for that low of cfm, you could probably get away with even just a small Booster fan for ducts. $25 on ebay.
Bring in air DIRECTLY from your central air vent. Like duct it into the square box part the cover goes in to and seal all the sides so it's completely ducted into it. Close your flaps. Try that.

If it doesn't help enough, put an oscillating floor fan 8-12" RIGHT NEXT to to open passive flap. It did wonders for me and make sure your thermometer is at the same height as you canopy. I reccomend hanging it directly in/above your canopy honestly. If it's up high, your getting a skewed reading
Click to expand...
Awesome pointers! I still have my computer fans, each rated for 90 cfm. So I'll see if pumping air in might help!
 
Last edited:
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
MadButcher said:
Awesome pointers! I still have my computer fans, each rated for 90 cfm. So I'll see if pumping air in might help!
Click to expand...
Ya, I'd say very first and foremost, though, is definitely making sure your thermometer is placed or hung in the proper location as I mentioned.
 
TacoMac

TacoMac

Well-Known Member
I think you're making a mistake I've seen so many people make before.

I'm willing to bet you're using a thermometer like this, aren't you?


If so, then you're fine. These things actually ABSORB and HOLD heat a great deal more than your plants will. If you really want to know what your temperature is, you have to hide that thing from the light in the same area or use a regular mercury based thermometer.

Remember: temperature readings are ALWAYS taken in the shade for just that reason: light alters the real temperature based on the material it's hitting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top