Temporary humidity spike from ac

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paperboy85

Active Member
Hello guys.

my ac runs in cycles of 10mins on and 2mins off. When its on my humidity is low 50s, but when it’s off, it jumps well into the 80s.

would that be bad for my bud? If it is, what are my options?
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
During warm weather I just let the AC & exhaust run 24/7 in the tent room. The lights keep it plenty warm inside still. Humidity/heat has never been an issue this way for me. In cold weather, I use the AC less, and use a dehumidifier to get the air in check.
Sure running it constantly adds to the light bill, but it’s not as costly as catching mold mid-late flower, and having to trash the whole tent.
 
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joesoap2013

Well-Known Member
I'm lucky able to put a hole in the ceiling to vent
I actually moved my extractor fan out of the tent on to the end of a duct
It's lethal man had to put a bigger fan in cause of the efficiency drops but its way quieter
 
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paperboy85

Active Member
HydroKid239 said:
During warm weather I just let the AC & exhaust run 24/7 in the tent room. The lights keep it plenty warm inside still. Humidity/heat has never been an issue this way for me. In cold weather, I use the AC less, and use a dehumidifier to get the air in check.
Sure running it constantly adds to the light bill, but it’s not as costly as catching mold mid-late flower, and having to trash the whole tent.
Click to expand...
My tent is outside, in a shaded part of the balcony. So ac and dehumidifier are all inside my tent.

outside is temp is 37c and 70% humidity
 
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paperboy85

Active Member
For reference. Here is a picture of my set up. Front right is the dehumidifier. Back right is the portable ac. Exhaust fan 4” not in the picture

I have 1 more clip on oscillating fan coming. I’m going to place it above the dehumidifier and blow dehumidified air towards the plant are
 

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weedstoner420

weedstoner420

Well-Known Member
paperboy85 said:
My tent is outside, in a shaded part of the balcony. So ac and dehumidifier are all inside my tent.

outside is temp is 37c and 70% humidity
Click to expand...
Dehumidifiers are only really effective when they're working on a somewhat fixed volume of air (like in a room or one floor of your house).

If your tent is outside, you're basically trying to dehumidify the entire outside world...

Is it not possible to move that setup inside? It seems far from ideal, and like 75% of the space is just taken up by equipment...

And to answer your original question, yes it would be bad. Rapid swings in temperature and humidity can cause water vapor to condense inside the buds, which creates the perfect environment for mold to germinate. I'd try to move that setup inside, and put the dehumidifier in the room outside the tent if you still need it.
 
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RockStonedJesus

Active Member
Sounds like you might just have to keep the AC running on a low setting? Depends how much you value your babies, in the end.

Very tricky situation, as if you recirculate the air back into the tent (to allow the dehumidifier to work more effectively), that'll keep your RH down, though you will end up with hotter temps inside the tent.

It also depends on what strain you're running - a strain that's mold resistant and high-temperature friendly will be your best bet, also.

Not much we can really recommend other than to implement small changes, or, move it indoors if possible.
 
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paperboy85

Active Member
weedstoner420 said:
Dehumidifiers are only really effective when they're working on a somewhat fixed volume of air (like in a room or one floor of your house).

If your tent is outside, you're basically trying to dehumidify the entire outside world...

Is it not possible to move that setup inside? It seems far from ideal, and like 75% of the space is just taken up by equipment...

And to answer your original question, yes it would be bad. Rapid swings in temperature and humidity can cause water vapor to condense inside the buds, which creates the perfect environment for mold to germinate. I'd try to move that setup inside, and put the dehumidifier in the room outside the tent if you still need it.
Click to expand...
Not possible to put inside. Would buying another tent to serve as a lung room help? Basically i would put the smaller tent inside the larger tent?
 
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paperboy85

Active Member
RockStonedJesus said:
Sounds like you might just have to keep the AC running on a low setting? Depends how much you value your babies, in the end.

Very tricky situation, as if you recirculate the air back into the tent (to allow the dehumidifier to work more effectively), that'll keep your RH down, though you will end up with hotter temps inside the tent.

It also depends on what strain you're running - a strain that's mold resistant and high-temperature friendly will be your best bet, also.

Not much we can really recommend other than to implement small changes, or, move it indoors if possible.
Click to expand...
For flowering, if i can’t control the humidity down, do i set up for higher temps to chase vpd?

I tinkered with the set up a bit last night. If i set the dehumidifier to max. The ac will not stop due to the higher heat produced. I was able to get steady 56-59% rh with 21c temp. Hopefully that is good enough to get me some decent weed
 
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paperboy85

Active Member
Roguedawg said:
Unless you are in a dry climate the way you are set up is not going to work. Basically if you cant control the environment around the tent you might as well just grow outside in the sun.
Click to expand...
How about putting my existing tent inside a larger tent then control the larger tent’s environment then vent to the smaller tent inside?
 
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paperboy85

Active Member
weedstoner420 said:
Dehumidifiers are only really effective when they're working on a somewhat fixed volume of air (like in a room or one floor of your house).

If your tent is outside, you're basically trying to dehumidify the entire outside world...

Is it not possible to move that setup inside? It seems far from ideal, and like 75% of the space is just taken up by equipment...

And to answer your original question, yes it would be bad. Rapid swings in temperature and humidity can cause water vapor to condense inside the buds, which creates the perfect environment for mold to germinate. I'd try to move that setup inside, and put the dehumidifier in the room outside the tent if you still need it.
Click to expand...
Got a 2x4. Half of it is equipment. So i still have a 2x2 grow space.

What if i place the current 2x4 tent into a larger 5x5 tent and control the 5x5s environment, would that work?
 
HydroKid239

HydroKid239

Well-Known Member
paperboy85 said:
My tent is outside, in a shaded part of the balcony. So ac and dehumidifier are all inside my tent.

outside is temp is 37c and 70% humidity
Click to expand...
Why not run the AC in the room closest to the tent outside? You can use ductin the run a cool air intake into your tent. The air coming in will/shouldn’t be humid.. which should rid your need to have the dehumidifier inside the tent as well. More room for your plants. Maybe lay a white sheet over the tent outside so the walls of the tent aren’t generating heat. If you can cast a shadow into the area where the tent is.. that should help keep it from getting so hot in the tent. Adjust intake power & exhaust power to dial it all in with your light.
It may sound like a lot, but it’s all worth it with a successful grow.
Drying will need better accommodations. Be aware.
 
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