Question about portable air conditioners and exhaust tube lengths

[kingozrecords]

Looking at some nice options for portable air conditioners, I want one beside my pc; because it gets rid of the hot air really quickly. How long can the exhaust pipe be, while still being effective? I figured a few small studios might now; so am asking here.

[donkey tugger]

I've got a small portable one and was going to buy a longer exhaust tube, but when I read up on it the consensus seemed to be that anything over about 2m would let too much heat from the pipe dissipate back into the room, and cause the unit to have to work harder, e.g https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-t ... ioner-hose

Obviously I'm no expert....

[kingozrecords]

Obviously I'm no expert....

Same, lol

I've got a small portable one and was going to buy a longer exhaust tube, but when I read up on it the consensus seemed to be that anything over about 2m would let too much heat from the pipe dissipate back into the room, and cause the unit to have to work harder, e.g https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-t ... ioner-hose

2 Meters, I may be able to work with that; moving into a new place with a window close by.

[Frantz]

I had to use a portable A/C for a while while my central A/C was broken. It was quite noisy. I don't think it would be ideal to put in the studio unless you have no other options.

[kingozrecords]

I had to use a portable A/C for a while while my central A/C was broken. It was quite noisy. I don't think it would be ideal to put in the studio unless you have no other options.

Yes, only for when I'm mixing. Otherwise I would have a de-humidifier beside the pc; and an evaporative air cooler. They are very cool, but high maintenance; always exchanging water reservoirs. Hard to sing or perform in a hot room.

[kingozrecords]

I've got a small portable one and was going to buy a longer exhaust tube, but when I read up on it the consensus seemed to be that anything over about 2m would let too much heat from the pipe dissipate back into the room, and cause the unit to have to work harder, e.g https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-t ... ioner-hose

Obviously I'm no expert....

fan-exhaust-booster.jpg

something like this might help, you could conceivably have a longer exhaust using it.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01MYXGSQG/

As per the volume; the lowest portable air conditioner volume level on average I have seen is 42 dba

[donkey tugger]

Looks good, but since here I probably have it on about 3 weeks a year (the British 'summer') I'll be ok for now how I've got it positioned etc.

[kingozrecords]

Looks good, but since here I probably have it on about 3 weeks a year (the British 'summer') I'll be ok for now how I've got it positioned etc.

Am jealous

temps-pc.jpg

Seems like my pc processor (15) and gpu (33) are really cool; but it's like a foundry furnace exhaust all year. It makes me feel like I'm in a rain forest, lol. It's a dog cooker, lmao.

If anybody's curious about how I got my processor that cool, is by using an older snowman 6 pipe cooler and two 1650 rpm cooling fans both blowing air into the aluminum cooling fins. Apparently the PS120SE is even better, but I question whether or not it would work as well without conflicting air currents blowing on the radiator from opposing sides
(see unique radiator design I made below).

dspplug 15mm 120mm fan dual 6 heatpipe radiator.jpg

[psd download] www.photopea.com/#icPH3cSVE.psd

EDIT: Thought about it, and a phantom spirit 120SE could be converted, all it needs is 35mm clearance between the two rads. With just a little manipulation, could work. But will it crack the nickel plating on the heatpipes, or not; the question. Guess I could spray with an acrylic paint that can be scrubbed off to find out.

[Frantz]

I had to use a portable A/C for a while while my central A/C was broken. It was quite noisy. I don't think it would be ideal to put in the studio unless you have no other options.

Yes, only for when I'm mixing. Otherwise I would have a de-humidifier beside the pc; and an evaporative air cooler. They are very cool, but high maintenance; always exchanging water reservoirs. Hard to sing or perform in a hot room.

For the same money as a portable A/C, you can get a window unit which puts more of the noise outside the house. With a portable, all of the noise is in the room with you plus some hot air from the exhaust leaks into the room. Finally you need to empty the water reservoir on a portable. I think portables are only a temporary/last resort solution.

[2DaT]

They are not very efficient, especially single hose models. Because of their way of working they will be constantly sucking the hot air from the outside and it will be especially troublesome if your window seal isn't tight.

Also they are very loud. Like uncomfortably loud. Imagine turning on your kitchen exhaust and a refrigerator at the same time, that's what it sounds like.

If you get uncomfortable temperatures more than 3 weeks a year, I'd avoid portable ac. They burn electricity. If it's hot outside it will consume 500W-750W and it will be working non-stop just to maintain a bearable temperature.

And please, do not use an evaporator and a dehumidifier in the same room. These counteract each other and generate unnecessary heat.

Just a simple fan can work wonders sometimes, especially if the heat is concentrating around your computer.

That, and obviously don't overclock, don't turn off energy savers and don't use outdated CPUs. They are not only slower, but generate more heat for the same amount of work.

[2DaT]

Finally you need to empty the water reservoir on a portable.

No, you don't need to if it's working properly. They just exhaust the moisture alongside with hot air. Ones that can't do that aren't worth using.

Agree on everything else though, they are a temporary measure at best. If you have to use an AC for for than a few weeks a year, you shouldn't buy them. Good window unit or a split will pay for itself in a few years compared to inefficient portable ACs.

[kingozrecords]

I had to use a portable A/C for a while while my central A/C was broken. It was quite noisy. I don't think it would be ideal to put in the studio unless you have no other options.

Yes, only for when I'm mixing. Otherwise I would have a de-humidifier beside the pc; and an evaporative air cooler. They are very cool, but high maintenance; always exchanging water reservoirs. Hard to sing or perform in a hot room.

For the same money as a portable A/C, you can get a window unit which puts more of the noise outside the house. With a portable, all of the noise is in the room with you plus some hot air from the exhaust leaks into the room. Finally you need to empty the water reservoir on a portable. I think portables are only a temporary/last resort solution.

The hydro is paid for / included.
I'm planning on having both; a mini portable while gaming / heavy computing.

Also they are very loud. Like uncomfortably loud. Imagine turning on your kitchen exhaust and a refrigerator at the same time, that's what it sounds like.

Yes, going to keep looking till I find a portable with a dba of 35 or just slightly higher. There will be a windows unit also.

[2DaT]

Yes, going to keep looking till I find a portable with a dba of 35 or just slightly higher. There will be a windows unit also.

Well if you can get a window unit, get a window unit and call it a day. No need for ugly exhaust tubes, no need for dehumidifiers/evaporators that take up the space.

[Frantz]

Finally you need to empty the water reservoir on a portable.

No, you don't need to if it's working properly. They just exhaust the moisture alongside with hot air. Ones that can't do that aren't worth using.

Agree on everything else though, they are a temporary measure at best. If you have to use an AC for for than a few weeks a year, you shouldn't buy them. Good window unit or a split will pay for itself in a few years compared to inefficient portable ACs.

It was a temporary measure since my central A/C repair was delayed. I bought the portable A/C they had in stock at Home Depot. It was noisy with one exhaust hose and a water reservoir. Thankfully, it is no longer in use -- stored away in case there is another emergency.

[Frantz]

Well if you can get a window unit, get a window unit and call it a day. No need for ugly exhaust tubes, no need for dehumidifiers/evaporators that take up the space.

Agreed.