Convert Window AC to Portable AC?

doniboy

doniboy

Well-Known Member
You all think it would be safe to encase the back of a window AC unit in a cardboard box, cut a hole in the box, and then duck the heat out of the room?
 
bimple

bimple

Active Member
The only way that this would work is if you buy an outdoor cabinet, condenser fan motor ,relocate the condenser coil and compressor and its components, pad, whip, contactor, electrical box, the copper line set, a new interior cabinet to put the remaining parts in , a transformer, stat wire, and lots of fabrication with sheet metal and mounts. All of that would be a waste of time when you can buy a portable unit for not that much
 
doniboy

doniboy

Well-Known Member
bimple said:
The only way that this would work is if you buy an outdoor cabinet, condenser fan motor ,relocate the condenser coil and compressor and its components, pad, whip, contactor, electrical box, the copper line set, a new interior cabinet to put the remaining parts in , a transformer, stat wire, and lots of fabrication with sheet metal and mounts. All of that would be a waste of time when you can buy a portable unit for not that much
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Why would I have to go through all of that... All I need is a way to duct the heat that's being expelled out of the back of the AC unit into another room...
 
bimple

bimple

Active Member
Your efficiency will be crap. Not only does the unit blow out the window, it sucks air IN the window. So, you would have to have airflow going in both directions, NOT MIXING within that passage. If the unit will not fit in the window then the window would not allow for enough airflow. The proper method, although likely even more expensive that already suggested, is a package unit outside the structure with ducts to the inside. But you still have the same problem. The window would likely be large enough for the cooling duct, but it would not accomodate the return. Putting the unit outside and running separate ducts in through the window would be a much better idea.
 
chuck estevez

chuck estevez

Well-Known Member
Actually, i think you could make it work, you would need to ensure the air in isn't blocked and would probably need an inline fan to pump the heat out. Just know that smell will be pumped out with it.
 
doniboy

doniboy

Well-Known Member
bimple said:
Not only does the unit blow out the window, it sucks air IN the window. So, you would have to have airflow going in both directions, NOT MIXING within that passage. If the unit will not fit in the window then the window would not allow for enough airflow. The proper method, although likely even more expensive that already suggested, is a package unit outside the structure with ducts to the inside. But you still have the same problem. The window would likely be large enough for the cooling duct, but it would not accomodate the return. Putting the unit outside and running separate ducts in through the window would be a much better idea.

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You're complicating something simple lol.. I just found something on youtube.... It's already being done by others. [video=youtube;JI3rviFUK-k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI3rviFUK-k[/video]
 
doniboy

doniboy

Well-Known Member
chuck estevez said:
Actually, i think you could make it work, you would need to ensure the air in isn't blocked and would probably need an inline fan to pump the heat out. Just know that smell will be pumped out with it.
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Good idea.. I might get a cheap duct booster fan.
 
chuck estevez

chuck estevez

Well-Known Member
doniboy said:
You're complicating something simple lol.. I just found something on youtube.... It's already being done by others. [video=youtube;JI3rviFUK-k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI3rviFUK-k[/video]
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avoid any hard bends, keep duct straight as possible, use a low speed fan to help move heat thru duct.
 
B166ER420

B166ER420

Well-Known Member
Been thinking about doing something like this myself.......seeing as I already have use of 3 5000btu units but not a $300 portable one:cool:GL.peace
 
doniboy

doniboy

Well-Known Member
B166ER420 said:
Been thinking about doing something like this myself.......seeing as I already have use of 3 5000btu units but not a $300 portable one:cool:GL.peace
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Yea my Homeowners Association made me take mine out of the window... Suck.. Soon as I did the temp in my room went up 20 degrees in minutes. I had to turn my lights off.
 
B166ER420

B166ER420

Well-Known Member
doniboy said:
Yea my Homeowners Association made me take mine out of the window... Suck.. Soon as I did the temp in my room went up 20 degrees in minutes. I had to turn my lights off.
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Ouch!....our HOA says window units are ghetto too!.....lol.....do you use the room itself or a tent or closet?
 
B166ER420

B166ER420

Well-Known Member
I was thinking about using the nearest a/c duct(bathroom)for my closet,I would just extend it through the attic and down from the ceiling into my closet:cool:.If heat isn't an issue in the veg tent maybe you could do something similar with the flowering tent.
 
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