Avalon 6 Derping at 30C ambiant? -> Evap Cooling

[VirosaGITS]

I'm moving there next Monday and before i start running test its going to be hard to say. Most likely if possible i will want a setup with the room closed and seal on its own circuit, hopefully with evap cooling, so that the noise coming out of it, with acoustic panels will be nil.

Make sure that where-ever you live, the humidity is low enough to make evap practical - otherwise it's just a waste of time.  Most evaps are really low noise, as the only two components are the water pump and the air handler, with AC the loudest noise is usually the compressor...

Well its near here. Humidity is anywhere from 10% to 100% here lol. So on humid day i'd need A/C.

What kind of job would this do on dry day?;
https://www.amazon.ca/NewAir-AF-1000W-Portable-Evaporative-Cooler/dp/B00KOHMSHW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461319060&sr=8-2&keywords=evaporative+cooler

[1714881240]

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[1714881240]

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[fanatic26]

point of interest  this controller has 4 jacks for 4 boards and 2 jack for fans
thus running four boards on one controller may work

As of now there is no coding in the software to make it work. You must use the two inner data ports as well as the inner fan port or the controller will not recognize anything. I think they were planning a larger multi S5 style unit controlling more boards but it never came to fruition.

[MarkAz]

Well its near here. Humidity is anywhere from 10% to 100% here lol. So on humid day i'd need A/C.

What kind of job would this do on dry day?;
https://www.amazon.ca/NewAir-AF-1000W-Portable-Evaporative-Cooler/dp/B00KOHMSHW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461319060&sr=8-2&keywords=evaporative+cooler

If you're even a bit handy, you can really easily build a cheap/decent evap to test things out - and it will probably work substancially better than the one you linked to.  Here's a youtube showing a decent build:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ubf0zqvSQ

or another popular one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHbQYajfGqM

There's very little to evap coolers, basically just a pump, fan, water reservoir and media.  You can probably build everything from the first video for under $100, and the second video for even less (but it won't work as well).

[VirosaGITS]

Well its near here. Humidity is anywhere from 10% to 100% here lol. So on humid day i'd need A/C.

What kind of job would this do on dry day?;
https://www.amazon.ca/NewAir-AF-1000W-Portable-Evaporative-Cooler/dp/B00KOHMSHW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1461319060&sr=8-2&keywords=evaporative+cooler

If you're even a bit handy, you can really easily build a cheap/decent evap to test things out - and it will probably work substancially better than the one you linked to.  Here's a youtube showing a decent build:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ubf0zqvSQ

or another popular one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHbQYajfGqM

There's very little to evap coolers, basically just a pump, fan, water reservoir and media.  You can probably build everything from the first video for under $100, and the second video for even less (but it won't work as well).

That's uhm, REALLY cool. No pun intended. I could probably build some of these at some point. The problem i have right now is sourcing box fans like these that don't vibrate and make annoying noise.

In Canada i can only find the one i want at like 60-80$ (nuts).

Anyways i may find the time to do this during summer. Though for now i need something quick i can buy that will help with the cramped space in my "server room".

So any suggestions for something good (and maybe quiet) that will do the trick online and get here fast would be good.

[MarkAz]

That's uhm, REALLY cool. No pun intended. I could probably build some of these at some point. The problem i have right now is sourcing box fans like these that don't vibrate and make annoying noise.

In Canada i can only find the one i want at like 60-80$ (nuts).

Anyways i may find the time to do this during summer. Though for now i need something quick i can buy that will help with the cramped space in my "server room".

So any suggestions for something good (and maybe quiet) that will do the trick online and get here fast would be good.

Ah, looking over at Amazon.ca, I see what you mean - they all have brutal shipping charges, that sucks.  The one thing to keep in mind is that I imagine when you run a box fan off something like the first video, you'll probably be running it at it's lowest speed, so vibration and noise really shouldn't be that big an issue.  You can also just design around whatever fan you CAN get easily and cheaply, that's one of the advantages of rolling your own.  TBH, the quality you're going to get building your own is going to probably be much higher than if you buy one of those consumer-ish things - most of those work like crap and aren't even worth the money. 

You might also check Craigslist - I can't speak for where you're at, but where I am there's probably well over 50+ box fans for sale on there right now, most asking ~$10.   There's also a ton of evaps as well, but they probably aren't as common where you're at.

[VirosaGITS]

That's uhm, REALLY cool. No pun intended. I could probably build some of these at some point. The problem i have right now is sourcing box fans like these that don't vibrate and make annoying noise.

In Canada i can only find the one i want at like 60-80$ (nuts).

Anyways i may find the time to do this during summer. Though for now i need something quick i can buy that will help with the cramped space in my "server room".

So any suggestions for something good (and maybe quiet) that will do the trick online and get here fast would be good.

Ah, looking over at Amazon.ca, I see what you mean - they all have brutal shipping charges, that sucks.  The one thing to keep in mind is that I imagine when you run a box fan off something like the first video, you'll probably be running it at it's lowest speed, so vibration and noise really shouldn't be that big an issue.  You can also just design around whatever fan you CAN get easily and cheaply, that's one of the advantages of rolling your own.  TBH, the quality you're going to get building your own is going to probably be much higher than if you buy one of those consumer-ish things - most of those work like crap and aren't even worth the money.  

You might also check Craigslist - I can't speak for where you're at, but where I am there's probably well over 50+ box fans for sale on there right now, most asking ~$10.   There's also a ton of evaps as well, but they probably aren't as common where you're at.

I didnt have much luck, so i might take my chance with whatever Home Depot or Canadian Tire has.

I'm interested in making the home made Evap cooler, any place Online i might be able to get what i need for cheap, shipped to Canada? I'd guess i'd need the tubing, the pump and the foam thing that will be soaked in water.

I can get the wood, nails, fan etc easily i think. Though i'm not sure what to buy/use for the basin.

[philipma1957]

That's uhm, REALLY cool. No pun intended. I could probably build some of these at some point. The problem i have right now is sourcing box fans like these that don't vibrate and make annoying noise.

In Canada i can only find the one i want at like 60-80$ (nuts).

Anyways i may find the time to do this during summer. Though for now i need something quick i can buy that will help with the cramped space in my "server room".

So any suggestions for something good (and maybe quiet) that will do the trick online and get here fast would be good.

Ah, looking over at Amazon.ca, I see what you mean - they all have brutal shipping charges, that sucks.  The one thing to keep in mind is that I imagine when you run a box fan off something like the first video, you'll probably be running it at it's lowest speed, so vibration and noise really shouldn't be that big an issue.  You can also just design around whatever fan you CAN get easily and cheaply, that's one of the advantages of rolling your own.  TBH, the quality you're going to get building your own is going to probably be much higher than if you buy one of those consumer-ish things - most of those work like crap and aren't even worth the money.  

You might also check Craigslist - I can't speak for where you're at, but where I am there's probably well over 50+ box fans for sale on there right now, most asking ~$10.   There's also a ton of evaps as well, but they probably aren't as common where you're at.

I didnt have much luck, so i might take my chance with whatever Home Depot or Canadian Tire has.

I'm interested in making the home made Evap cooler, any place Online i might be able to get what i need for cheap, shipped to Canada? I'd guess i'd need the tubing, the pump and the foam thing that will be soaked in water.

I can get the wood, nails, fan etc easily i think. Though i'm not sure what to buy/use for the basin.

how about a cement mixing tub?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Medium-Mixing-Tub-887101A/202086173


I don't know what store you can find it in Canada  ,but these are sturdy and low cost.

[VirosaGITS]

That's uhm, REALLY cool. No pun intended. I could probably build some of these at some point. The problem i have right now is sourcing box fans like these that don't vibrate and make annoying noise.

In Canada i can only find the one i want at like 60-80$ (nuts).

Anyways i may find the time to do this during summer. Though for now i need something quick i can buy that will help with the cramped space in my "server room".

So any suggestions for something good (and maybe quiet) that will do the trick online and get here fast would be good.

Ah, looking over at Amazon.ca, I see what you mean - they all have brutal shipping charges, that sucks.  The one thing to keep in mind is that I imagine when you run a box fan off something like the first video, you'll probably be running it at it's lowest speed, so vibration and noise really shouldn't be that big an issue.  You can also just design around whatever fan you CAN get easily and cheaply, that's one of the advantages of rolling your own.  TBH, the quality you're going to get building your own is going to probably be much higher than if you buy one of those consumer-ish things - most of those work like crap and aren't even worth the money.  

You might also check Craigslist - I can't speak for where you're at, but where I am there's probably well over 50+ box fans for sale on there right now, most asking ~$10.   There's also a ton of evaps as well, but they probably aren't as common where you're at.

I didnt have much luck, so i might take my chance with whatever Home Depot or Canadian Tire has.

I'm interested in making the home made Evap cooler, any place Online i might be able to get what i need for cheap, shipped to Canada? I'd guess i'd need the tubing, the pump and the foam thing that will be soaked in water.

I can get the wood, nails, fan etc easily i think. Though i'm not sure what to buy/use for the basin.

how about a cement mixing tub?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Medium-Mixing-Tub-887101A/202086173


I don't know what store you can find it in Canada  ,but these are sturdy and low cost.

Thats a pretty good hint, thanks.

I been busy with relocating the mine. But if someone know where/what to order online for the pump, tube and foam, i'd like to hear it. I bought the 2x4 wood while i was at Home Depot the other day and i got some box fans that don't vibrate like an old dildo.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

For pumps and tubing check out any local hydroponics store or HomeDepot in the garden section (for fountains). Don't need a lot of flow since yer only keeping the foam wet so I think a very small pump like  http://littlegiant.com/products/hvac/evaporative-cooler-pumps-cp-series/ which can run dry or submersible ones like http://www.lg-outdoor.com/c/hydroponic-circulation-pumps which CANNOT run dry should do nicely. btw: prices on those sites are way over what I usually see the pumps selling for.

[adaseb]

VirosaGITS, check your mining with oven thread in the other section.

[VirosaGITS]

For pumps and tubing check out any local hydroponics store or HomeDepot in the garden section (for fountains). Don't need a lot of flow since yer only keeping the foam wet so I think a very small pump like  http://littlegiant.com/products/hvac/evaporative-cooler-pumps-cp-series/ which can run dry or submersible ones like http://www.lg-outdoor.com/c/hydroponic-circulation-pumps which CANNOT run dry should do nicely. btw: prices on those sites are way over what I usually see the pumps selling for.

Thanks, what about picking the right foam? I'm guessing some kind would get moldy after a while? Or is that unavoidable?

VirosaGITS, check your mining with oven thread in the other section.

Yes, but it involve a new circuit and lots of A/C. However i haven't been able to get myself an Oven yet so using both at the same time is a bit moot at the moment.

[MarkAz]

Thanks, what about picking the right foam? I'm guessing some kind would get moldy after a while? Or is that unavoidable?

Are you talking the structural foam I was talking about for making the plenum/channels for air?  If so, it's just the big foam insulation sheets from Home Depot...

As far as getting moldy, if you're running the evap at the right flow level, it shouldn't increase the humidity that much - you typically only have that issue if you're running too much water over the media and it's splashing everywhere, etc.  There's generally also not that much benefit over running more water - the key is to moisten the media enough so there is a thin sheen of water on it - the trick is it's the hot air moving over the thin layer of water, causing it to evaporate that makes the temperature drop.  Otherwise you could just fill a bucket with water and blow air over it to get the same effect.    In a perfect world, the less water that comes out the bottom, the better, but you still want the media at the bottom to be fully saturated.

One more thing worth noting, typically you'll want to start the pump and 'prime' the media with water for probably 30 mins or so before starting the fan, so it has a chance to fully saturate.

[VirosaGITS]

Thanks, what about picking the right foam? I'm guessing some kind would get moldy after a while? Or is that unavoidable?

Are you talking the structural foam I was talking about for making the plenum/channels for air?  If so, it's just the big foam insulation sheets from Home Depot...

As far as getting moldy, if you're running the evap at the right flow level, it shouldn't increase the humidity that much - you typically only have that issue if you're running too much water over the media and it's splashing everywhere, etc.  There's generally also not that much benefit over running more water - the key is to moisten the media enough so there is a thin sheen of water on it - the trick is it's the hot air moving over the thin layer of water, causing it to evaporate that makes the temperature drop.  Otherwise you could just fill a bucket with water and blow air over it to get the same effect.    In a perfect world, the less water that comes out the bottom, the better, but you still want the media at the bottom to be fully saturated.

One more thing worth noting, typically you'll want to start the pump and 'prime' the media with water for probably 30 mins or so before starting the fan, so it has a chance to fully saturate.

I might need to re-read everything. There's a foam that absorb water, about 20x20inch of it, to blow the air through. If you come by a link, that would simplify the matter.

[MarkAz]

I might need to re-read everything. There's a foam that absorb water, about 20x20inch of it, to blow the air through. If you come by a link, that would simplify the matter.

Are you talking about the evap media?  Like this:

http://amzn.to/1NZUGDE

This is what you should be passing the water over, not foam...

[VirosaGITS]

I might need to re-read everything. There's a foam that absorb water, about 20x20inch of it, to blow the air through. If you come by a link, that would simplify the matter.

Are you talking about the evap media?  Like this:

http://amzn.to/1NZUGDE

This is what you should be passing the water over, not foam...

It look liked interwined strips of foamy material to me, and maybe my memory is playing trick on me but i thought thats what the guy in the video called it.

I'll have a look at all the sizes and things i will need in a bit, i'll probably have the time again to do... well... anything, starting from next Monday.

[MarkAz]

It look liked interwined strips of foamy material to me, and maybe my memory is playing trick on me but i thought thats what the guy in the video called it.

I'll have a look at all the sizes and things i will need in a bit, i'll probably have the time again to do... well... anything, starting from next Monday.

Most of the commercial evap media is made of a cardboard-like material, you'll also sometimes find it made out of wood, but in general I think that's more for consumer machines.  Never saw any made out of foam, but have seen some made out of a kind of mesh plastic - but since all the commercial units I've seen use cardboard, that's my choice -   spend a couple bucks more and just get commercial-grade evap media, it's all pretty cheap anyway (plus check eBay or Zoro).  The other variable is how thick the media is - the thicker, the better - the more cooling it will provide.  I typically use 4" (plus it's perfect when building stuff with 2x4's) media whenever possible, although my direct-indirect unit uses 4x 8" thick media, and it really does a great job.

[VirosaGITS]

It look liked interwined strips of foamy material to me, and maybe my memory is playing trick on me but i thought thats what the guy in the video called it.

I'll have a look at all the sizes and things i will need in a bit, i'll probably have the time again to do... well... anything, starting from next Monday.

Most of the commercial evap media is made of a cardboard-like material, you'll also sometimes find it made out of wood, but in general I think that's more for consumer machines.  Never saw any made out of foam, but have seen some made out of a kind of mesh plastic - but since all the commercial units I've seen use cardboard, that's my choice -   spend a couple bucks more and just get commercial-grade evap media, it's all pretty cheap anyway (plus check eBay or Zoro).  The other variable is how thick the media is - the thicker, the better - the more cooling it will provide.  I typically use 4" (plus it's perfect when building stuff with 2x4's) media whenever possible, although my direct-indirect unit uses 4x 8" thick media, and it really does a great job.

So do you like, cut 4 square of 4x5" to fill the 20x20x4 area of the 2x4 in a box build? Also if you ever posted about the project with pictures on this forum, do you have a link? That could be pretty cool.

[MarkAz]

So do you like, cut 4 square of 4x5" to fill the 20x20x4 area of the 2x4 in a box build?

Normally I built my things more on even numbers, so I would typically have it be 24x24x4, but the principle is still the same - take something like this:

https://www.zoro.com/portacool-evaporative-cooling-media-12x4x72-in-pad4072ec/i/G8632662/

And just trim it to fit - so in my example it would be two strips 12x24x4, and you'd still have some left over.

Also if you ever posted about the project with pictures on this forum, do you have a link? That could be pretty cool.

TBH, I never saw the reason to take any pictures on the evap stuff, as it's all pretty straight forward and I wasn't really innovating/adding much to it, just doing what others had done.  I did post quite a few pictures of my case mods and a couple of the plenum enclosures I built - but I didn't spend that much time on the evap side, so they didn't look nearly as cool.  Here's some of the things I did:










As you can see, I tend to use acrylic often because I have a laser cutter and can make precision parts with it.

The only thing I have setup now is the direct-indirect system, which is similar to this:

http://www.coolerado.com/how-coolerado-works/

But it's a commercial solution (not the Coolerado, but not manufactured anymore).  I was planning on looking into trying to build an direct-indirect system like these, but just haven't had time.  They work MUCH better than traditional evaps, but they're also more complicated - but not as complicated as an AC.

[VirosaGITS]

Thats great, and yeah if i was in a dry environment and i had a house i'd prolly get a big indirect evap cooler, because it doesnt add humidity to the air. Anyways not the one dumped at the target.

I'll have a look later at Zoro, it seem down atm.