Fan Air Conditioner
Project
Summer is coming and it is already hot. It was super hot
for the past week, and like most people who don't like heat, I couldn't take it
anymore. I actually tried this project first on a small desk fan a month ago and
it worked except it is a small desk fan so it does not keep the room cooled. I
finally gave in and started using the AC but it's expensive to be using AC only
in May so I wanted to use a fan. I had my boyfriend order in a pump and it came
in yesterday (Yay!). So, we quickly tried it on our small fan and wow it worked
like we wanted it to. We did not actually look up in using a pump as a close
loop system as there are many tutorials online about it. I found out after the
fact when we wished our pump was stronger (Oops). We also didn't own a fan
other than a desk fan until yesterday too. Finally went out and brought one,
couldn't be happier.
I am not sure how many apartment places are like this but
there is only one AC and it is in the living room, not the bed room. This is
the second apartment I had that is made this way and I get jealous every time I
visit a friend with AC in both living room and bed room that came with the
apartment. I wasn't sure if I could even fit a AC in my bedroom window, it is
wide enough but it can't be opened up very far. Also I live on the 3rd floor,
so heat was always an issue even in the winter.
So, onto the cooling project...
Materials
2x hose clamps
1/4" Outer Diameter (OD) copper tubing
3/8" OD vinyl tubing
Zip ties
Bucket/container for water
210 GPH fountain pump
Fan
Tools
Flathead screwdriver
Sand paper
Hacksaw
Long nose pliers (If necessary)
So, making it really easy. Make sure everything is
unplugged first.
1. Start with copper tubing and using a zip tip to secure
the start to the face of the fan (I started on the outer side).
2. Bend the copper tubing along the face of the fan and
use a zip tie every so often to secure it (I had to use a long nose pliers to
reach the zip ties.
3. Once you get to the end of where you want to end it, use
a hacksaw or whatever saw you wish and saw off the end (If needed).
4. Sand the end down.
5. Insert the vinyl tubing over the copper tubing. Use a
hose clamp to secure it.
6. Cut the vinyl tubing to the length you need.
7. Fill bucket with cold water.
8. Attach pump to one of the ends of the vinyl tubing, I
used the outer ring.
9. Place pump into bucket, make sure nothing blocks the
entrance to where the water is sucked in.
10. Plug pump and fan in. Turn on fan, and watch it go.
 |
| With this pump, the water comes trickling out of the tube. |
 |
| Finished fan |
 |
| Full Completed System |
Results
The way we thought the system would work is the water
will be sucked up on the side and spit out on top through the vinyl tubing by
the pump. The vinyl tubing is connected to the copper tubing that coils around
the face of the fan and when it reaches the end, it falls out the end through a
vinyl tubing. We used cold water, and that works for about half an hour to an
hour. Then it just becomes room temperature water. There are three speeds with
this fan and the lowest speed works the best with this set up. The fastest
speed blows out normal air instead of cool air since it blows too fast.
After making this, I was already trying to improve it so
I turned to the internet and found others have done what I have done but
better. So once I get more materials, I will improve upon this system. I need
more hose clamps, a cooler(which I'll need for camping soon anyways), and some
ice packs. I plan to add copper tubing to the back side of the fan. I may add
some to the exit tubing but I'm not sure what the effects are. With a cooler
and ice packs, I can keep the water cooler for a longer period of time.
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