Shop cooling
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 72
Shop cooling
For some wonderful reason, summer has kind of avoided Texas until the last week and then we started getting into the 100+ degree range daily.
I was thinking about getting a portable cooler and wonder if any of you guys have any experience with them.
The most common one I see is a portable version of what we used to call swamp coolers. Evaporative coolers would require no venting of exhaust, but not sure how effective they would be in our part of the world.
The portable a/c units would be OK, but you do have to vent out the hot air and I don't know if I could afford the "correct" size for the garage I work out of, so I would likely go somewhat underpowered if I chose this path.
Or just hold off until September to get back to work on it.
I was thinking about getting a portable cooler and wonder if any of you guys have any experience with them.
The most common one I see is a portable version of what we used to call swamp coolers. Evaporative coolers would require no venting of exhaust, but not sure how effective they would be in our part of the world.
The portable a/c units would be OK, but you do have to vent out the hot air and I don't know if I could afford the "correct" size for the garage I work out of, so I would likely go somewhat underpowered if I chose this path.
Or just hold off until September to get back to work on it.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 72
When I leave work, we are at 104 or thereabouts and will remain at 100 plus until 7 or so leaving little time to work. Box fan worked OK up until our temps hit this level.
I can cut back on the effort for a while, but honestly enjoy working on the old truck and it is definitely more enjoyable when the sweat is not pouring off your body.
I can cut back on the effort for a while, but honestly enjoy working on the old truck and it is definitely more enjoyable when the sweat is not pouring off your body.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Depends on the humidity of your area on a particular day. Swamp coolers do cool the air. But add a lot more humidity. Kind of a trade off. The temp is low but the sweat status is still high. I don't know if a box fan on the other side of the shop from the swamp cooler would help or not. I can tell you those here in Phoenix that have both a swamp cooler and A/C in their house will start out summer with the swamp cooler. Once we get in to our "Monsoon" season the humidity rises. Then folks switch over to the A/C. The A/C sucks water out of the air like you read about. At that point the house feels the coolest of all year.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 8,678
Likes: 191
From: On the Edge of the Desert
Shop cooling
Originally Posted by Coastal68
Is a window unit out of the question? Seems the cheapest/easiest way to go.
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 72
All of the walls are brick so a little challenging. There is one window in the washer/dryer room which is part of the "garage" area. One could install it there and then "pipe" the cool area from that area into the work area with a fan.
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 14
From: Vale, NC
Of course it is up to you in the end but those electric bills are going to rise a good bit trying to cool a garage with a window unit. I think most of Texas east of Midland would be too humid for a swamp cooler to do much. If you have shade and air moving then I would just tough it out. But, I work in my driveway most of the time and from 2pm through sunset it is direct sun. It sucks but I can't get enough done from 7pm on when I really need to keep it running. The worst part is sweat in the eyes and fogging of safety glasses. Other than that, I just try to put it out of my mind and remember that they used to wear wool clothing all the time! Ugh.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,350
Likes: 7
From: Garland, Tx
Mjunk, I bought a 12'X12' camping popup (canopy) at Wally World, made a HUGE difference.
Hillcountry, cut out some sheetrock, brick with a 7" grinder, pop in a 1/4" (overkill) lintel, a lil bit of frame work, rock it in and poof, your done. welllll...... maybe not poof
Hillcountry, cut out some sheetrock, brick with a 7" grinder, pop in a 1/4" (overkill) lintel, a lil bit of frame work, rock it in and poof, your done. welllll...... maybe not poof
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
Being in Texas myself, I understand. I cannot justify cooling my 20x60 shop, so we have (7) round fans hanging upside down from the rafters all wired on to a light switch. This keeps the fans out of my floor space. But right now with it so hot I have 3 more fans on the ground I drag around to blow on the workspace I am occupying.
Get some fans, the swamp coolers in our humid state are not that great. Plus they are expensive.
Get some fans, the swamp coolers in our humid state are not that great. Plus they are expensive.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Nitroman
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
5
Jan 27, 2014 07:15 PM
Brian_B
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
44
Sep 3, 2008 12:26 AM