Evap cooler for summer cooling in AZ

[Mesozoic]

I've got a 3-car garage/shop in Tucson, AZ where the humidity generally ranges between 10-20% during the summer, but temperatures range between 75-110 degrees F. This summer, I've got a few mandatory projects to complete in the shop portion of the garage and I'm a bit worried about the heat. When I was younger I was more tolerant of heat exhaustion, but I'm simply getting older and can't handle it as well anymore.

The garage is fully insulated, including the walls, ceiling, garage doors, and windows. The furnace and water heater are also within the garage and they are gas appliances, however, so I've got ventilation ducts to the exterior. I often prefer to have at least one of the garage doors partially open while working as well, so was thinking that an evap/swamp cooler would be best. Who makes the most compact, efficient, and effective portable coolers?

 

[1949 caddyman]

Get one in stainless steel as the steel ones rust out quickly.

 

[Shop Specialties]

Check out Quietaire QC18DVS.

 

[cspcrx]

Im in phoenix and face the same issue. My issue, or concern, with the evaps is pumping moist air into my garage and causing rust. Which is typically not an issue we face. I had a three car and now have a four car with a portable ac unit that i got at homedepot. It worked ok in the 3 car but in the 4 car, which also has higher ceilings it really doesnt do anything. Now looking at a mini split system in the 24k btu level. A 12k portable might work for you or if you can get a 14k even better.

 

[Syberia]

I have this cooler from Home Depot. Granted, it's on the house and not the garage (wife says we don't need to spend money on cooling out there...) but it does a good job. It's made of a thick, but slightly bendable (so it won't break) plastic so there's zero worries about rust. It also sticks out a lot less than a traditional cooler and does not require any extra supports (the 4x4 on the bottom is simply so it would line up flush with the inside wall; if it was installed through a window you wouldn't need that).



As long as you allow ventilation, especially after you shut the cooler off to let the moist air escape, I wouldn't see the humidity being a problem. We leave 2-3 windows fully open on the opposite side of the house with the cooler on the high setting and it creates a nice breeze. Just about blows us away to stand right in front of it, though.

The above poster mentioned a portable air conditioner. For what it's worth, I tried two different models of those last summer in my home office, and ended up returning them both to the store. They didn't seem to do much of anything. Ended up buying a window a/c instead and even though it's a lower BTU rating, it cools the room much better. I wouldn't buy another portable.

 

[930dreamer]

I'd pick up a used swamp cooler on CL and try it out. Mine is on a furniture dolly that I roll in front of the shop entry door while in use. Add a garden hose connector and it's plug and play. If you decide this isn't the route for you, your trial cost is very low.

 

[Bogey won]

^Very intelligent thought process,but he lives in Amarillo Tx and you have to think about cooling before your brain melts,I truly applaud the process,my ac just quit,on the house,ants in the contacts,WTH?

Pushed a reset button(next day of course,after cursing like a sailor,hate that part) got her going,then WHAM the ac in the shop no work WTH? thermostat reading 32degrees, battery down,pulled it apart new battery same same,

now pulled bats let it sit overnite,if no cigar will replace tomorrow and see if the outside unit fires up,chaps my hiney Limey

wet the floor and rock on,just not the same as 14degree coolness out of a 14inch hole in the wall,5tons of freeze in 400sq ft. BOO HOO,i ll get her fixed,best to you and the journal, at large.

 

[Mesozoic]

What do you folks think about this unit, available from Home Depot: http://www.port-a-cool.com/paccyc2200.html

 

[54FordPanel]

I'm just wondering why you want a portable unit instead of just mounting one on the roof? I'd think with a 3 car, space is at a premium.

Does your garage have it's own roof, or is there living space above it?

Or get a window type model and cut in your own window.

I just think that portable unit would be in the way alot.

I love swamp coolers, that's what I cool my house with.

 

[Mesozoic]

Yeah, the garage is below our master bedroom patio and the master bedroom itself. So roof mounting not an option. Also, the garage is ventilated because of the gas appliances, so it wouldn't be very efficient to run A/C.

My friends run a transmission shop here in Tucson and they have a very high output swamp cooler than works really well... but it's true, the humidity is already starting to increase a little bit and the unit isn't nearly as effective at cooling. What I've noticed is that if the humidity is around 10% or less, the cooler is extremely effective. If the humidity gets to 15% or beyond, it's not working very well. We just had to turn the A/C on in the house, in fact (currently 105 degrees F outside).

 

[kaffine]

I have used a portable one before it was ok since I could position it to blow directly on me. However doing that tends to make it very humid in the shop since it is not pulling in fresh air. I normally try and position it near an open door and open a window or door on the other side of the shop for the exhaust. It was ok but it didn't move enough air to cool the shop. So I would basically work for a while then go stand directly in front of it for a few minutes to cool off and then get back to work.

The mounted ones will normally move a lot more air. I probably could have gotten a side draft one and either installed it or build a roller base for it for less than I paid for the portable one I got. I prefer the ones that use the 8in or 12 in thick pads used to be called mastercool not sure if they still are or not.

When it gets really hot they don't cool it down enough although if you are only going to be working for a little while you can dump some ice into the water tray and it will help but the ice doesn't last long.

 

[Bogey won]

5 tons of love 70 degrees in a 95 degree day,double wide ac heat self contained unit$1250 used turn key.

 

[Bogey won]

The porta cools have limited ability,mechanic shop i know has them and if your 6ft away forget it,and the noise of the fan,plus the fact of the wind hitting you tiring you out,better than nothing,but i think the cost is more than necessary.