Ideas on garage venting with home automation

[vortex5150]

I'm lookin at puttin a air intake & exhaust fan with motorized louvers. I'd be using an elk panel for control. Plus have some temperature probe in garage.
This way:

1. 1. Temperature hot--> Open exhaust louver and turn on fan and just open intake louver but leave intake fan off.
   
   2. Temperature hot--> Turn on both fans and open both louvers.
   
   3. Way hot over hundred degrees (central Texas) turn on AC wall unit.
   
   

This way I have basically a control for each component 2 fans and 2 louvers plus AC. Since I don't live in the garage I'd have to go one summer and record and monitor temperatures to program it the way that I want.

Going to be installing some electronic equipment and already have a upright freezer in there just want to be able to control the climate in extreme heat and occasional really cold weather.

Is there somethin easier to use than elk products?

Just lookin for other ideas or a tweak on my idea.

Tryin to do this thru home automation software since I already have a pc (dvr capture card) running 24/7---> since sep 08.

 

[mmhouse]

Just thinking out loud but it sounds overcomplicated to me.

First, if the exhaust fan is on the air has to come in so why have a second intake fan? Just turn up the speed on the exhaust fan if you need more airflow.

Second, why not use a louvered barometric damper so it would open on its own? There's really no need to motorize it. Just turn on the exhaust fan and the louvers open as much as necessary to provide the required air. Vary the speed of the exhaust fan and everything is taken care of.

I believe the simplest solution is usually the best, not to mention the cheapest.

 

[vortex5150]

yeah your idea was my first thought. I've gotta do the siding on the whole house so when I tear down the garage wall side exterior I just want to mess with the fan stuff once cause of the finish outside and in.
Was lookin at it if I got the garage door closed I could get some circulation with the 2 fans runnin.(at night)
Just wanted to add some automation when I'm not there for the freezer and electrical stuff. Last summer it was over a 100 for like 4 to 6 weeks straight.

 

[BoilermakerNate]

I would have to agree with mmhouse. An exhaust fan on one side of the space and a intake louver only on the opposite side would work just fine for circulating air. There's no need to have two fans. If you want more airflow, get a larger exhaust fan. I would personally use a motorized damper on the intake interlocked to the exhaust fan. Then just use a space thermostat to control operation of the fan.

Now if you want to take it a step further and introduce air conditioning for extremely hot days, you could always provide an outdoor air temperature sensor to lockout the AC unit unless it reaches or exceeds a certain temperature...95 F, 100 F, etc. I think this would be a little bit more effective than trying to "trend" the space yourself and come up with an operation schedule. Then obviously make sure to lock out the exhaust fan and close the motorized damper on the intake so you don't waste conditioned air.

You can certainly use automation to accomplish the same thing.