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Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
Since I am not an HVAC engineer, as I assume most of you are ;), I would appreciate any feedback on the feasibility of the following simple solution. I’m thinking of connecting a 6" duct fan in-line in 3" PVC using reducers. I had hoped to find thin walled Schedule 20 or 10, but may have to use schedule 40.
Does anyone have concerns with using the 6" fan (to get more theoretical cfm)? I know the 90 degree elbows with result in drag - but I may test to see just how much.
Thx Attachment 234816
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
I've always figured out the cubic feet of my proposed darkroom first, then went from there
The advantage of converting an existing bathroom is that an adequate vent fan is usually already in situ.
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
My darkroom is an open unfinished basement, complete with all the associated air leaks, so I would need a huge fan to turn over all the air an adequate number of times per hour. So I’m just planning to position ventilation directly over the source of the most offensive chemical fumes - my development trays.
Thanks
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
I'm not an HVAC engineer but I don't think I've ever heard of a situation where smaller pipe didn't reduce airflow.
Rather than some inline duct booster fan, I would probably try to find a cheap or used kitchen vent hood which would have CFM ratings and install guides to make sure you get all of that rated CFM. It might have nice lights too.
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MILC Toast
I'm not an HVAC engineer but I don't think I've ever heard of a situation where smaller pipe didn't reduce airflow.
Rather than some inline duct booster fan, I would probably try to find a cheap or used kitchen vent hood which would have CFM ratings and install guides to make sure you get all of that rated CFM. It might have nice lights too.
Thanks - that what I was concerned about, I may buy a bit of pipe and do a test today and see what happens. I may then check out a kitchen hood.
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Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
...or you could try something like this - with inexpensive six inch flexible dryer vent. In my case, I also utilized a couple of furnace air vents (cut into the sink shelf) and pipes...as well as a couple of internal "shut-off" vanes (not sure what to call them...but like an air valve in a carburetor) so I can control the airflow to each run:
Attachment 234818
At any rate...what you can't see is the fan above the top of the image - which looks in profile much like the one in your drawing. Funny thing that once I started researching fans online and came up with this one...I started getting lots of online attention from various companies who supply ventilation systems for pot growers!
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
Quote:
Originally Posted by
gdi
My darkroom is an open unfinished basement, complete with all the associated air leaks, so I would need a huge fan to turn over all the air an adequate number of times per hour. So I’m just planning to position ventilation directly over the source of the most offensive chemical fumes - my development trays.
Thanks
One idea might be to frame out a smaller room in your basement. My darkroom was in an open basement as well and trying to manage all the light leaks was always a bit much and the dust was terrible. It's a bit of a project but I'm glad I spent the time to frame out a smaller room. Having a dedicated space that you can darken by closing a door, while leaving the rest of the basement alone is great. Also the dust is about 10 times better in the smaller room than the rest of the basement.
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Layton
...internal "shut-off" vanes (not sure what to call them...but like an air valve in a carburetor)
"Dampers".:)
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
Quote:
Originally Posted by
John Layton
...or you could try something like this - with inexpensive six inch flexible dryer vent. In my case, I also utilized a couple of furnace air vents (cut into the sink shelf) and pipes...as well as a couple of internal "shut-off" vanes (not sure what to call them...but like an air valve in a carburetor) so I can control the airflow to each run:
Attachment 234818
At any rate...what you can't see is the fan above the top of the image - which looks in profile much like the one in your drawing. Funny thing that once I started researching fans online and came up with this one...I started getting lots of online attention from various companies who supply ventilation systems for pot growers!
Excellent - that looks great. I was thinking that flexible duct would drag the air flow but it like you engineered a nice solution. I went to Home Depot today and saw the options are pretty sparse for my design. I may rethink and consider something like you have done. It looks like your ducking is 6”, is that correct?
And, yes the fan I have been using for May Nova tent is one designed for GrowTents !
Re: Question on DIY darkroom ventilation
I was trying to avoid building out a separate room due to the complications. Given the open floor joists I think I would need a ceiling in it to make it fairly air tight so a ventilation fan can do its job. I have gone to the effort of light sealing the large space and it seems to work fine ( and I have learned that distant small light sources are not really a problem.
I guess this big space also reduces the importance of complex venting. Right now I am not standing directly over the trays and the smells don’t bother me at all. I’m just worried that longer term it might be a problem, but limiting my printing to B&W probably means I may be excessively cautious.
With that said - I did consider a quick way to wall off a room and haven’t totally abandoned it - it is called tge “Ever Block” system.
https://www.everblocksystems.com/our...caAiuIEALw_wcB