HVAC Air conditioner help

[meat hunter]

I know there is someone on here who can answer this. I know this can be done, but I cannot find the answers on google. I have a somewhat new window ac unit that I want to use for a walk in cooler for next years deer season. A friend of mine did it and got his 8x8 room down to 36 degrees. Unmodified, ac units won't go below a certain temp, I know they need some sort of modification, I just don't know what it is. Who has the answer?

 

[pineywoods]

Check this link out

http://storeitcold.com/

and this thread

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=71619

 

[meat hunter]

Hey thanks Piney. Yeah I checked that site out earlier, he also sells them on ebay. Its something my friend did to his unit, something with the thermostat I think. Replaced it with another kind. Very cheap but very effective. He has since moved and I have no contact with him

 

[meat hunter]

Damm my fat sausage fingers got in the way. Piney I didn't see that link for the forums you posted

. Thanks.

 

[the iceman]

Okay, HVAC is NOT Refrigeration. They may be in the same family but they are two completely different animals. And yes, I am in Low Temp Refrigeration, I work on walk-ins, ice machines etc. all the time. I'm done with my little rant, I feel 'more gooder' now.

There are a number of problems with doing what you plan to do. First of all, you would need to override the existing temp control to get to the temperature you need & if the a/c unit you have is not big enough, i.e. does not have the capacity, (see first link below) the evaporator coils will turn into an iceberg because the compressor will run non stop. Regardless, a timer would need to be added to turn the compressor off to defrost the coils. The only way those units stay free of ice buildup is the off time of the compressor. The evaporator fan needs to stay on to allow for a defrost.
Also, keep in mind that warm moist air flows toward dry cold spaces. Your room you plan to use would need to be well insulated & sealed with a vapor barrier. The word mildew comes to mind. If you haven't already read this page & this page from Pineywoods' link, do so. They bring up some good points.

What is your budget for this project? I ran across a link a while back for a relatively inexpensive walk-in cooler. If I find it I'll let you know.