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The great heatwave of 2022

A project log for Personal air conditioning with MEMS

Your biggest ally during global warming.

lion-mclionheadlion mclionhead 08/12/2022 at 03:200 Comments

This proved its worth during the great heatwave of 2022.

Outside - inside temperatures tell the tale of heat turning into water vapor when compared to the days before swamp cooler.  Higher is better.

Comparing the great heatwaves of 2020 & 2022, the humidifier kept the inside 2-4 degrees cooler than what it would have been.  Indoor temperature peaks happened during the driest time of day when the humidifier is most effective.


Humidity with the swamp cooler on was 20-30% during the evenings.  It would have to be turned off during the mornings, when humidity hit 38%.  

The ideal position is right on top facing forward.  Lacking a place to mount it, the next best place is high on the side.  The problem is the airflow is clockwise so this position gets it pushed down into the speaker.   A tower fan is easier to mount on top of.  The current fan was a cheap stop gap solution.  

Sadly, the water level sensor started routinely failing on in temperatures above 90F.  

This didn't work. Water bridged the plastic standoffs.  It seems to be condensation between the standoffs in higher temperatures rather than incoming water clinging to the lid.  It might also be shaking of the desk splashing water on the standoffs.  It's going to need a more clever standoff design, since the spacing of the electrodes is proving enough.

Perfume & essential oil leave a lot of residue.  

A 5 gallon tank is your biggest ally in global warming, but lions only filled it to 1 gallon for fear of a leak.  The humidifier stayed on all night during the great heatwave of 2022.  It would not be affordable to add fragrance to these quantities.  Some highly desirable features are reading the hygrometer, turning off when humidity is over 38%, a timer for using a 32oz tank.  Lions seem to fall over above 38% humidity.

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