Questions about AC Infinity's Terraform 7

[MiGrampa]

Good day all ... My question is about this device that has not been fully released yet:

[US Only] TERRAFORM 7, Multi-Functional Air Conditioner, with Heater, Dehumidifier, and Circulator, VPD Controller, 4-Way Ducting for Grow Tents, 8000 BTU

Your source to create smart growing systems with components including advance grow tents, inline fans, clip-on fans, LED grow lights, and UIS™ controllers.

acinfinity.com

From what I have read, it has an AC mode, it has a dehumidifier mode, and it has a heater mode. However from what I have read, you have to reconfigure the hoses to switch between the modes. With that said, its a good idea that needs improvement.

Does anyone know of a similar device that is set up to use flow hoses into and out of your grow tent for climate control? Perfect would be on the lines of a portable AC unit with ports to attach your flow hoses to. Does such a device exist? I'd be satisfied if I could run heating and cooling through the same output without reconfiguring the equipment. Most important would be a cheaper unit since this one is $600 and really isn't an automated solution.

I'm looking forward to all your responses.

 

[freezeland]

If the lung room the tent is in is good for maintaining interior tent parameters you wouldn’t need that contraption.

 

[MiGrampa]

If the lung room the tent is in is good for maintaining interior tent parameters you wouldn’t need that contraption.

I guess my basement doesn't fit those parameters. I do fine during the colder months of the year, but during the warmer months ... summer time especially ... it's too much to handle in the grow area.

I am in a battle with humidity right now. I moved my dehumidifier across the room which improved things and got me where I need to be. However, it doesn't address the need for extra cooling during the summer months. Also, the dehumidifier produces too much heat. The grow tent can get above 85F with the dehuey as close as I have it located. I can fine-tune its location some ... but its not going to be adequate for a mid summer run. The area also is cooled by central air but its thermostat controls are on the main level of the house so it has no idea what the temp and humidity are in the basement.

I'm looking for a plug and play option ... not a minisplit

 

[steamroller]

I thought this piece of equipment looked cool also.
I was hoping it would switch itself from heating to cooling automatically.
It does not as you mentioned.
Seems like a PIA to switch from one to the other actually?
I use a heater/AC from LG that looks like an ordinary AC window unit.
It also needs to be set for heat or cooling which is why I thought the ACI looked interesting.
I wish a unit could do both without my input but maybe it just can't happen.
Here is the PDF with instructions on the ACI.

https://acinfinity.com/content/ACN2407X1_240718_TERRAFORM%20Manual.pdf

My LG was about $500 4 years ago.
My room needs the heat at lights out but also would benefit from cooling during lights on.
First world problems I am sure.

 

[MiGrampa]

The Terraform 7 is a good idea that needs improvements. I don't mind having to switch between modes using a remote control or a smart phone app. I don't want something that I have to physically reconfigure to switch between modes. I also don't want something that takes up real estate inside the tent. I think a portable AC for half or a bit more than half the cost of the $600 ACI (prototype) system can be modified with ducting that would allow me to toggle between these modes without the need for changing the ducting.

Has anyone here ducted a portable AC unit's airflow into a grow tent and what materials did you actually use to get this done?

 

[moe.red]

I’m not sure one will ever exist

There are 4 separate processes there that require different hardware. And each of those influence the other. A stand alone dehumidifier removes water but raises temp. An ac unit reduces temp but also humidity.

Unless you have 4 separate devices able to be controlled individually your environment will always be a best fit compromise.

In my case both the ac and dehumidifier are larger individually than this whole unit

Love the concept just don’t understand how the engineering would work in reality: be small and under $2000.

And another thing why not build the humidifier so we can feed it with an RO line? Swing and a miss

 

[MiGrampa]

I’m not sure one will ever exist

There are 4 separate processes there that require different hardware. And each of those influence the other. A stand alone dehumidifier removes water but raises temp. An ac unit reduces temp but also humidity.

Unless you have 4 separate devices able to be controlled individually your environment will always be a best fit compromise.

In my case both the ac and dehumidifier are larger individually than this whole unit

Love the concept just don’t understand how the engineering would work in reality: be small and under $2000.

And another thing why not build the humidifier so we can feed it with an RO line? Swing and a miss

It sounds as if you have already put some thought into this situation.

Best would be switching technology that would allow the device to transfer seamlessly from one mode to another without user input. However, I would be happy if the device could provide both adequate heating and cooling. I have both humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

 

[Bandit420]

I've looked into it and it's not for me for several reasons. I'm aware it could have use for others but I will post why it's not for me...

#1. It's AC Infinity. Now I love their gear and it's helped me out a ton. However, I have a UV light driver and an inline fan unresponsive to some control demands like scheduling and environment parameters.
I've also had my controllers blank out and go to factory default twice in a year then needed everything to be set up again.
Given these types of glitches along with periodic firmware updates etc, I'm not sure I'd trust it to shut off or turn on when needed. It would have life critical duties and one failure could be a crop killer if it's not caught in time.

#2. The first people to get these devices will be the ACI influencers. Nearly every initial review will be glowing positive and being GenX, I personally say fuck off to all influencer shit. I boycott those clowns since they all turn me off and away from shit they peddle. This is a personal, perhaps generational reason for me but for younger people it may not be such a deal breaker.

#3. I don't need dehuey but do need AC. AC is also a dehuey so having both would be redundant and adds to the cost of the device

#4. Those hoses. I like a window unit with analog control then hook up an external digital thermostat for accuracy.
What can I say...it's old school but reliable and accurate AF.
My window unit can share a foxhole with me anytime because I know it's got my back. And being a window unit, there's no hoses and it's always out of the way.
Using a 3D printer and design program, I could if I wanted, make any kind of adapter to fit the outlet of my window unit that would allow me to plug a duct line into it and run it to a tent. Otherwise a portable AC duct to window adapter and a lot of duct tape could do the job.
Because of this I just don't see any way a portable AC can kick my window unit out of my room. When it dies, another $120, 500 watt, 5000 BTU analog window unit will replace it unless somebody invents a no hose portable 5000 BTU about 2' tall, 1' wide, and 1' deep that will fit my space.

#5. Heat and cooling all in one isn't a good sales point for me. I prefer the two separate and feel like the combo adds to cost.
Like my AC, I like a cheap 700 watt low, 1500 watt hi, electric space heater with a thermostat control when my lights don't produce enough heat I need.
I also don't want the heat blowing directly onto plants which I think would be an issue with the ACI unit with the heat entering a duct port

 

[moe.red]

It sounds as if you have already put some thought into this situation.

Best would be switching technology that would allow the device to transfer seamlessly from one mode to another without user input. However, I would be happy if the device could provide both adequate heating and cooling. I have both humidifiers and dehumidifiers.

I have limitations some do not I guess. Running a sealed grow means things need to be non-exhausting. Running a big space with hydro means 70lpd dehumidifier does not keep up at lights out. Not even close. Had to go to this setup.



I would just say that my experience is that any small box like this would be a half measure, at least for my grows, even if it did all the things we are asking it to. But it may be close enough for some folks in smaller spaces with stable long rooms.

 

[MiGrampa]

I've looked into it and it's not for me for several reasons. I'm aware it could have use for others but I will post why it's not for me...

#1. It's AC Infinity. Now I love their gear and it's helped me out a ton. However, I have a UV light driver and an inline fan unresponsive to some control demands like scheduling and environment parameters.
I've also had my controllers blank out and go to factory default twice in a year then needed everything to be set up again.
Given these types of glitches along with periodic firmware updates etc, I'm not sure I'd trust it to shut off or turn on when needed. It would have life critical duties and one failure could be a crop killer if it's not caught in time.

#2. The first people to get these devices will be the ACI influencers. Nearly every initial review will be glowing positive and being GenX, I personally say fuck off to all influencer shit. I boycott those clowns since they all turn me off and away from shit they peddle. This is a personal, perhaps generational reason for me but for younger people it may not be such a deal breaker.

#3. I don't need dehuey but do need AC. AC is also a dehuey so having both would be redundant and adds to the cost of the device

#4. Those hoses. I like a window unit with analog control then hook up an external digital thermostat for accuracy.
What can I say...it's old school but reliable and accurate AF.
My window unit can share a foxhole with me anytime because I know it's got my back. And being a window unit, there's no hoses and it's always out of the way.
Using a 3D printer and design program, I could if I wanted, make any kind of adapter to fit the outlet of my window unit that would allow me to plug a duct line into it and run it to a tent. Otherwise a portable AC duct to window adapter and a lot of duct tape could do the job.
Because of this I just don't see any way a portable AC can kick my window unit out of my room. When it dies, another $120, 500 watt, 5000 BTU analog window unit will replace it unless somebody invents a no hose portable 5000 BTU about 2' tall, 1' wide, and 1' deep that will fit my space.

#5. Heat and cooling all in one isn't a good sales point for me. I prefer the two separate and feel like the combo adds to cost.
Like my AC, I like a cheap 700 watt low, 1500 watt hi, electric space heater with a thermostat control when my lights don't produce enough heat I need.
I also don't want the heat blowing directly onto plants which I think would be an issue with the ACI unit with the heat entering a duct port

I have a small window AC unit but its still larger than my basement windows. This is why a portable unit has appeal for my current situation. The funny part is I used to own a 14000BTU energy hog portable AC unit but gave it to my son in law because it was large, bulky, loud, and inefficient. However it may be the best solution as long as I can duct the air from the unit into the grow tent instead of putting the unit inside it. Those portable units exhaust a ton of hot air on cooling mode so I would want to vent it out the basement window during the summer months.

With enough thought and brainstorming, I will figure out a workable solution ... and yes, I realize it will still likely be somewhat of a compromise in the end.

 

[moe.red]

I have a small window AC unit but its still larger than my basement windows. This is why a portable unit has appeal for my current situation. The funny part is I used to own a 14000BTU energy hog portable AC unit but gave it to my son in law because it was large, bulky, loud, and inefficient. However it may be the best solution as long as I can duct the air from the unit into the grow tent instead of putting the unit inside it. Those portable units exhaust a ton of hot air on cooling mode so I would want to vent it out the basement window during the summer months.

With enough thought and brainstorming, I will figure out a workable solution ... and yes, I realize it will still likely be somewhat of a compromise in the end.

I would bet you could find a way to adapt the window unit to a smaller window. A little ozark American engineering goes a long way.

 

[MiGrampa]

I would bet you could find a way to adapt the window unit to a smaller window. A little ozark American engineering goes a long way.

I already have lol ...

a styrofoam cooler fitted to the back to collect exhaust air and incased in wood to give it durability. Then vent the hot air using dryer venting out the window. I'm not sure if I want to go that route yet. Too much backpressure through the AC unit might make it difficult to achieve the results I'm hoping for.

Edit: I do have a few 6" industrial grade 120v cooling fans that I could use to help exhaust the air.

 

[steamroller]

My room is also limited with amount of electricity I feed.
I have 3@15 circuits going to the room and every added piece of equipment can be a deal breaker IMO. See what I did there~!
Not that both a heater and AC will run at the same time but either would be running with fans and humi or dehumi.
I split the lights between 2 breakers and run equipment on the other.
The fans are moot IMO but the other equipment all has draw the way I see it.

Another draw back to the ACI IMO is all in one. As nice as it is to have an all in one when one function goes haywire the whole unit may be shot or have to go in for service leaving a big hole in the room controls.

 

[Driver77]

I have a small window AC unit but its still larger than my basement windows. This is why a portable unit has appeal for my current situation. The funny part is I used to own a 14000BTU energy hog portable AC unit but gave it to my son in law because it was large, bulky, loud, and inefficient. However it may be the best solution as long as I can duct the air from the unit into the grow tent instead of putting the unit inside it. Those portable units exhaust a ton of hot air on cooling mode so I would want to vent it out the basement window during the summer months.

With enough thought and brainstorming, I will figure out a workable solution ... and yes, I realize it will still likely be somewhat of a compromise in the end.

I have a portable ac unit I would like to get rid of.....like you said not particularly efficient....this one has a dry mode also. I had a hose rigged up to pump it in the tent and another to vent outside. It just seemed to put more heat out into the lung room than it could cool in the tent even venting outside....it radiated heat it seemed. I even put insulated hose on the exhaust. I ended up putting a window unit in the next room and blowing it in with a fan.
Free to any takers!

 

[Tremojem]

I've looked into it and it's not for me for several reasons. I'm aware it could have use for others but I will post why it's not for me...

#1. It's AC Infinity. Now I love their gear and it's helped me out a ton. However, I have a UV light driver and an inline fan unresponsive to some control demands like scheduling and environment parameters.
I've also had my controllers blank out and go to factory default twice in a year then needed everything to be set up again.
Given these types of glitches along with periodic firmware updates etc, I'm not sure I'd trust it to shut off or turn on when needed. It would have life critical duties and one failure could be a crop killer if it's not caught in time.

#2. The first people to get these devices will be the ACI influencers. Nearly every initial review will be glowing positive and being GenX, I personally say fuck off to all influencer shit. I boycott those clowns since they all turn me off and away from shit they peddle. This is a personal, perhaps generational reason for me but for younger people it may not be such a deal breaker.

#3. I don't need dehuey but do need AC. AC is also a dehuey so having both would be redundant and adds to the cost of the device

#4. Those hoses. I like a window unit with analog control then hook up an external digital thermostat for accuracy.
What can I say...it's old school but reliable and accurate AF.
My window unit can share a foxhole with me anytime because I know it's got my back. And being a window unit, there's no hoses and it's always out of the way.
Using a 3D printer and design program, I could if I wanted, make any kind of adapter to fit the outlet of my window unit that would allow me to plug a duct line into it and run it to a tent. Otherwise a portable AC duct to window adapter and a lot of duct tape could do the job.
Because of this I just don't see any way a portable AC can kick my window unit out of my room. When it dies, another $120, 500 watt, 5000 BTU analog window unit will replace it unless somebody invents a no hose portable 5000 BTU about 2' tall, 1' wide, and 1' deep that will fit my space.

#5. Heat and cooling all in one isn't a good sales point for me. I prefer the two separate and feel like the combo adds to cost.
Like my AC, I like a cheap 700 watt low, 1500 watt hi, electric space heater with a thermostat control when my lights don't produce enough heat I need.
I also don't want the heat blowing directly onto plants which I think would be an issue with the ACI unit with the heat entering a duct port

Yes...finally!!! Fuck these punk ass influencers. So damn annoying. So fake and full of shit, peddling the next "rushed to market", not proven piece of bro science garbage. "Hi gromies, how about a new IR Gun that you can't use in real time, cuz the display and lazer are completely invisible inside tent with grow light on, but we're cool right, we're groovy and positive and upbeat and newfangled". Fuck off.

I love ACI. But hate the way they try to make anything and everything under the sun...and ALWAYS RUSHED TO MARKET! Uuuuggghhh!

 

[MiGrampa]

Yeah my idea of the Terraform 7 is its an expensive prototype. It's not plug and play. A person is probably better off looking at several other options including even a mini-split in some cases.

 

[Tremojem]

There are some portable AC/Heat units available. They exhaust outside using a customizable "window opening" panel. They can be used in the Lung Room, as they are too big for a 5x5. I use them in my very old country home. I was tired and frankly too old to use traditional window units. They are very efficient and now take advantage of Inverter Motors. They saved me about 20K on retro fitting my old home with split units or any whole house system. Out of four quotes, one was 32K...damn crooks. Other three fell in line at about 24K. I got 5 units for 2500K. They kick ass and are no more expensive to run than the whole house system. Love them.

Prices have increased. I did not purchase the heat option, but provided the link for it.

https://a.co/d/g90CqJC