3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Cheap DIY Air Conditioner

Cheap DIY Air Conditioner
«
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.47.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.48.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.48 #2.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.49.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.49 #2.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.50.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.50 #2.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.51.jpg
  • last photo ←
»
I built this completely with materials found around my house.
This is NOT meant to cool down a whole room, it just creates a nice cool breeze. 

Materials Needed:
Coleman Personal8 Cooler (or similar)
Small, cheap styrofoam cooler (usually under $10) will also work. 

3 PVC elbow joints, about 1/2 in. ID (around $1 each at hardware store)

Drill with bit same size as OD of PVC elbows

Computer fan (about $5 from radioshack)

12v transformer* (not sure where to buy these...)

6 empty gatorade bottles

Duct tape (about $10 from radioshack)

Extension cord w/ switch (not totally necessary, but nice to have)

Xacto knife

*transformer only necessary for a 12v fan, you can get a different one for different voltage fans of just install a plug if you have a 120v fan.
 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up
 

Step 1Cut Hole For Fan

Cut Hole For Fan
«
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.49.jpg
  • Photo on 2010-08-24 at 21.49 #2.jpg
Put the fan up against the back of the cooler, mark with pencil around the outside of it, and cut out a square hole for the fan. Push the fan into the hole. A tight fit is good; it lets less air escape. 
« Previous StepDownload PDFView All StepsNext Step »
3 comments
Sep 24, 2010. 8:12 PMit_dont_work says:
a good improvment could be to add salt to the water bottles so after they've been froven they'll take alot longer to defrost
Aug 26, 2010. 10:29 PMcambigfoot says:
cool but how is it for school? a hot dorm room? lol
Aug 26, 2010. 7:11 PMPosterGrampa says:
For a Fan you can use a computer case fan alonge with a power supply from a computer also. So next time you are scrapping out your old computer save the case fan and switching power supply. That way you are only buying the pipe & duct tape for your air conditioner making it a cheep build. Regards, PG

Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

All Steps Viewing
View all steps of an Instructable on the same page when you're a Pro Member.

Upgrade to Pro today!
1
Followers
1
Author:samw8888(Electric Go Kart Conversion)