Evaporative Shop Coolers- Opinions?

[hitest]

Hello folks-

I'm spoiled at my work in our shop with a huge Portacool. It is the largest they make- and cools about 4000sqft of shop very well- save for the noise. My subject is what do folks use for their home shop. I've got about 700ft in my main work area of my detached garage. I also host the occasional patio thing that roasts grandparents and melts homemade ice cream before its eaten. I'm investigating portable coolers (Portacool models in particular in the 110v, 16" and smaller range and they run about $800-1000 on their website) and really want to know what other folks use.

Are there rival companies folks love I should check?

PS- There's one other "cooler" thread- but the subject switches between thermadors and swamps with no clarity.
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[TDCTDI]

How much humidity is normal for your region? If you live in a region with “dry heat” then a swamp cooler will work for you. In my area, the humidity level is usually 90% or more (currently 97%). When the air is already this thick, an evaporative cooler doesn’t work.

Unless you want to dump a large amount of money into a hulking appliance that you might only use 3-4 times a year, you can invest in a large awning, buy misting nozzles
https://www.aeromist.com/misting-nozzles.html
& a few box fans/squirrel cage blowers & cool a much larger area.
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Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it.

[allenw]

I use a 10,000 BTU window AC unit in my 2 car garage. It works good on days when it is 95 or hotter it keeps it at around 75 also keeps the humidity down. They are only 270.00 and does not take up floor space.

[gt1953]

I like the idea of the portable cooler as you can use it for other applications. I think you are in a dry low humidity region. Go for it.
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[cdennisg]

Boise Idaho is often near triple digits temps in the summer, with near single digit humidity. Swamp coolers work very well there.

Bradford, I have no experience with the particular brand of cooler you mention, but they seem to work. For your shop, a permanent swamp cooler would likely do well. For outside, the recommendation of misters and fans might be better.
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nothing

[Randall]

[bigdog1962]

I'm interested too in suggestions. Where I live, it's often 95 and 95 percent humidity. I have fans but they blow hot air. The shop gets hotter than that and I have two ceiling fans also
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Oprn wrote: I'm getting to the age that any self propelled woman (no wheel chair or walker) looks HOT!! Oooo! look at that Babe! She made it from the dining room all the way to the TV room without help!! Hubba, hubba!!

[TDCTDI]

[cdennisg]

[hitest]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

I have the biggest window unit before you go to 220....I think it's a 15,000 BTU (would have to check)

it cools my 4 bay shop with 14' ceilings no problem and that's bringing cars in/out multiple times a day.

averages 70* in here during the day. 65* if I have a car in all day and don't open the door. it's nice to work with your bean bag not sticking to your leg
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[busdaddy]

[hitest]

Yup- they are bloody expensive. I still do want something slick and safe enough that my wife can roll it around the porch. Portacool has a little bit of that extra name-recog. value in them. But when they approach the price of whole cars...
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[ToolBox]

You could install a mini split system and also get heat in the winter.

[hitest]

Thanks toolbox- fortunately I've already got a small NG heater in the ceiling- along with a large overhead fan.
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[Mid Engine Bug]

I have a little portable AC unit like this...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Haier-8-000-BTU-Portab.../300013684

It works ok for the garage but I believe thats mostly my garages fault. There is a big lack of insulation. When one of my AC units for the house went out, I used the portable unit inside and it worked good. The room I had it in is about the size of a 4 car garage and it kept the room at around 80° when it was 100° out. The thing that I dont like about it is that there is a big duct that you have to run outside. There is also a water drain line that needs to go outside.
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679467

[hitest]

Hmmm. Hadn't thought of one of those for the porch- excellent outdoor application. Thanks for the tip!
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[Spezialist]

It’s the right way to cool. Adds moisture to the air which helps your body cool also.
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[TDCTDI]