Duct: from open window to case

[Jagermeister]

Ok, I'm thinking of taking some ducting, putting one side against an open window with a mesh thing, the other end to my side intake fan.

So, how safe is this? I'm pretty sure that it will suck cold air in, however since it is winter time I'm a little worried about perspiration and other water getting in there.

Bugs and dirt and stuff worries me the least, the window is high up (about 6 feet off actual ground) and the net/mesh thing is pretty fine.

[OS-Wiz]

I would be concerned about possible condensation problems.

[mystifmagic]

I bought tubing and the attachments from a hardware store to run from my window to my top blowhole during the winter. I have never had any trouble with condensation (even though I live in humid south Texas) and it lowers my temps a good bit. I cut plywood the exact width of my window and cut a hole for the tubing. I just simple open the window and place the wood (with tubing attached) and close the window onto the wood. All that's left is running the tubing to my blowhole. Give it a test run; condensation really shouldn't be an issue unless it's wet/raining outside. Sapasion usually (last time I checked) does a winter mod, but running a tube from his garage to his PC; you can ask him about that.

[kusojiji]

put a dip in the ducting so that if there is any water, it collects in it and not go into the computer, provided that the airflow is not too fast. Kinda like a sink trap.

[sapasion]

I've done something similar yes and so does jamesavery22. I chose my garage over the pure outside precisely for moisture control myself.

[GB_Cobber]

Originally posted by OS-Wiz
I would be concerned about possible condensation problems.

Not a problem. Condensation occurs when air is cooled. Not when its heated.

[dafanman]

Here are some pics of my dryer hose mod, very easy to do and very effective.
Dryer hose mod pics

[russ_watters]

Originally posted by GB_Cobber
Not a problem. Condensation occurs when air is cooled. Not when its heated.

Not exactly. Condensation occurs when warm air touches a cold surface. So when you have a duct with cold air going into a case, you have cold surfaces on the duct, in the case, and maybe the surface of the case. Lots of possible places for condensation to form.

So be very careful: don't allow the cold air the chance to make any surfaces inside the case cold (for example, duct it straight onto the cpu).

Also, PC fans aren't very strong - so depending on the fan and duct and outside environment, a little WIND outside might screw up your airflow.

[mikead_99]

Originally posted by russ_watters
Not exactly. Condensation occurs when warm air touches a cold surface. So when you have a duct with cold air going into a case, you have cold surfaces on the duct, in the case, and maybe the surface of the case. Lots of possible places for condensation to form.

So be very careful: don't allow the cold air the chance to make any surfaces inside the case cold (for example, duct it straight onto the cpu).

Also, PC fans aren't very strong - so depending on the fan and duct and outside environment, a little WIND outside might screw up your airflow.

Warm air touching cold is when condensation occurs, just pay attention to the humidity in your area/home. This only happens when the air is holding enough moisture to do that. I know in my area, the air is so dry in the winter we need to run a humidifier in the house, probably making it unsafe for me. If you have dry air though, you should be safe, just pay attention to the days that aren't so dry.