OT? AC Register in My Office

[Paul Alciatore]

My office, where I presently sit, is off of my den where my wife spends most of her time. And she likes it COLD. Even in winter, she has to run the air conditioner. I think it is an inherited thing. And don't even suggest anything, she stays.

The central style heat/AC is common to both rooms so there is always cold air coming my way. I can shut the vent in winter and use an electric heater which is sufficient for the south Texas winters. But summer is a problem as I need at least a bit of cooling. So I try to adjust the ceiling register to admit only a small amount of the cool air. But since it is a typical, low cost vent, it is difficult to get a good adjustment. The fact that it is on the ceiling and can not be reached directly without a ladder only makes it even more difficult. I use a length of copper pipe to tap on the lever to make adjustments but this is hardly an optimum solution.

What I am wondering is are there any registers that are of better quality so the adjustments are smoother and more precise? And are there any that are remote controlled? I have searched a bit, but they all look very similar and none seem to offer a way to control them without getting on a ladder. I would prefer to do it from my desk chair. I haven't measured it, but it appears to be around 5" X 10" or 6" X 12".

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Noitoen]

It has nothing to do with it but my big American style side by side fridge with only one motor has a small square slot register with a slide controlled by a small motor with a cam that varies the size of the holes, connected to the thermostat. Cool air from the freezer is blown to keep the fridge side controlled.

This would be quite simple to replicate in yous case.

[Bob Engelhardt]

"Smart" air vent:
https://www.amazon.com/Flair-Compati...dp/B07TKHXX8S/

Or Google "smart vent" or "motorized air duct damper 4 x 10"

[mickeyf]

are there any that are remote controlled?

Project! Micro-controller, temperature sensor, linear actuator! Go for it!

[PStechPaul]

Most vents have a simple flap which opens and closes by means of the lever as you have. It should be possible to rig a jackscrew that can be manually operated with an extension tool, or you can get fancy and make one which is electrically actuated. Here are some ideas:

https://rollertrol.com/actuator-for-...-window-opener



It's unusual for a woman to like it cold - unless she's an Eskimo...

[OaklandGB]

I wonder if you could buy the best register you can find that fits your duct outlet at a HVAC dealer or big box store, then re engineer it a bit to open close fully. Mine were all so poorly made that they barely operated even when new. I had to remove and replace some of the cheap rivets with small nuts and bolts and remove blobs of hardened paint that kept them from opening and closing completely. Even the louver mounts weren't in line with the open close operation so they bound up. Had to use some pliers to get them in line so as not to bind up. Even then, the engineering was such that they really didn't close properly.

Maybe design some kind of screw actuated device instead of the stiff, riveted, poorly operating levers they use. Then, perhaps use a small pole (like those fiberglass driveway markers) with at bit epoxied on the end that fits the screw mechanism to rotate it open and closed.

But then, maybe I'm just dreamin' out loud!

[MrWhoopee]

I've observed that this is another of God's cruel jokes. When we are young, the man is running hot and the woman is always cold. Then, at that certain time, the woman starts running hot and the man, having lost muscle mass and slowed metabolically, is now cold. Going through the second phase right now, but we have no A/C to fight over.

I went through a brief period of hot flashes (!) a couple of years ago. It's no joke!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program......

[reggie_obe]

Adapt a choke cable or throttle cable from a mower to the existing handle. Run it across ceiling and down the wall.
Rivet a largish disc to the lever so its center is the same as the lever's pivot point. Attach two beaded chains on opposite end of the disc, one for Open, one for Close.

Or do something ridiculous like the linear actuator.

[BCRider]

An easy way to seal off a common floor register is simply lay a rubber back floor mat over it. Provided there isn't enough airflow to levitate the mat she'll get all the cooling air where she is and you don't get any in your "zone".

[mickeyf]

simply lay a rubber back floor mat over it.

Wee gravity issue in this case. "Ceiling register." Serious levitation is exactly what is needed!

[PStechPaul]

Two word solution: Refrigerator magnets...

[reggie_obe]

These: https://www.frostking.com/products/p...ic-vent-covers

[Paul Alciatore]

That looks neat. I guess my Google foo was not up to snuff. It helps to know what words to include.

Only thing I do not like is the batteries. But there was a reference to 24 VAC power. I need to do another search.

Thanks!

"Smart" air vent:
https://www.amazon.com/Flair-Compati...dp/B07TKHXX8S/

Or Google "smart vent" or "motorized air duct damper 4 x 10"

[Paul Alciatore]

I thought of that, but my project list is already longer than my expected life. So I am hoping for a ready made device. And I added one more element, photo cells and rechargable batteries for power. But no temperature sensor, that was going to be my job.

Project! Micro-controller, temperature sensor, linear actuator! Go for it!

[Paul Alciatore]

Oh so much truth here.

But we don't fight. She is in the room with the thermostat. I am not.

I've observed that this is another of God's cruel jokes. When we are young, the man is running hot and the woman is always cold. Then, at that certain time, the woman starts running hot and the man, having lost muscle mass and slowed metabolically, is now cold. Going through the second phase right now, but we have no A/C to fight over.

I went through a brief period of hot flashes (!) a couple of years ago. It's no joke!

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program......