I cut them at 45 degrees and then made one splice to separate the bottom part into two, if that makes sense. I'm guessing I just was impatient after a week and not seeing anything come out, or I didn't do it right. But I haven't been let down yet on this method so I can't complain.

I can't say I have ever seen an AC unit in a grow like that before...does your light system really put out that much heat where you need the AC?