Smart Fan Speed Controller, a good idea or nah?

[Jack Tambo]

Hi everyone,

I am thinking about building a smart fan speed controller.

It would change the speed of your fan up and down, depending on the temperature inside the tent.

So while the lights are on, the fan would run faster to get rid of the heat. And during 'nighttime', the fan would slow down and be quieter.

Additionally, it would show current temperature and humidity on a display.

Other metrics like CO2 could be shown, too.

It could look somewhat like this:



Also, the thing could log data (temperature, humidity, CO2) in a graph over time:


You could check that graph on a smartphone from wherever you are.
However, this would require the speed controller to connect to the internet, which could undermine your privacy. So I may leave this away.



I am quite new in your forum. I hope you don't mind me asking such a question right at the beginning. But I just wanted to hear your opinion before I jump into the effort of building this.

Would anyone be interested in using this?


Thanks in advance for any comments. Happy growing.

 

[orbo]

Yes with the caveat that it must be programmable for other things. I use my exhaust fan for three primary purposes;

1. Remove heat
2. Remove humdity
3. Bring in fresh air

I don't want it to run 24/7 though. Could it be setup to control those three variables?

EDIT: I'd also like it to kick on the heater when it gets too cold.

 

[orbo]

I'd probably pay $50.00 bucks or so for a SINGLE gadget that could do all of the above mentioned. As it stands I have hand-crafted some shit from HomeDepot to get me the desired controls. But its big and bulky and it's all analog.

 

[orbo]

Oh yeah, and it needs to have a battery backup. Resetting things after a power outage is bullshit. ESPECIALLY if you're not home.

 

[Jack Tambo]

Yes with the caveat that it must be programmable for other things. I use my exhaust fan for three primary purposes;

1. Remove heat
2. Remove humdity
3. Bring in fresh air

I don't want it to run 24/7 though. Could it be setup to control those three variables?

EDIT: I'd also like it to kick on the heater when it gets too cold.

Yes, it could have 3 modes.

1. Remove heat
User sets temperature, fan speed get regulated to hold that temperature.

2. Remove humidity
User sets humidity e.g. 40% and the fan gets regulated to hold that humidity.

3. Bring in fresh air
User just manually sets fan speed?


Kicking on the heater... yes, that would be possible.

Thanks for those ideas

 

[Jack Tambo]

I'd probably pay $50.00 bucks or so for a SINGLE gadget that could do all of the above mentioned. As it stands I have hand-crafted some shit from HomeDepot to get me the desired controls. But its big and bulky and it's all analog.

$50 would be hard. It would be more like $90 - $110.

 

[orbo]

For #3. What I find is that occasionally the environment is just right (temp and humidity are within specifications) that no exhaust is really necessary. In those cases it should just be configurable to come on for - lets say - 10 minutes every half hour regardless of temp or humidity.

If this thing supports WiFi, has some tracking/trending capabilities, and is accessible/configurable remotely...I'd take my $50 up to $90-$110 for sure. $50 was idea of base gadget without the whistles and bells. The $50 unit S/B you're econo-line for folks without internet/wifi. LOL

 

[orbo]

Anyway, just some ideas. Not trying to steer you away from your original idea. But for me, what I've described above would get me off my hard earned loot.

 

[Jack Tambo]

For #3. What I find is that occasionally the environment is just right (temp and humidity are within specifications) that no exhaust is really necessary. In those cases it should just be configurable to come on for - lets say - 10 minutes every half hour regardless of temp or humidity.

If this thing supports WiFi, has some tracking/trending capabilities, and is accessible/configurable remotely...I'd take my $50 up to $90-$110 for sure. $50 was idea of base gadget without the whistles and bells. The $50 unit S/B you're econo-line for folks without internet/wifi. LOL

Lol good idea, that is all possible.

Anyway, just some ideas. Not trying to steer you away from your original idea. But for me, what I've described above would get me off my hard earned loot.

I very much appreciate the input! I wanna build something useful. So thank you!

Any more ideas anyone, please let me know.

 

[Chrissa]

It wud be Kool if it had multiple prograMable outlets possibly to interigate ballasts and even c02 dosing. u could have different models maybe the outlets could be opt to use as recycling timers or what not. And having and external probe that hangs in a tent optional for users who would rather mount the device outside of the tent..tbh I'd be good with a master controller that controlled all that plus pH dosing even something that could replenish your res with fresh water the correct amount of nutrients in ML. Or what not that wud be pretty sweet I think

 

[orbo]

And consider a photo cell so users can option to differentiate light cycle from dark cycle. Minor enhancement major benefits.

We're into full blown controller now. Maybe a Raspberry PI to run it? A little POSIX on the back-end with a Java GUI. Screw it...put Tomcat and mySQL on it too for storing/reporting historical information. LOL J/K

 

[Budley Doright]

Ok so we're still talking $110, I'm in lol. I built one that does heat, cool, humidity (24v output for relay), dehum. (Fresh air in) and also has light contactors built in. The thing it doesn't have is variable fan and wifi but the HVAC stat would just need to be upgraded for Internet (really like ecobee .). If you can build it for that I'll be fighting for a place in line. Great project, I'll be watching the progress.

 

[Chrissa]

This is pretty dope would be Kool if it wud work for any mobile OS
http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/how-to-make-grow-box-controller/

 

[Jack Tambo]

It wud be Kool if it had multiple prograMable outlets possibly to interigate ballasts and even c02 dosing. u could have different models maybe the outlets could be opt to use as recycling timers or what not. And having and external probe that hangs in a tent optional for users who would rather mount the device outside of the tent..tbh I'd be good with a master controller that controlled all that plus pH dosing even something that could replenish your res with fresh water the correct amount of nutrients in ML. Or what not that wud be pretty sweet I think

Yes, multiple 120V (or 220V) outlets would be possible. It would probably best if the user can program themselves what those do.

Is CO2 dosing done also via 120V/220V power outlet? Or how does that work.

I was planning on having probes on cables so the unit stays outside of the box.

And consider a photo cell so users can option to differentiate light cycle from dark cycle. Minor enhancement major benefits.

We're into full blown controller now. Maybe a Raspberry PI to run it? A little POSIX on the back-end with a Java GUI. Screw it...put Tomcat and mySQL on it too for storing/reporting historical information. LOL J/K

Good idea. It could have different sensors that could be plugged in. Depending on what the user wants.

So far it can all be run from an arduino style controller with WIFI (3G is also an option). This allows for over the air software updates. Tomcat and mySQL is sliiiiight overkill.

I built one that does heat, cool, humidity (24v output for relay), dehum. If you can build it for that I'll be fighting for a place in line. Great project, I'll be watching the progress.

I was thinking to put the relays into the controller and then have standard outlets. Would that work or do you need 24V out?

This is pretty dope would be Kool if it wud work for any mobile OS
http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/how-to-make-grow-box-controller/

It would be possible to check the historical and current data like temp, hum, CO2 etc. on the phone.

 

[Jack Tambo]

Lots of great ideas so far! Thank you heaps!

It seems to be heading towards a more complex controller.

So far we have:

Multiple power outlets
maybe 4?, that are programmable. They could be used for Air, heating, ballasts, water pumps, whatever .

Fan speed
If an outlet is used for air, it should be able to regulate temperature or humidity (variable fan speed).

Different probes
Depending on the user's need, different sensors could be plugged in.
Temperature, Humidity, water level, soil moisture, CO2, PH, Nutrient....
On a cable

Check on your phone,
from wherever you are.
Current climate and plot historical.


Because people are all having different setups, it hard to make something that appeals to most people.

So I am thinking it could be a good idea let users program the unit themselves?


So the outlets could be used for fans or timed lights or water pumps or whatever.

Users could just setup their unit the way they want. In an online editor.


Would that be useful? Let me know.


Thanks again heaps for the input so far!

 

[nomofatum]

I run my exhaust into my house for heat. I only grow during winter. Most of the time my lights don't produce 100% of the heat needed, but on warm days they can provide too much heat. On these warm days I manually unplug some of my supplemental lights so the house doesn't go over 75f and the grow stays in the 80's.

I would like a setup that could disable outlets when temps exceed x setting, then will continue to disable more outlets every Y minutes if temps don't drop below the X setting. Outlets should also re-enable if temps allow during the Y interval. One outlet would never disable due to temps, this is to maintain the light cycle.

You could also include fan speed reduction based on temps with a minimum to ensure no humidity issues.

Let me know when you start selling on ebay and amazon.

 

[Chrissa]

Lots of great ideas so far! Thank you heaps!

It seems to be heading towards a more complex controller.

So far we have:

Multiple power outlets
maybe 4?, that are programmable. They could be used for Air, heating, ballasts, water pumps, whatever .

Fan speed
If an outlet is used for air, it should be able to regulate temperature or humidity (variable fan speed).

Different probes
Depending on the user's need, different sensors could be plugged in.
Temperature, Humidity, water level, soil moisture, CO2, PH, Nutrient....
On a cable

Check on your phone,
from wherever you are.
Current climate and plot historical.


Because people are all having different setups, it hard to make something that appeals to most people.

So I am thinking it could be a good idea let users program the unit themselves?


So the outlets could be used for fans or timed lights or water pumps or whatever.

Users could just setup their unit the way they want. In an online editor.


Would that be useful? Let me know.


Thanks again heaps for the input so far!

For the fan speed use an auto transformer type controller to minimize fan motor hum

 

[bravedave]

Some overlap/competition?

Www.growtronix.com

 

[orbo]

If you haven't named it yet I came up with a name thats a bit cheeky in a steam punk kinda way - queß². Pronounced Cube Squared. I suggested that for another fellow who came looking for a name for his unit. I don't think he decided to go with it. Not many google hits for queb and my thinking was that the squared part of it denotes expandability. Anyway...case you're lookin for a name I like queß².

 

[Budley Doright]

All your outlets should be 115 or 230 I would think. And really only 230 for possible lighting or the Brits . I used 24v relays to power outlets 115v only because I'm an HVAC guy and most controls and thermostat is that , I have been looking at 12vdc controls due to lots of availability. My CO controller is stepped DC valve (haven't hooked it up yet). It's up to you how you energize the outlets, but probably 12vdc is where you'll find most controls you would need. I know shit about PLC's, and programming, perhaps a good winter learning thing . I love this shit lol. I'll see if I can get a few picks of the boxes I got going.