i got a little bit of a chub reading your post. look forward to seeing/reading more about your setup.
Cheap FULLY Automated Growroom
- Thread starter Cali Wayne
- Start date
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
He said 3 months. been over 4 now. Where is his 'showcase'?
alexonfire
Well-Known Member
Wow this looks like an awesome idea, cant wait to see it up here on RIU!
jonlabell2
Member
What are the specs and name odf the setup i am looking to buy the full set uP!
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
What do you want? And how much do you wanna spend?
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
So many people roll into these threads claiming all things, but make a single post and never back anything up.
wannabes!
wannabes!
Any suggestions for low cost monitoring that can send SNMP?
Looking to monitor:
Door Open/Close
Light Level
Temp
Humidity
Air Flow
I am looking at the WeatherDuck/Goose products, but they don't seem to have a remote light-level sensor.
Thx
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
Do you really need light level or just know if its on/off.
Air flow is an expensive sensor.
Whats your budget?
Air flow is an expensive sensor.
Whats your budget?
Just to know it's on or off really. I figured light level could tell me if only my hps OR side lighting was working, but that's not critical. Airflow is a nice-to-have as well. The MiniGoose II does everything but the lights for < $400. I like that I can use SNMP with it also. It seems like a pretty good deal for what im looking for. The light sensor is really the only thing holding me back. I'd like to keep my budget between 4-500.
Thx
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
Then go for the minigoose. For the light, a simple photocell and a little glue logic and give you a sensor. Pumped through a couple op-amps and you could do the on, side ,or hps lighting. But would need a minimum of 2 inputs on the goose or a single analog input on it to be available.
Cool, thx. I need to read up on how these sensors communicate with the main unit. It seems like it's using regular telephone cable. Not sure on the analog vs non-analog input piece. Do you know of a solid general knowledge site I can browse to learn a bit more? The MiniGoose site only talks about their own sensors you can buy, but it seems that a lot of other things may work as well as long as I am within certain guidelines.
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
To learn more? I dunno. All I did was buy some parts, some books, soldering iron and fire extinguisher, and went to town
The sensor connector means *nothing* and even less from these proprietary devices companies.
Analog is a varying (or signal) voltage. (think temp)
Digital is either on or off. (think light)
Inquire with them. Get the pinouts of the ports. See if its analog/digital or 4-20am current loop. If they won't give that info out so you can make/wire up your own sensors, don't deal with them.
Also looks like a dumb remote I/O device. Needs a 'puter to control it. I don't trust anything from M$ since win 2k for any critical stuff. (even with the watchog timers)
I'd prefer something that can run on its own, and the 'puter for the glitz and data logging stuff.
digitalliquid
Active Member
https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/279068-twitter-your-garden.html this might help some people
Appreciate the advice. I added a soldering gun to my Xmas listTo learn more? I dunno. All I did was buy some parts, some books, soldering iron and fire extinguisher, and went to town
The sensor connector means *nothing* and even less from these proprietary devices companies.
Analog is a varying (or signal) voltage. (think temp)
Digital is either on or off. (think light)
Inquire with them.
I'd prefer something that can run on its own, and the 'puter for the glitz and data logging stuff.
and sent the company some questions as you suggested. I'm a bit of a tech-hobbyist, so I like the idea of tying it into the computer. The device will run by itself on the network (doesn't need a computer running software to monitor/alert), but you do need to log onto it to configure as there are no buttons/displays on it.Thx again
headbandrocker
Well-Known Member
Greetings,
have you guys seen the "vera"home controller? Its listed at www.micasaverde.com seems reasonably priced but you guys would know better-i am all ears,cheers
have you guys seen the "vera"home controller? Its listed at www.micasaverde.com seems reasonably priced but you guys would know better-i am all ears,cheers
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
Z-Waze is a cool tech. But that freq is rather cluttered. I'd also prefer a secondary protocol like x10 or Insteon. Opens up more device choices.
Yes you would have to add relays because the current rating is only 1A for the DO's. You can find cheap relays that handle 6A for like $15 each. Or you can find 4 pole 10A relays for like $25. You can get them in Sink or Source but Sourcing is more common of course. Most systems have a grounded negative.
I work with these things all day at work. I'm more electrical thinking and can't program or do communications very well. Although I can do some ladder logic if need be. The Horner is a very good product, since we use them at work in situations others would use GE or AB. Although getting a AB or even a GE would be triple the price.
I would suggest to keep finding out more about them. You can access them from anywhere in world. We have programmed ones in Africa from right here in Canada. We even used the wireless add on and got text messages from Mexico. All you need is the Ethernet option and sky's the limit.
Well if your only using this thing for a grow room running a couple wires isn't too bad. You could have all the relays beside the main power and have all the signal wires run somewhere else. Its not like they need to be a low gauge or anything.
Don't get me wrong I think anything that is cheap and works well will do the job. I might be biased because I do work with this product. Not many other products give you everything this does for the low price tag.
reggaerican
Well-Known Member
theres ome one the market right now called the harvest master does all that and more pimp piece of equiptment only thing is the price. by the time u buy the controllers and all the relays to plug all your gear in damm thing is couple grand. nnnna im gonna stay in my cave with my primative ways
Fahrphrompuken
New Member
I agree, for me PLCs are the most flexible, and reliable way to go. Certainly not the cheapest for sure. I am just finishing the controls for an automated home brewing system, and starting on an automated home grow setup.
This is what the the brewing controls look like although it has changed a little since this video. The grow system will be somewhat similar and also use the Unitronics PLC hardware. The grow system will focus more on historical trends and graphing of climate variables.
This is what the the brewing controls look like although it has changed a little since this video. The grow system will be somewhat similar and also use the Unitronics PLC hardware. The grow system will focus more on historical trends and graphing of climate variables.