Growtronix Automation - You got problems, I probably have answers

Alright guys
I switched over to a growtronix computer automated system and after about two months of arm wrestling, RF shielding, re-installing and tuning I've got the system stable and fully functional.

I know alot of people have issue getting this system setup and I think I've had every possible issue popup at some point so I'm hear if anyone has questions or issues with it.

It's not for everyone but in the right hands the potential is out of this world.
No Im not a company shill, althogh if they send me some free modules I wouldnt complain...and of course I'd tell everyone.

You got issue, maybe I got answers

Sup randomseed,

On Monday I am thinking about ordering this system, it's on sale currently and the offer ends on Monday, anyway, I have spent so much money on products that promises the world but it turns out to be sh*t.

In your honest opinion should I purchase this unit? I don't want to worry about this thing malfunctioning or not working the way it's supposed to. I am pretty computer literate so no worries there. How has this system been treating you?

Please let me know, I would appreciate your honest opinion if I should make this purchase or go with something else.

Thanks,
Learning247

Hopefully I will hear from randomseed before 11:59pm today cause that sale ends today.

Learning247 said:

Sup randomseed,

On Monday I am thinking about ordering this system, it's on sale currently and the offer ends on Monday, anyway, I have spent so much money on products that promises the world but it turns out to be sh*t.

In your honest opinion should I purchase this unit? I don't want to worry about this thing malfunctioning or not working the way it's supposed to. I am pretty computer literate so no worries there. How has this system been treating you?

Please let me know, I would appreciate your honest opinion if I should make this purchase or go with something else.

Thanks,
Learning247

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The sale seems to be perpetual. When I ordered the sale date on the site was passed and I email them to ask about it and they just moved the date back on the web. Just call and Im sure they will honor the sale price.

Almost all my initial issues where due to interference created by my digital ballasts, using shielded Cat5 cables solved the issues I was having but I've since created cages around my ballasts to help shield interference as well. Using the better cables alone solved my issues, the cages were more for piece of mind.

Alot of its value to you are related to how much control do you want (more control with a system like this then stand alone controllers), how many rooms you control (more rooms = more value from this system) and how important things like email/txt messages and remote control are to you.
For what you CAN do with it its actually priced pretty cheap compared to the more massive super pro greenhouse control systems, but compared to a single all in one controller in a smaller setup its a high cost solution.

If you have complex requirements, want tons of control, have multiple spaces to control, want auto nutrient mixing or just love to geek out then I would go with growtronix, if you just want reliable 24/7 control with no muss no fuss no fancy then a normal controller is probably a better choice.

It took a solid two weeks of running before I felt like I could trust the system but since I got rid of the RF problems its been spot on 24/7

Thanks for your reply randomseed, I wanted to actually control both the veg room and flowering room with this one unit, that is why I like this unit, and you haven't had any issues ever since you fixed your RF issues so I guess I will give it a shot.

Thanks again,
Learning247

Learning247 said:

Thanks for your reply randomseed, I wanted to actually control both the veg room and flowering room with this one unit, that is why I like this unit, and you haven't had any issues ever since you fixed your RF issues so I guess I will give it a shot.

Thanks again,
Learning247

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Since then its been 100%.
it does start to really shine when you've got multiple rooms going, I just expanded the system into my mother and main veg areas a few weeks ago. Looking at all the rooms in one shot is really nice.

I just ordered the system, hopefully this will work out well. Thanks again randomseed.

Learning247

Right on you guys, not sure how i stumbled on the growtronix site but I've put a lot of research into it and it really looks to be the system I been looking for. Its like the X-10 system for growers...lol....I read that theres been issues with connectors not being water tight and controls going bad fron the enviroment, but that was a post from 2008 and my guess is thats all been fixed....hows the computer program? i read if you have windows update it will jack everything up with everything shutting off, can't you just turn off automatic updates on your computer? IWould love to hear which devices u guys running, I'm eyeballin the co2 base system with the ph/tds/temp sensor, extra plug in unit and Id love to learn about the nutrient topper.....does it sit in a seperate nute res and top off when needed cause im sure it dont really mix nutes, or not mine cause i got to many different bottle....any info or recomondations would be much appreciated...thx guys!

Looks pretty damn sweet - probably not ideal for every system though. The ph/tds sensor is damn expensive.

BrownGuy420 said:

Right on you guys, not sure how i stumbled on the growtronix site but I've put a lot of research into it and it really looks to be the system I been looking for. Its like the X-10 system for growers...lol....I read that theres been issues with connectors not being water tight and controls going bad fron the enviroment, but that was a post from 2008 and my guess is thats all been fixed....hows the computer program? i read if you have windows update it will jack everything up with everything shutting off, can't you just turn off automatic updates on your computer? IWould love to hear which devices u guys running, I'm eyeballin the co2 base system with the ph/tds/temp sensor, extra plug in unit and Id love to learn about the nutrient topper.....does it sit in a seperate nute res and top off when needed cause im sure it dont really mix nutes, or not mine cause i got to many different bottle....any info or recomondations would be much appreciated...thx guys!

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Your pretty much on point with the x-10 comparison.
The program is not bad, managing things is pretty easy and making policies is pretty natural. The data graphing has alot of potential but needs work.
Yes, shut off auto updates, if the computer goes down the plugs keep their current state but Ive never had the computer come back on and reconnect to the sensor network without restarting the network module which does shut down all the plugs

I dont use the nutrient pumps or any of that stuff but thats exactly what its for, you would put a pump into each bottle you use and set the rules as to when and how to mix them into an output res. Im sure it would be uber complicated just because you would have to do the math on the pump rates (ml per min type stuff) and set complicated rules based on ecc and ph as to when to add what and for how long....you absolutly could do it however.

Mine is a question to OP about your purchase. What made decide to go with something that costed you extra when you can buy an XGC from CAP with everything for cheaper than 3 modules?

hoagtech said:

Mine is a question to OP about your purchase. What made decide to go with something that costed you extra when you can buy an XGC from CAP with everything for cheaper than 3 modules?

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Because I have a XGC that
A) hum controller broke on - Cap wont respond to inquries to get fixed.
B) I got three rooms, 1 controller cant handle that
C) Graphing, I like to visualize data and see what changed are having what effect over time
D) I can do stuff like map out how outside temp changes effect the indoor enviroment and build rules around that data to optimize energy usage.
E) I can actually view my energy usage in real time
F) complex interelated rules
G) time based rule changes (IE allow parameter differences by date/time whatever)
H) I get freaking text messages when I need to do stuff
I) I can check my garden from work
and on and on and on and on and on.

Boy could I use your help.

I am trying to get a Growtronix system up and running and have a bunch of problems. Are you still available to have this discussion and help me? I really need to tell you what I am experiencing and see if you agree on the path to troubleshoot this thing. Growtronix has been polite with their IM help but when they asked me to count the 8 conductors in the CAT5e cable connector, I realized we were going nowhere. Thanks in advance.

Having lots of problems with Growtronix setup. Not software but hardware.

randomseed said:

Alright guys
I switched over to a growtronix computer automated system and after about two months of arm wrestling, RF shielding, re-installing and tuning I've got the system stable and fully functional.

I know alot of people have issue getting this system setup and I think I've had every possible issue popup at some point so I'm hear if anyone has questions or issues with it.

It's not for everyone but in the right hands the potential is out of this world.
No Im not a company shill, althogh if they send me some free modules I wouldnt complain...and of course I'd tell everyone.

You got issue, maybe I got answers

Click to expand...

Just curious how much you guys were able to get this system for??? Their website suggests prices over $700? I'm developing a similar project that uses cheaper parts (https://www.rollitup.org/grow-room-design-setup/520965-arduino-controlled-grow-pc-program.html) and has the same functionality and am just curious as to compare prices.

hey randomseed good work manare they still in bis ?are there sensors OK now

Is this thread still open ? I've got a GT system. I've got hardware problems. The system recognizes and communicates with all outlets but only one of the 3 sensors. when trying to add either c02 or temp sensor the system says hardware could not be authenticated. then asks to dl a hardware file but the file server isn't avalible. Also now that Ive purchased the system, the growtronix website is down WTF.