Hi all,
After visiting the Hemp-Fair on friday there seems to be very little digital technology about to help the indoor grower, something that needs rectifying i think.
I have an interest in a company that builds stand-alone control systems for small buisness projects. In short i have access to the skills/equipment needed to build one. This is where i need all your help please, obviously the more sensors used the more expensive the unit will be to manufacture. I will happily give a protortype to a board elected medi-weed grower for testing and give a substantial discount off the price of the finished unit to ANY recognised medi-weed growers. But firstly i have to have it designed and built, The unit can be as simple or as complex as nessecary so i need to know what features you would deem important and what you would suggest the unit should retail for? It will have a digital scrolling menu and be designed/built in england to professional standards.things like C02 can be monitered and adjusted by a sensor(not cheap) or the fans can be shut off and the co2 dosed on a time/room size basis. Would you like to see c02 dosing equipment included with the product or just have thje facility there if needed. I also noted that some of the plastic growboxes at the show had a built in 'explosive' fire exthinguisher(powder type), if co2 enrichment is used in a confined space then the co2 system could be rigged as an exthinguisher so the result would be fire out and crop not ruined!!(unlike the powder one). Your opinions would be appreciated on this matter and a control system could make life sooooo much easier for our medi weed growers, obviously full automation would be very expensive to achieve but things like ph and ec monitors could possibly be added in a "datalogger" fashion then recalled from a control screen(i have a bad spine and bending down messing around with ph meters hurts) hopefully you can spare 5-mins of your time for a reply that could result in better buds for everyone
thanks in advance peoples
the bhude
Full Version: Digital Hydro Controllers
QUOTE(bhudika @ Oct 4 2004, 08:15 AM)
Hi all,
After visiting the Hemp-Fair on friday there seems to be very little digital technology about to help the indoor grower, something that needs rectifying i think.
I have an interest in a company that builds stand-alone control systems for small buisness projects. In short i have access to the skills/equipment needed to build one. This is where i need all your help please, obviously the more sensors used the more expensive the unit will be to manufacture. I will happily give a protortype to a board elected medi-weed grower for testing and give a substantial discount off the price of the finished unit to ANY recognised medi-weed growers. But firstly i have to have it designed and built, The unit can be as simple or as complex as nessecary so i need to know what features you would deem important and what you would suggest the unit should retail for? It will have a digital scrolling menu and be designed/built in england to professional standards.things like C02 can be monitered and adjusted by a sensor(not cheap) or the fans can be shut off and the co2 dosed on a time/room size basis. Would you like to see c02 dosing equipment included with the product or just have thje facility there if needed. I also noted that some of the plastic growboxes at the show had a built in 'explosive' fire exthinguisher(powder type), if co2 enrichment is used in a confined space then the co2 system could be rigged as an exthinguisher so the result would be fire out and crop not ruined!!(unlike the powder one). Your opinions would be appreciated on this matter and a control system could make life sooooo much easier for our medi weed growers, obviously full automation would be very expensive to achieve but things like ph and ec monitors could possibly be added in a "datalogger" fashion then recalled from a control screen(i have a bad spine and bending down messing around with ph meters hurts) hopefully you can spare 5-mins of your time for a reply that could result in better buds for everyone
thanks in advance peoples
the bhude
[right][snapback]241919[/snapback][/right]
After visiting the Hemp-Fair on friday there seems to be very little digital technology about to help the indoor grower, something that needs rectifying i think.
I have an interest in a company that builds stand-alone control systems for small buisness projects. In short i have access to the skills/equipment needed to build one. This is where i need all your help please, obviously the more sensors used the more expensive the unit will be to manufacture. I will happily give a protortype to a board elected medi-weed grower for testing and give a substantial discount off the price of the finished unit to ANY recognised medi-weed growers. But firstly i have to have it designed and built, The unit can be as simple or as complex as nessecary so i need to know what features you would deem important and what you would suggest the unit should retail for? It will have a digital scrolling menu and be designed/built in england to professional standards.things like C02 can be monitered and adjusted by a sensor(not cheap) or the fans can be shut off and the co2 dosed on a time/room size basis. Would you like to see c02 dosing equipment included with the product or just have thje facility there if needed. I also noted that some of the plastic growboxes at the show had a built in 'explosive' fire exthinguisher(powder type), if co2 enrichment is used in a confined space then the co2 system could be rigged as an exthinguisher so the result would be fire out and crop not ruined!!(unlike the powder one). Your opinions would be appreciated on this matter and a control system could make life sooooo much easier for our medi weed growers, obviously full automation would be very expensive to achieve but things like ph and ec monitors could possibly be added in a "datalogger" fashion then recalled from a control screen(i have a bad spine and bending down messing around with ph meters hurts) hopefully you can spare 5-mins of your time for a reply that could result in better buds for everyone
thanks in advance peoples
the bhude
[right][snapback]241919[/snapback][/right]
Hello Bhudika,
iv'e read what you said but dont understand what you are trying to achieve?
At present their are a number of digital devices on the market, some for nutrient and ph managment, some for ozone managment, even co2 and exhaust systems can be digitalised.
All you need to do is buy these products together to create a digital grow world.
Are you talking about building a machine that grows Cannabis ?
i can just about understand what your trying to do but in my opinion the hands on approach is good for me.i myself like to be in contact with my girls and all this digital stuff takes that away.for those who want to grow but dont want a deal of contact this is maybe the way to go.just my opinion
Hi Stealth,
i have seen the devices available but they all work independantly of each other and dont 'communicate', this means that you have to buy several devices which conflict with each other. on device may be trying to run a extract for humidity/heat whilst the co2 controller wants them all off for 15mins to allow effective dosing, im trying to achieve the best of all these options in one unit and include some safety systems, one of my fans failed the other day and toasted the top of my plant, it would have been better if a safety either booted up another fan or killed the light rather than risking my crop. A standalone unit that would dose co2, adjust humidity levels, adjust heat for the room, time lights, control pumps and nutrient heaters, monitor the ec/ph and warn if outside parameters are exceeded(a dosing system would be expensive) a countdown device that would remind stoned fcuks like me how long they have been in the flowering cycle(i really cant remember) built in relay for light timer etc. etc.
i have seen the devices available but they all work independantly of each other and dont 'communicate', this means that you have to buy several devices which conflict with each other. on device may be trying to run a extract for humidity/heat whilst the co2 controller wants them all off for 15mins to allow effective dosing, im trying to achieve the best of all these options in one unit and include some safety systems, one of my fans failed the other day and toasted the top of my plant, it would have been better if a safety either booted up another fan or killed the light rather than risking my crop. A standalone unit that would dose co2, adjust humidity levels, adjust heat for the room, time lights, control pumps and nutrient heaters, monitor the ec/ph and warn if outside parameters are exceeded(a dosing system would be expensive) a countdown device that would remind stoned fcuks like me how long they have been in the flowering cycle(i really cant remember) built in relay for light timer etc. etc.
how about a simple usb interface that lets a basic PC do the work? that would be much cheaper (only cost is the sensors) and much more customisable. Could even be modular to let people buy the functionality they need.
I think this is sort of what your looking for, might help anyway. 
PicoTech
There's another company that do something similar, with solenoids to control things aswell as monitor them, can't remember the company tho.
VRG
PicoTech
There's another company that do something similar, with solenoids to control things aswell as monitor them, can't remember the company tho.
VRG
sorry for the delay in answering, couldnt get onto this section of the board for a few days, i did consider the usb idea but i find pc's tend to crash a lot(mine does anyway) and some people may find the set-up difficult, in mine i would want a seperate pc to control the crops. The link is for a monitoring device, i could build and sell a controller for a much lower amount than the cost of a pc which could control 2 light cycles and also an air pump with fan control for humidity/heat
There are alot of digital enviroment controllers that will control mutiple fans and c02 they start about £150(excluding co2 like this one).
If the aim is automation, a large res (12l per sq ft of canopy at peak flowering is a good guide) and water auto top up will reduce maintenance to < once a week.
As for automatic nute/ph management, imo it will always be expensive because the dosing pumps are hard to find/expensive.
this/this or this or even this might interest you plus theres at least one other project on overgrow i couldn't find.
If the aim is automation, a large res (12l per sq ft of canopy at peak flowering is a good guide) and water auto top up will reduce maintenance to < once a week.
As for automatic nute/ph management, imo it will always be expensive because the dosing pumps are hard to find/expensive.
this/this or this or even this might interest you plus theres at least one other project on overgrow i couldn't find.
thanks for the links the standalone-unit fan controller is the type of thing but with 12/12 or6/18 setup controlling lighting, heat/humidity/co2/airpumps, automated air changes etc, this would negate the use for another dedicated pc, also a co2 exthinguisher built in (which wouldnt ruin your crops), for the feed i use a big resivoir and smart-valves so i only have to check the ph/ec evert few weeks or so, none of the stand alone units i have seen have the ability to "communicate" with each other, toying with the idea of a remote controll kill switch(car alarm fob) also for unexpected visitors. Once the initial r&d is done i would expect the units to be very cheap to manufacture, probes would be the costly part, i can control gas volume by flow without using a regulator(they all seem to be so expensive) or use a timed output to dose from any equipment when the fans are off, i've begun the r&d already and hope to have a prototype within the next month, though ANY comments on what people would require of this unit would be appreciated, there was a company at the hemp fair called igrow.nl who market plastic modular growrooms, these seem ideal and and a large one is only about £200(the shed that is)in any major diy store, the aim is also to build one of these to use for testing and attempt to insulate one well enough to be used outdoors, im estimating that in the 4 section shed about 15 plants, somebody i know has used one of theese succesfully and without c02 harvests about 1.5k per quarter. Im surprised that with the amount of now self sufficient growers in this country(yipeeee) more people dont appear to be investing in new products for the market
i think i waffle on a bit when its early in the morning
The vostermans fan controller is designed for green houses and they have sensors etc that give out a variable signal 0-10v or visa versa this is a standard for greenhouse sensors i think so it might be something to look into.
ill look into that thanks, well ive got the prototype functions written down and sent them off to be made into a unit, need my maths head now to work out the co2 dosings and flow rates 
, maybe ill have another and do it tomorrow The plastic unit/shed design i was thinking of is veiwable at getgrowin.co.uk and is the imported one from holland with the inbuilt explosive exthinguisher, the plastic shed they use can be got double the size shown from homebase for about £200!! , they have added an extractor, exthinguisher and vent fan and want about £1500!!
methinks i can build an automated one for a lot-lot less
, maybe ill have another and do it tomorrow The plastic unit/shed design i was thinking of is veiwable at getgrowin.co.uk and is the imported one from holland with the inbuilt explosive exthinguisher, the plastic shed they use can be got double the size shown from homebase for about £200!! , they have added an extractor, exthinguisher and vent fan and want about £1500!!methinks i can build an automated one for a lot-lot less
if you can knock one of these up, gimmie a shout and i`ll be yer 1st customer 
kk blue peter badge on wheres ma sticky tape one comming up =)
=)
cool stuf, think ill need some more yoghurt pots and washing up liquid bottles before i start that one! Have mailed them for prices and more spec, the unit is similar to what i have in mind but without the built in tracking system(gps/sms)
It will include all relays and switch gear-i dont know of anybody who has reduced the flowering period to 10 days though- Anybody got any idea how much they are?
It will include all relays and switch gear-i dont know of anybody who has reduced the flowering period to 10 days though- Anybody got any idea how much they are?
There are already a couple of controllers on the market that do the sort of thing you want.
The top end of the market is something called a Shiva controller - this costs about a grand.
Towards the more sensible end, there is a controller called the Seiobo which controls the C02 in the room, operates fans, heaters, dehumidifiers ect, to keep the environment within the parameters that were programmed in. They go for just under 300 I think.
There are also auto dosing controllers on the market for making up nutrients - personally though I don't like the idea of those much cos if it goes wrong, then its bye bye crop
The top end of the market is something called a Shiva controller - this costs about a grand.
Towards the more sensible end, there is a controller called the Seiobo which controls the C02 in the room, operates fans, heaters, dehumidifiers ect, to keep the environment within the parameters that were programmed in. They go for just under 300 I think.
There are also auto dosing controllers on the market for making up nutrients - personally though I don't like the idea of those much cos if it goes wrong, then its bye bye crop
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