Inkbird Environment Control Automation - VPD Made Easy!

[superfruit]

16 minutes ago, zen-ken said:

I've just got more experience of mistakes is all

 

Yeah this exactly, I've always thought the best way to learn something is to learn from a combination of others and your own mistakes. Some good advice I was given when becoming a new parent, was to accept the advice from others, account for it in your own decision making and then learn from whatever decision you ultimately come up with. Don't just copy-cat - there are too many variables.

 

For me, using a hps makes sticking to the Pulse charts a little difficult due to the difference in leaf temps, and copying @NezA Inkbird settings would be incorrect, so instead I'm going to:

• let the HPS and Inkbird (oil rad) drive a lower temperature of around 22-23-24c (undecided) which should give me a leaf temp a few C higher.
• let the Inkbird during veg keep RH up nice and high around 63%, dropping it during flower.
• RootIt heat matt/thermostat will keep roots to 24c through the entire grow.

My last (and first) grow produced some nice smoke and a good yield, but I was definitely cooking the plant with my temps. I was figuring my 400w HPS was doing a great job keeping everything at around 25-26c but now I've read up about LST (not the training - leaf surface temperature) I realise they would have been anywhere from 30c to 34c at times, explaining why some looked a bit on the burnt side and produced some airy buds in places.

 

I went straight to finals (auto), 24/0 lighting too. This time I'm switching things around as per the above bullet points, 20/4 lighting and will be potting up to final (once).

 

Whatever the outcome is, will be knowledge gained for the next grow. 

 

p.s. if if none of this work, probably end up buying some DIYLED gear and sticking to the charts  

Edited January 21, 2021 by superfruit
ps

[NezA]

Aye @superfruit the settings aren't necessarily there to be copied per se just a guide about how to create them. As I explained in the early posts this was based on an assumed leaf temp offset.

 

It's important people take the time to understand the relationship between all the different readings as any variance between my grow space and yours will impact what settings you need to apply for optimal VPD

[superfruit]

Just now, NezA said:

Aye @superfruit the settings aren't necessarily there to be copied per se just a guide about how to create them. As I explained in the early posts this was based on an assumed leaf temp offset.

 

It's important people take the time to understand the relationship between all the different readings as any variance between my grow space and yours will impact what settings you need to apply for optimal VPD

 

For sure! It's amazing how much those charts can change by even 1C leaf temp offset. It's definitely a science and realistically device accuracy alone is going to throw most of us off-track a little. Our cheap inkbirds vs laboratory grade equipment n all haha

Edited January 21, 2021 by superfruit

[zen-ken]

26 minutes ago, NezA said:

I followed the VPD chart all the way to harvest and this Disco Biscuit has some pretty solid buds absolutely no rot whatsoever. But this is my first run following the chart perhaps I was lucky. We'll see if it was a fluke or not as time goes on. I'm planning to continue following the charts from here on out so time will tell.

 

I've never had rot before so if I get even 1 instance that'll be a deal breaker for me and I'll switch to the method suggested by @zen-ken but so far so good.

 

I think it's the balance of humidity and temp that's the key as to why a lot of people don't encounter rot when following VPD. If you had say 60% humidity and 22c temps then there's not enough pressure on the plant to transpire causing the air around the plant to become stagnant. My theory is if stomata are kept constantly open and constantly exchanging gases then the air can't stagnate and the microclimate around leaves and buds is constantly changing through the plants own metabolic processes. Just a hunch based on my own experience and the learning that I've done over the last year or so.

I always aim to get it around 50 going to 40 for the very last weeks.....but you make some very compelling points brother.

I may need to invest in a better humidifier and give it a go.

Edited January 21, 2021 by zen-ken

[zen-ken]

[superfruit]

On 20/01/2021 at 3:14 PM, mikeydoughnut said:

My IR thermometer came yesterday and wasn’t functional. Spend as much as you can on one. Buy cheap. Buy twice is my usual rule. I broke my own rule and now have to wait while tomorrow for a decent one to arrive

 

How's the new IR Thermometer mate? Can you recommend it?

[superfruit]

@mikeydoughnut thanks mate good food for thought 

[superfruit]

Not sure how many of us in this thread are using HPS, I think mostly LED but I posted a related question in the Environment subforum which may be of interest:

 

Another humidity question/concern due to radiant heat from HPS - Environment - UK420

[FarmerPalmersNT]

Awesome post this. Have both those and didn't even think about that capability. Nice one 

[Twiftking]

I have created my rules through automation as described but I'm not convinced that the two controllers are running the rules. They both seem to just be trying to work to their setpoint.

Is there a way that you set them to run automation? The rules are all enabled so i'm stumped.

Edited February 27, 2021 by Twiftking

[Twiftking]

On 27/02/2021 at 7:50 PM, Twiftking said:

I have created my rules through automation as described but I'm not convinced that the two controllers are running the rules. They both seem to just be trying to work to their setpoint.

Is there a way that you set them to run automation? The rules are all enabled so i'm stumped.

 

It transpires that I have a faulty IHC-200 unit. Inkbird aftersales have been wonderful to deal with and are sending a new humidity sensor. Hopefully once this item has been replaced the unit will work perfectly. I have been impressed with the IHC-308 which has been managing my temperatures and it rarely budges from 24 Celcius.

[NezA]

Heya @Twiftking mate. If you've set the rules up as described they should work and keep everything in balance. Sounds like you're getting everything sorted now feel free to @ me if you have any bother I'll see if I can help.

 

I've been meaning to update this thread for a while so thanks for bumping it hopefully I'll get some time to make a post this weekend.

[Slippy One]

19 minutes ago, Twiftking said:

 

It transpires that I have a faulty IHC-200 unit. Inkbird aftersales have been wonderful to deal with and are sending a new humidity sensor. Hopefully once this item has been replaced the unit will work perfectly. I have been impressed with the IHC-308 which has been managing my temperatures and it rarely budges from 24 Celcius.

I found the 2 zone programming a total headache, but they're great for a constant temp, which is easier to program

 

[pepe16]

On 10/17/2020 at 8:45 PM, sweettooth said:

im constantly tweaking things and agree that growing is a true science as well as an art, not just about throwing a light in and sitting back. I will certainly check out VPD and see if I can incorporate it into my environment.

nailed  there  .  A whole new area, on my curriculum for later.  I thought i'd ordered an inkibird (non wifi) but accidentally got the stc1000 pro.  It pops up on the global corporate superpower spamazon.  It has a stack of parameters i've not looked at, as im in process of switching out thermostat controlled extract (note, this type of kit does Not work with thermo inclusive fans) for an infinity 6.  I can connect that to heaters and extract.  At moment its set for controlling heating.   Thank you for your informative, well researched post.  I'll be following you for sure, as we need more people willing to go into the detail like @Poisonata .   Please keep posting such informative content.   Id vote for you continuing to update as your experience progresses.   You sure know what you're talking about @NezA  Just clicked follow on your profile page.  Mucho grassyass Amigo  

Edited March 5, 2021 by pepe16

[DrGreenThumb24]

I saw some of the horror pics on Amazon of melting plug sockets etc. What’s everyone’s experiences with these? All good?

 

I know there will always be some issues and I’m also guessing they probably overloaded the unit, but as I grow in the shed so really need the piece of mind!!