DIY co2 controller if you own thermostat.

i had this idea to build a co2 venting controller.
items needed:
-light detecting outlet - about 20$
-thermostat
you plug in your fans to the thermostat and have them go on and off.
you also have a light plugged into the thermostat one that goes on outside the grow room. a small light the smallest cfl you can find. plug your co2 into the light detecting outlet.
now you can kind of see how it would work. when the light goes off and fans too, the light detecting outlet would turn on the co2.
i don't know... its a nice idea if you own a thermostat and just want to add co2 to the room when your fans go off.

is this a stupid idea?
i think it is kinda cool. since i have a thermostat.
of course you could just use two timers and have the fans on one and the co2 on the other. but i like this idea cause it keeps temps in check and i don't have to spend another 100$ or so for a new controller.
some one say its kinda cool, i have low confidence and want to feel cool.

i just did CO2 and if you have a photo sensor you still need a monitor to measure CO2 ppm because if you have too much CO2 can hurt your plants. the thermostat really does nothing...you need a timer on your fan~off during light hours and on at dark...if you have your fan kick on just for temps then you are wasting your CO2:jointsmile:

you can still feel cool bro...you are right you need 2 timers...1 for your CO2 generator and 1 for your fan...i know you have an AC in your room that is where your thermostat comes in to keep your temps in check and not waste CO2 :smokin:

no i only have 1 timer and the thermostat. mabey you did not understand how it works. when the fans turn off the co2 turns on. then the fans start running and the co2 stops. the point of my setup is to NOT wast co2. my co2 tank is not set on some crazy setting that would release to much at one time. its a very slow release. last time i checked (the fans were off for about 20min) with those throw away testers the ppm was 1200 longest my fans have stayed off was around half an hour. i have the thermostat set to 85 with 7 degree diff. you need a shit load of co2 to kill the plants. one of my friends once closed his tent and relesed a 20lb tank of co2 all at once to kill bugs. his plants were fine. (this was also in an urban garden mag)
anyway get the setup?
most people i know that grow just use the test tube things. check there room every so often. they don't own a co2 monitor. (expensive) my friends are poor, they just have a controller that works just like the one i made. when fans are on co2 releases, fans off co2 stops. just like most controllers out there.
here is some names of controllers that works just like mine:
Green Air CT-DH-3 & 3P 300$
Sentinel EVC-1 199$
Titan conrols Kronus-1 299$ (this does humidity too)
Mine - 60$
the ones i listed have no co2 monitor just do what mine does at 4-6 times the price. (but nice if i had cash)
the controllers you are talking about are really expensive.
i will get one when i have cash.
mabey i did not explain to well how mine works. go look up the 4 i listed and read there explanation. my english does suck.
your going to have to try harder than that to kill my confidence.
:thumbsup:
thanks for trying and thanks for the reply!

o yeah and i do feel cool cause you are right you need one timer.

or is it one?
no one and a thermostat...
thats it.
:smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin:

actually the set up does not need a timer.
my thermostat has a day night setting and during the night my fans run all the time to keep humidity in check. so all you need is:
1. thermostat
2. fans (obviously)
3. extension cord going out of tent or grow room
4. light bulb
5. plug that turns on when light goes off (i don't know what its called) there 20$ people use it so there light outside turns on at night.
6. co2 system
7. light bulb

NO TIMER IS NEEDED

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stra8outtaWeed

you can still feel cool bro...you are right you need 2 timers...1 for your CO2 generator and 1 for your fan...i know you have an AC in your room that is where your thermostat comes in to keep your temps in check and not waste CO2 :smokin:

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i have no ac the thermostat is hooked to my fan. i have the TMP-DNe thermostat (bought it for 50$)
you can still feel cool bro...you are right I have 2 timers one for my hydro pump and another for my hps. :smokin:

2 differnet systems...i am thinking Co2 from a generator that runs from propane...so my unit go on and off where as with a tank you are doing a slow release so different method with same result:D

we are both cool! haha! :jointsmile:

i think the first time i just explained it really crappy. i have really bad englesh problems. I make up for it in math skills. :stoned:
peace

all you need is this

1-Co2 tank 30lb
1-low pressure tank regulator
1-1/4" parker solenoid valve 12v
1-photo switch from lowes
2-rechargable 9v batteries - wired in series-
1-cheap solar battery charger

when the lights are on it charges the 9v when the lights go out it turns the solenoid on and releases Co2

that will turn co2 on and off when fans go out. if so that is pritty cool way better than my idea. i will figure out how that works. thanks. or does that just turn co2 off when lights go off?

seems like that would be the same thing. you still need a little light to go on outside the grow room. cause i created a system that turns co2 on when fans are on and off when fans off.
(in a un teck little kid way)

thats just for my Co2 my fans run 24/7 an i got my Co2 bottle in the room because a warm Co2 bottle lasts longer an i forgot i have an expansion chamber for pb guns to help with that even more

right on cool.