Automation

[rhizome]

I'd grab seperate sensors- Grainger or Aquatic Ecosystems will have them raw. Yer gonna need the meters you have to calibrate the sensors you're installing.

[oldsanclem]

In the world of telemetry its always better to have each input on own lines.
Lm32 works great for temp inputs, wall tranformers for the voltage inputs
I use 3 v for resivore full, 6 v for pump on , 9 v for buckets full. If you keep the negitive common to all works fine. Temps grow room, grow room exust, outside temp, clone room temp.
The ph and co2 ppm are millivolt output , its always best to use twisted pair. I use a 39 wire cable as it allows lots of outputs for relays and inputs for temps/ppm/ph/co2 ppm. The one thing I do not like is automatic ph and ppm , any small screw up and dead plants. Unless you spend $$$$ on a dosing systems. Note lm32 is set for a 74 deg of +- .1 % so it will not be off far at 95 d.f.
Have fun OHMS OHMS I feel the power

[canuck grower]

You could always just use a stable system. BSD, *some* Linux distros, even $random_kernel and ulibc + busybox or some such. I've wanted to do something like this, but I need a bigger setup first.

[Opie Yutts]

survalence on the cops. I love it.

[oldsanclem]

I would like to note that the relayrunner system has been in use in lots of systems. Even non growing systems. 1 failure in 57,000 control sequences, and that would not have happened, computer battery died at the same time a power went out. Now you can controo up to 256 relays witn 6 on/off a day. I have only been able to use 8 controls a day. This system works and if fail safe, user friendly, and cheap, and old window system are real cheap, bought one for 10 buck. I blew 3 bucks for a new computer battery. Its been a little over a year now , it keep on growing.

[oldsanclem]

Ladder logic is one way to automate and they come up on ebay. Must admit ladder logic is a hell of a lot harder than relayrunner program. But you can use as a stand alone controler near the growing room/s
I must admit I wish there was a just a advanced sectioin. Except for dna things not much has changed in pot growing in the last 10 years. THAT iffen people read, personaly I would love to read stuff newer than 1965
ferts same
pph same
ph same
lighting 50 year old ballast same , didigital no worth the money.
bulbs just change them often
Cows, horses, chicken still shit/dook
H20 no change, if you can drink it use it
Global warming was predicted 80,000 years ago
Yes the law has changed , even cops smoke, and a few judges smoke
Waiting for the new ice age, sell airconditioners before the cool off.

[Rusty Trichome]

Many different types of controllers for many different systems. I imagine you could also use some of the ones listed at the link below. Designed for aquariums, but can monitor temp, ph, pumps...
Aquarium Controllers & Monitors for pH, mV (ORP) and Temperature

Personally, I still use regular, cheap timers. They work, (usually) -plus- my grow and my computer are barely at the same address, lol.

edit: oldsanclem...is this still your same mood as in the 60's?, lol

[oldsanclem]

Was looking for relay cards on Ebay for automation
Well this one starts at 99 cents. It does all kinds of things , but you only need one for relay runner the relay part. I have seen just relay cards go for around 10 bucks.
Note there is many system out there , but simple work best. IMM in my mind (small) Container large but it holds up my ears.
Changing sequences is just clicks away, at least on earth.

[zero0ne]

oldsanclem,

I remember reading a post where you had a link to your website? (ducky something?)

I was wondering if I could get that link again, you had an awesome section for resources etc.

Thanks!

I'd also like to pick your brain in the future about automation (but right now I just dont have the questions ha, still reading up)

[fireburner23]

I was browsing looking for cheaper alternatives to the Intellidose and Bluelab systems and I am glad I came across your post.

Although, I have a question, can you still use this software (is it windows only, linux?)? Does RelayRunner work with PH/EC Bnc sensors that I would hook up? I couldn't really find the answer to my questions.