Automation

Discussion in 'Grow Room Design/Setup' started by Markc05, Sep 20, 2014.

  1. Good evening all
     
    It's Friday I'm going for some supplies this weekend. I am starting an indoor grow, going to be using a 1000W hps. I've done outdoor a bunch of times, this is sort of a new one for me.
     
    I have worked with a bunch of automation hardware/software for greenhouses such as Priva(my favorite). I program custom automation for a lot of large scale industrial/commercial machinery. I have already written a partial code, most for temp, hum and co2 control. This is only operating with actuators on the inlet/outlet and relay for the fan. The light is easy for time based scheduling so I am not concerned with this at all. Mainly, I need some numbers to work with, my temp can be controlled to within 1deg C up or down, and hum is within 5%rh up or down. CO2 is set at 1000ppm right now. I know the calculated flow for exhaust on a negative pressure system, will be 568cfm- which I will round up to be safe. 
    This, as of right now is programmed into a Johnson Controls UNT1190, which gives me a lot of inputs, and binary or analogue outputs if needed. 
     
    As a side note, I can network the system to be available on VPN through my computer. So I can adjust setpoints as needed. 
    Did I miss anything? This is my fall/winter project instead of being lethargic for no reason. 

     
  2. Damn dude, I eventually want to build something very similar just on a slightly smaller scale with my stealth cabs. Looks like you are thinking about pretty much everything. To add just a bit more, I would add one or two fans inside the grow space to turn on when co2 is off, if the negative pressure isn't like a hurricane already of course. I would also highly suggest hooking up some sort of device that would allow you to control the PPM and pH each couple plants receive if you want to grow hydroponically. I just think it would be badass, perhaps a little overkill, but a tool like that would be so invaluable in the grow room to dial it completely in, the Walter White of Marijuana perhaps. Also developing a smart phone app that could monitor/ control it could come in handy when you are away for prolonged periods

    Just food for thought. If you are going all put might as well go ALL OUT :bongin:

    Keep us updated on how you set this up

    Sent from my Spaceship using the GrassCity App.
     
  3. Hi there, 
     
    Aside from nutrient changes, and cloning/moving plants, my grow is completely automated including air conditioning, heat, humidity, co2, auto feeding, lights, etc.    Mine also recycles condensate from the AC/dehum. into my reservoirs.  I'm using some commercial controllers which have been OKAY so far, but haven't quite been up to par with what I expect.   Because of that, I've begun building my own controller system that I am considering building for commercial production (of the controller) which can be fully controlled and monitored via web/phone app.  Right now, it consists of a Raspberry Pi and several microcontrollers (Arduino like devices)  It's definitely a fun problem to solve!  
     
    I'm not familiar with the controller you're using, but I assume it's intended to operate 24v commercial grade devices/switch relays on and off and such?    If you can control it with a computer, then you could use something like TeamViewer to remote-control a local machine to your grow, from anywhere in the world. 
     
  4. #4 Halo-noob, Sep 24, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 24, 2014
    I have the equipment to something similar with a old control system with like 30+ inputs and multiple outputs in both analog and digital. Only problem is it not a plc so I have to think of interesting ways to make it fit with the existing software. Plus side is this controller has Ethernet, modbus, I/o net and echelon. It a rx400 from Emerson.

    The hardest part is getting ph meters and so forth to have a useable output voltage. But I think I have figured that part out. RESISTORS turn ma outputs into volt outputs.


    Sent from my iPad using Grasscity Forum
     
  5. @[member="Halo-noob"] If your controller doesn't support 4-20ma then you can add a 500 ohm resistor inline with the signal wire. Its simple math.
     
    @[member="Original Past"]  it is 24V functioning, it has onboard triac relays, but I am building a relay board so as to eliminate stress on the internals. Team viewer isn't necessary as I have set up a static network at home using an old wifi router, so I can VPN directly to the controller with any PC. The Pi idea sounds cool, but not my forte, if you need help with sequencing I can look over it.
     
    @[member="DazedAndStoned"] the ppm will be controlled using a reverse acting PID, also it is in the PLC sequence. I am using a digital constant to float the number within a range. 
     
    Anyways, I like the idea of adding in a pH sensor and controlling dif pres using vav systems. The dp will be set to 1 in wc, with it being adjustable, there will be 3 damper motors using a single 0-10v output, able to modulate in 0.1 v increments, the fans will be added to the relay board, the lights will be on relay, and the pumps will be as well. 
     
    Thanks for the ideas, I was about to flop my sequence into a Priva controller and just be done super fast, but this option of self programming is going to cost me under 200$, where the Priva controller is around 450$.  
     

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