ASMALLVOICE
Well-Known Member
Too Kewl. Many thanx for the reply.
Looking forward to seeing it in action.
Peace and Great Grows
Asmallvoice
Total Hydroponic Control (T.H.C.) - The build starts NOW!
- Thread starter Total.Hydroponic.Control
- Start date
Looking forward to seeing it in action.
Peace and Great Grows
Asmallvoice
GrowerGoneWild
Well-Known Member
Awesome thread... A real deal PLC, very professional.
Hot Diggity Sog
Well-Known Member
This is very interesting...Will be following.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
My op is ready/overdue for this kind of automation.
I'm very interested in what it would take for me to follow in your footsteps here.
Are the logic programs modular? Is it possible to add functions later without having to redo everything every time?
I need:
Res control; pH, nutrient strength, programmable ratios, automated dump and fill
Environmental control; temp, RH, CO², lighting strength and duration
HVAC control; switch chillers, using compressorless chiller when appropriate, overturns, venting, heat and cod management throughout the facility
Integrated controls; multiple rooms, day/night, power management scheduling, programs that fully automated a rooms progression from veg through the stages of bloom, coordinating environmental and nutrient functions into one master program to control a given room for its entire cycle.
Did I say overdue?
I'm very interested in what it would take for me to follow in your footsteps here.
Are the logic programs modular? Is it possible to add functions later without having to redo everything every time?
I need:
Res control; pH, nutrient strength, programmable ratios, automated dump and fill
Environmental control; temp, RH, CO², lighting strength and duration
HVAC control; switch chillers, using compressorless chiller when appropriate, overturns, venting, heat and cod management throughout the facility
Integrated controls; multiple rooms, day/night, power management scheduling, programs that fully automated a rooms progression from veg through the stages of bloom, coordinating environmental and nutrient functions into one master program to control a given room for its entire cycle.
Did I say overdue?
SnapsProvolone
Well-Known Member
Call my company. We can provide tailored solutions.
Total.Hydroponic.Control
Active Member
PLC's are inherently scale-able. Its why you'll find PLC's in every factory in the world. Following in my footsteps would be difficult, unless your familiar with electronics and have a fundamental understanding of electrical theory. The ruggedness and reliability of industrial PLC's and sensors is the real showcase. I'm designing the entire system around dependability. This project would be difficult to duplicate for the average grower. I didn't necessarily start playing with the concept as a tutorial. I have an intense interest in automation, electronics, and technology in general, this project was meant to showcase the real potential of technology, and how it will help growers in the present and future. It looks like others with similar knowledge offer their services here. I do not currently have any intentions of making this controller available for purchase, however this is not to say that in the future it would be out of the question. For now, my only goal is to explore the potential of a fully automated grow room, test delivery and control methods in order to determine best practices, and to move towards an ever more efficient use of resources.
For those with electronics backgrounds, much of what I've shown here can be easily duplicated. For those with little to no electronics/electrical background, I would always advise seeking out a solution more readily available.
GrowerGoneWild
Well-Known Member
Would you mind posting the ladder logic for the PLC?... I'm not an automation pro like you.. i just kinda tinker, it would be helpful.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Gotta love the smug 'it's too complicated for you, stoner' answer.
I'm ready for PLC level automation in my person and if you won't help, I'll find someone who will.
Our goals of maximizing efficiencies in indoor growing are similar. I'm sorry your attitude won't allow us to work together.
Last edited:
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
If I were an end user/operator only, I'd be on the phone right now. No reservations!
Since I'm the lead engineer on my own project and need to be able to fully integrate it, I need to learn how to use and program PLC technology myself instead of having to pay someone every time I want to change the temperature.
Those who help me with my goals have found their assistance to be well rewarded.
SnapsProvolone
Well-Known Member
We don't dump something in a clients lap without providing a complete overview of how it all works and continued phone support is included for a year. 
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Again, that's ideal from an end user standpoint. I need to know the dirty details. Maybe we could work something out. What brand PLC do you use?We don't dump something in a clients lap without providing a complete overview of how it all works and continued phone support is included for a year.
SnapsProvolone
Well-Known Member
Allen Bradley
SnapsProvolone
Well-Known Member
http://www.plcdev.com/allen_bradleys_plc_programming_handbook
Frankly I'm not the best teacher... or so I've been told.
Frankly I'm not the best teacher... or so I've been told.
Total.Hydroponic.Control
Active Member
Unless your grow room includes integrated motion Allen Bradley is an expensive platform.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Rollitup mobile app
Total.Hydroponic.Control
Active Member
I'm sorry if you feel that I'm coming off as smug. I'm simply stating facts. Whether or not you smoke pot, or drop acid has nothing to do with your capacity to understand PLC's. If the subject truly fascinates you, and you feel you have time to develop your skills, I would highly suggest starting out with a very basic plc, and starting with realistic goals for yourself. Automation direct provides the CLICK plc line. The CLICK plc is a great place to start, and the best part is that the programming software is free. Perhaps I should start a new project, with some easy examples for anyone who is interested enough to sit down and learn electronics.
Another great option, believe it or not, is allen bradley's new Micro 800 series controllers. These controllers are also configured with free software.
Again, I am sincerely sorry if my response made you feel I thought you were less than capable of undertaking such a task. Truly anyone with the desire, and drive could over time, and practice learn to use PLC's much in the same fashion I am here with this project.
Last edited:
GrowerGoneWild
Well-Known Member
Id be interested in learning, I've already done a few projects with an Allen Bradley Nano PLC in ladder logic.
I'll have to check out the CLICK plc line, thank you for pointing us in the right direction.
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
I like.
This area of the industry has already seen a lot of innovation and I suspect more is coming; I fully expect a PLC style system designed with indoor gardening as its primary application to hit the market within the next few years. Some good examples of integrated control systems are already becoming available, and their capabilities surely increase, just as the price falls over time.
This area of the industry has already seen a lot of innovation and I suspect more is coming; I fully expect a PLC style system designed with indoor gardening as its primary application to hit the market within the next few years. Some good examples of integrated control systems are already becoming available, and their capabilities surely increase, just as the price falls over time.
High Power
Active Member
SIEMENS Logo or Simatic are good choices for PLCs.