Environmental / Lighting Controller(s)

[organicace]

So I want to warn against going with Growtronics, yes I too thought it sounded amazing and assuming the company was legitimate and relighable it may be however I took a chance when they were first coming out with their product and order a full deal kit and at the time they were made to order and the PH, TDS meter part was what was talking a long time and was the most expensive...Long story sort I waited months and inquired about it and they said it would be ready soon, waited and injured again using the same email with previous communications shown and was told it was sent out and delivered...trying to be professional I was trying to see what went wrong and where it might have been sent to on accident by asking for the shipping info and from what I gather they did not ship out or could not find the information indicating it was done. Either way I lost a lot of money as I could not use the system anymore without that part and was not willing to give more money. So I would suggest NOT TO BUY GROWTRONIX! the money is one thing but the stress and lost time and energy is what really got to me. I just bought a trolmaster bc a good friend running LEDs is running them and says great things about it and for the cost and what it offers, its price point is way under anything comparable that i can find. I can not attest to its performance yet but being able to do what it does and access and control fand get sensor warnings rom the internet is exactly what most grows need, and perfect for me. I have tried some DIY stuff and in the end I feel the money saved is early worth it, I usually do that kind of stuff for fun and to learn.

 

[2com]

Hey @organicace,

Thanks for sharing your experience, I really appreciate the detailed reply. I too read/heard some not so good things about growtronix after digging a little deeper. I heard similar situations like yours. Also, they've yet to respond to any email/communication.
I'm coming to the same sorta conclusion, it might be best to buy *something* at this point, not make something. And comparatively to the other options, the trolmaster does seem at least like a decent option...pricing is somewhat comparable to other styles of controllers.

Thanks again.

 

[bastarasta]

Forget about "high end grow controllers" (its pricly junk) . All we need is two sonoff's wifi devices, model POW (with power monitoring) for light cycle timer and power measure. And model TH16 (double relay) with plug for temperature nad humidity monitoring (i2c so You can attach more sensors like second temp/humi sensor, light meter, co2 sensor, ph/ec sensor and finally you can control your meanwell led driver (B version) output power with PWM (0-10V). All below 50 bucks (without co2 and ph/ec meters). Just need to flash Tasmota firmware (read this thred). I have that setup and it's work very well. If someone is interested how i did it let me know.

 

[2com]

Thank you for taking the time to replay @bastarasta.
I'd be interested in seeing how you did this.

 

[FrankenGrow]

Automation!

Timers on Lights are necessary. I'm not a big fan of cheap timers but they work. I've automated my house with Arduino's and Alexa. (Blinds, Lights, TV, Cameras, Garage Door, etc). I'm going to control my Grow Lights and Fan(s) with Sonoff's. The basic unit will cost $6.00 off ebay. Then...

www.rollitup.org

This is what I did with hass.io and sonoff devices flashed with tasmota

 

[TheTwistedFlorist]

@2com for the price I love my growtronix system!

 

[2com]

@2com for the price I love my growtronix system!

Nice room, cool setup man. Is that old, current?
Can I ask you about that humidifier?

 

[TheTwistedFlorist]

Nice room, cool setup man. Is that old, current?
Can I ask you about that humidifier?

Of course, ask me anything about it! This is a brand new set up, first time running LED. Got the entire dosing pump set up running too. Messy and sloppy but getting the job done. The humidifier is an ideal-air 75 pint humidifier. I would have got the 200 pint version if I could do it over because they 75 version wasn't enough for me during early veg but now that plants are bigger it is doing fine.

 

[MidnightSun72]

Also, if someone can confirm...these "device" stations; anything that's receiving a command/signal from a "controller" in order to switch on a device (heater, fan, etc) like this is really just a relay, right? I'm curious, why aren't they using 15A or 20A relays then?

Why would you size the relays in such a way? This is for 120v 15A and 20A circuits (residential). Even "consumer" grade ACs, Dehueys, Heaters often push more than these device stations are rated for? I honestly don't understand this at all.

I was trying to look into arduino (or other) relays I could somehow maybe use.


Thanks.

Just use your own relays and trigger them with device stations. Cheapest option IMO. I got one device station for triggering two 80a relays for the lights.

 

[2com]

Cool, you got some interesting stuff going on. Do you have a journal (yet)?

Yea, I was gonna ask about how that 75pint unit did - and what approximate space it's in (ceilings look pretty high too?), and the ambient RH and target RH it has to deal with.

I've been looking at humidifiers. I didn't know they made a 200pint/day model, cool. I was comparing the 75pint/day one to the "House of Hydro" ultrasonic foggers/mister and for the amount of output it seemed like the House of Hydro stuff easily beat the "centrifugal" style like the ideal Air ones, in ouput and price (I'm in canada fwiw).
The 75pint/day is 3.125 Liters/Hour. The HOH 12 site fogger does 6L/Hr, and the 12 site XL does 9L/Hr.
Just sharing in case you're interested, here's a link: https://thehouseofhydro.com/ Family run store/business, very helpful and friendly people.

 

[2com]

Just use your own relays and trigger them with device stations. Cheapest option IMO. I got one device station for triggering two 80a relays for the lights.

You mean all the device stations? Like the ones that are limited to a single function, such at "temp", as well (ie: not just the "DSD" multi function "dry contact" device station?)

Interesting, is this what you do? So basically, you'd use a device station as a 120v "trigger module" to trigger a more capable relay via a cord that plugs into the device station and runs to/terminates at your relay - where the equipment is wired to (or plugged into a receptacle that's wired to the relay)?

 

[MidnightSun72]

You mean all the device stations? Like the ones that are limited to a single function, such at "temp", as well (ie: not just the "DSD" multi function "dry contact" device station?)

Interesting, is this what you do? So basically, you'd use a device station as a 120v "trigger module" to trigger a more capable relay via a cord that plugs into the device station and runs to/terminates at your relay - where the equipment is wired to (or plugged into a receptacle that's wired to the relay)?

Exactly.
You can get a device station for $75 in Canada. Even cheaper if you buy the 6 device station pack. But ya. I first bought their RS expander station. But I am returning because I realized it was dumb because you still need a device station to trigger it.
When you use your own relays the device station can literally manage any number of relays you want. So with 2-4 device stations you can program quite a lot of shit.

also Trolmaster is fantastic to deal with on the phone. They helped me figure out the dimming my custom made led lights as well as that relay deal I just mentioned.
Very helpful phone support.

 

[TheTwistedFlorist]

Cool, you got some interesting stuff going on. Do you have a journal (yet)?

Yea, I was gonna ask about how that 75pint unit did - and what approximate space it's in (ceilings look pretty high too?), and the ambient RH and target RH it has to deal with.

I've been looking at humidifiers. I didn't know they made a 200pint/day model, cool. I was comparing the 75pint/day one to the "House of Hydro" ultrasonic foggers/mister and for the amount of output it seemed like the House of Hydro stuff easily beat the "centrifugal" style like the ideal Air ones, in ouput and price (I'm in canada fwiw).
The 75pint/day is 3.125 Liters/Hour. The HOH 12 site fogger does 6L/Hr, and the 12 site XL does 9L/Hr.
Just sharing in case you're interested, here's a link: https://thehouseofhydro.com/ Family run store/business, very helpful and friendly people.

Awesome, Ill check them out! I am in California usually dealing with 15-25% local outdoor humidity. Ceiling height is 8ft. I initially had my humidifier tied in to the house water but I started noticing a lot of mineral build up on fans/lights. I just switched the humidifier to run from the RO water, this should fix that issue. And no journal yet but I should start one. I have all the photos and data logged to do it after the fact too.

 

[2com]

Awesome, Ill check them out! I am in California usually dealing with 15-25% local outdoor humidity. Ceiling height is 8ft. I initially had my humidifier tied in to the house water but I started noticing a lot of mineral build up on fans/lights. I just switched the humidifier to run from the RO water, this should fix that issue. And no journal yet but I should start one. I have all the photos and data logged to do it after the fact too.

Yea, that's low humidity, hah. Sounds like a pretty nice setup man. There's lots of "cool" stuff I'd like to do but finding the time to learn it and implement it is tough, haha. I'd like to do time lapses (like of clones, or one bud site/bud forming) for eg. Is everything there pretty much run by the growtronix?? Environment, and water conditions, etc.?

Yea, stuff in the water can accumulate on surfaces, no doubt.

 

[2com]

Exactly.
You can get a device station for $75 in Canada. Even cheaper if you buy the 6 device station pack. But ya. I first bought their RS expander station. But I am returning because I realized it was dumb because you still need a device station to trigger it.
When you use your own relays the device station can literally manage any number of relays you want. So with 2-4 device stations you can program quite a lot of shit.

also Trolmaster is fantastic to deal with on the phone. They helped me figure out the dimming my custom made led lights as well as that relay deal I just mentioned.
Very helpful phone support.

You know, that's kinda funny. I was down a similar path as you.
And I just recently was thinking about using 120V Coil Relays, because before I was so focused on the 12V signal output by the DSD and looking for relays for that. It was something @Renfro mentioned, I think.
I also considered the RS4.

I'm picturing how this works in my mind right now...
Do you have any pics for examples of how you've wired or set one of these up? Like from the device module to whatever relay you used, then to whatever wiring method you used to the equipment? I understand if you can't.
What kinda relay(s)/contactors have you used so far? I've also been comparing some of these (but again, most have been 12V coil, so limited in that).

Thanks for chiming in, man.

 

[Star Dog]

I had a eurotechnics environment controller but I didn't rate it, I also had a rhino hybrid controller but it didn't have the fine tuning capability.
So.. I've built my own one imho its flawless, I can control heater, dehumidifier, hysterious, light on fan speed, light on idling speed, light off fan speed either constantly or intermittent depending on the season.

To make It needed two dual hot/cold relays (stc 1000/1038] 2 Amp variac, a 4 point selector swich, some epoxy glue cable blocks and some cable.

If you're confident with electricity it's a simple build, the most difficult part was finding a fixing for the voltage taps, I glued a connecter block to the transformer center so that I could screw the wires down onto the voltage rail...im assuming you're familiar with one?
Anyways if I can help tag me.

 

[2com]

Cool, you got some interesting stuff going on. Do you have a journal (yet)?

Yea, I was gonna ask about how that 75pint unit did - and what approximate space it's in (ceilings look pretty high too?), and the ambient RH and target RH it has to deal with.

I've been looking at humidifiers. I didn't know they made a 200pint/day model, cool. I was comparing the 75pint/day one to the "House of Hydro" ultrasonic foggers/mister and for the amount of output it seemed like the House of Hydro stuff easily beat the "centrifugal" style like the ideal Air ones, in ouput and price (I'm in canada fwiw).
The 75pint/day is 3.125 Liters/Hour. The HOH 12 site fogger does 6L/Hr, and the 12 site XL does 9L/Hr.
Just sharing in case you're interested, here's a link: https://thehouseofhydro.com/ Family run store/business, very helpful and friendly people.

I need to correct this; I knew I messed something up - because the 75pint/day humidifier isn't even putting out 3.125 Liters/Hour - it's 3.125 Pints/Hour which is only 1.47 Liters/Hour

So, if that's the case and these ratings are correct (and I mathed right), the industrial 75 Pint/Day (1.5 Liter/Hour) centrifugal humidifier is equivalent to this three disc atomizer/fogger which claims 1.5 Liter/Hour output: https://thehouseofhydro.com/collections/all-products/products/3-disc-mist-maker-with-float-and-spare-discs for $95 USD...?
Sure you have to add a tote/bucket, and probably a small 80-120mm fan or similar. But seems like a deal in comparison.

Peace.

 

[MidnightSun72]

You know, that's kinda funny. I was down a similar path as you.
And I just recently was thinking about using 120V Coil Relays, because before I was so focused on the 12V signal output by the DSD and looking for relays for that. It was something @Renfro mentioned, I think.
I also considered the RS4.

I'm picturing how this works in my mind right now...
Do you have any pics for examples of how you've wired or set one of these up? Like from the device module to whatever relay you used, then to whatever wiring method you used to the equipment? I understand if you can't.
What kinda relay(s)/contactors have you used so far? I've also been comparing some of these (but again, most have been 12V coil, so limited in that).

Thanks for chiming in, man.

You know, that's kinda funny. I was down a similar path as you.
And I just recently was thinking about using 120V Coil Relays, because before I was so focused on the 12V signal output by the DSD and looking for relays for that. It was something @Renfro mentioned, I think.
I also considered the RS4.

I'm picturing how this works in my mind right now...
Do you have any pics for examples of how you've wired or set one of these up? Like from the device module to whatever relay you used, then to whatever wiring method you used to the equipment? I understand if you can't.
What kinda relay(s)/contactors have you used so far? I've also been comparing some of these (but again, most have been 12V coil, so limited in that).

Thanks for chiming in, man.

Just use a cheap 12v adapter if you want to trigger a relay with the 120v line. But you can find 120v relays too.

This is the relay I used. $43 same day on Amazon.


I'll try to get pics of the full setup later

 

[TintEastwood]

FYI. Cool lil relay box for diy.

IoT Relay Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Safe AC Power Control - ships now, 15-day free trial!

www.digital-loggers.com

 

[2com]

Just use a cheap 12v adapter if you want to trigger a relay with the 120v line. But you can find 120v relays too.

This is the relay I used. $43 same day on Amazon.
View attachment 4820328

I'll try to get pics of the full setup later

Cool. That'd be sweet. Thanks dude.

So that's the one you're gonna use with...which device module? 'Cause only the DSD-dry contact station puts out a 12VDC signal as far as I know. And for that DSD, I picked up one of these: https://www.amazon.com/DROK-Portable-Electric-Current-Transfer/dp/B00DU7XEB2 though I don't feel quite confident in the lil fucker. Already tested it to confirm it'd work with the DSD, but I don't get the sense of "heavy duty" or "reliable" from it. Haha.