True HP Aero For 2011

[Trichy Bastard]

Great Job Tb you are my hero hehehe it won't be long before fuzzies come I just know it lol

Wow, just had a flashback from puberty! lol...

 

[hammer21]

Hey TB did you have a hand model come over for the photo shoot........... looking good

 

[Trichy Bastard]

Hey TB did you have a hand model come over for the photo shoot........... looking good

LOL... Thanks hammer... BTW I have been playing around with that timer you pointed out on ebay a month back or so and I like it. I will post a review soon with some pics.

 

[Trichy Bastard]

I just noticed something today- the pressure gauge on my regulated pressure side drops from 100psi to 80psi while the solenoids are open, I wonder if this is a true reading at the nozzles, or just the gauge fluctuating due to the flow? Good news is even 80 psi is fine for hpa, but I'd prefer to have the full 100psi I built it to work at. Perhaps due to the number of nozzles the 1/4 line isn't large enough diameter, or my regulator takes a second to open up?

The 2 things on my mind right now in need of tweaking are better insulation of the pod for temps, and also figuring out the best way to have my night-time mistings less than the daytime. Easiest method is to add a second timer that controls my main timer, and will shut the main timer off at set intervals during the night. I'd really prefer some sort of photocell setup so as the daylight hours change throughout the year, so that the process will adapt automatically. Thinking thinking...

 

[mrflamboynt]

you said it... dial it down.... and keep it simple

 

[aerojunkie]

LOL... Thanks hammer... BTW I have been playing around with that timer you pointed out on ebay a month back or so and I like it. I will post a review soon with some pics.

Was this the sestos timer for 25.00 your talking about? I got mine, the only thing I would prefer is another digit on the timer as the A and B timing functions can not be separated. i.e. if you set it to seconds rather than minutes you can only have an off time of 99.99 seconds if you switch to minutes you can not run on times in 1/10 seconds.

 

[Mechanibus]

Was this the sestos timer for 25.00 your talking about? I got mine, the only thing I would prefer is another digit on the timer as the A and B timing functions can not be separated. i.e. if you set it to seconds rather than minutes you can only have an off time of 99.99 seconds if you switch to minutes you can not run on times in 1/10 seconds.

I knew that hing was a little too good to be true- I almost ordered one. So if you use the .1 second on times, you are limited to a max of 1 minute, 39 seconds off. That might work for some, and you can always go 1 second on, then whatever you want off.

But somehow I knew that timer wasn't the aero timing Messiah I thought it would be. If only it had that extra digit! I'd have three ont he way. . .

Just ordered a salad-bowl trimmer though, so my grow scrilla is a bit low right now. Thanks, Junk, for ordering that timer and telling us about it! Still an interesting option for the right low-cost system!

Next week I'll begin taking down my largest aero grow to date. I'll be sure to post pics and weights.

 

[r0m30]

Quite right, I suppose some families have to do the summers as the kids are out of school... If you ever do visit again, you'd better look me up for a beer buddy!

You on the big island? That's where I usually go.

I just noticed something today- the pressure gauge on my regulated pressure side drops from 100psi to 80psi while the solenoids are open, I wonder if this is a true reading at the nozzles, or just the gauge fluctuating due to the flow?

Mine did the same thing before I added the air chamber. I thought it had to do with the reaction time of the pressure regulator but I never found out for certain.

The 2 things on my mind right now in need of tweaking are better insulation of the pod for temps, and also figuring out the best way to have my night-time mistings less than the daytime. Easiest method is to add a second timer that controls my main timer, and will shut the main timer off at set intervals during the night. I'd really prefer some sort of photocell setup so as the daylight hours change throughout the year, so that the process will adapt automatically. Thinking thinking...

Couldn't you use a photo cell to switch a relay that controls the power source for your timer? During the day the relay would supply power from the mains and at night the power would be controlled by the second timer.
something like this:

            photo cell
mains ----|   |
          |relay|----|timer|----solenoid(s)
timer ----|

I've been meaning to ask, do you worry about your plants going hermie? If they are on your deck they will be exposed to light from the moon and random household lights. Most of what I've read says the dark period should be completely dark because we are manipulating the photo period to force them to flower.

 

[aerojunkie]

I knew that hing was a little too good to be true- I almost ordered one. So if you use the .1 second on times, you are limited to a max of 1 minute, 39 seconds off. That might work for some, and you can always go 1 second on, then whatever you want off.

But somehow I knew that timer wasn't the aero timing Messiah I thought it would be. If only it had that extra digit! I'd have three ont he way. . .

Just ordered a salad-bowl trimmer though, so my grow scrilla is a bit low right now. Thanks, Junk, for ordering that timer and telling us about it! Still an interesting option for the right low-cost system!

Next week I'll begin taking down my largest aero grow to date. I'll be sure to post pics and weights.

Under the right circumstances it could work. If you achieve total saturation @ .8 sec every 3 min then technically you should be able to reduce the time by 1/2 and still be able to utilize this timer, .4 every 90 sec. My chambers are larger so I dont have a problem using this timer at all. Its much cheaper than a C.A.P. or sentinal timer and its digital. I think many people will be able to use it. I will get some pics this afternoon of root hairs in a small 2x4 botanicare tray that is being over saturated on a simple cap timer. Its not the best setup for growth but its fantastic for cloning and does well with germination. It also shows that root hairs can be achieved in a less than perfect environment.

 

[Mechanibus]

I will get some pics this afternoon of root hairs in a small 2x4 botanicare tray that is being over saturated on a simple cap timer. Its not the best setup for growth but its fantastic for cloning and does well with germination. It also shows that root hairs can be achieved in a less than perfect environment.

Cool, I'd like to see that.

I agree that timer is plenty useable. I might play with one some day, but my own experiments with aero have yet to give me the plants I want. I think I'm going to run BBs next time to see if they just produce fatter plants- my (extremely limited) experience says they will, as long as I don't lose them to that brown algae. I'll be sure to be full-lightproof and run cooler solution temps this time

 

[aerojunkie]

Here are the pics. This modular system is on a simple cap timer and the hair roots are very prevalent.





Basil



The system is driven by a single air atomized nozzle with recycled nutes.



The dead roots are from removing the humidome too soon after germination. The growth was stunted for a few days after this. My fault.



ART-DNE 1 sec on aprox 2.5 min off...

 

[ranger9mm]

that's awesome aj ^^^ real nice system and roots man!!

LOL... Thanks hammer... BTW I have been playing around with that timer you pointed out on ebay a month back or so and I like it. I will post a review soon with some pics.

at least you got roots going, give it time and you will probably get the warm fuzzies soon

are you using the timer you mentioned in the beginning of the thread, 422A i believe, is that working well for you so far?

got my nozzles from biocontrols the .016 and i'm planning on using 2 for each chamber which will be Brute trash cans 10gallon model, which are 15" diameter by 17" tall and 37.85 liters which will house one plant each. i can't find that formula atomizer mentioned back in the thread on determining cycle times, do you have it written down anywhere?

 

[Trichy Bastard]

Was this the sestos timer for 25.00 your talking about? I got mine, the only thing I would prefer is another digit on the timer as the A and B timing functions can not be separated. i.e. if you set it to seconds rather than minutes you can only have an off time of 99.99 seconds if you switch to minutes you can not run on times in 1/10 seconds.

No, it was one Hammer21 linked of ebay just prior to the mention of that timer. It's unfortunate those timers are like that, otherwise they would have been prime for the job and at an unbeatable price. I don't think you could do much good with it like that except in a cloner or something. The atc-422 is still king, but this one hammer found seems to have the same qualities, but even more feature rich and plug n play. I will find the link and also post a review when I have time...

 

[r0m30]

got my nozzles from biocontrols the .016 and i'm planning on using 2 for each chamber which will be Brute trash cans 10gallon model, which are 15" diameter by 17" tall and 37.85 liters which will house one plant each. i can't find that formula atomizer mentioned back in the thread on determining cycle times, do you have it written down anywhere?

Atomizer's target is <1ml per 100L (link)

Has anyone posted flow rates for the biocontrols?

 

[Trichy Bastard]

You on the big island? That's where I usually go. Maui actually

Mine did the same thing before I added the air chamber. I thought it had to do with the reaction time of the pressure regulator but I never found out for certain. Ok, perhaps I'd do good to add one as well- it's simple enough... And you say it no longer drops during mistings? The air gap must be acting like a mini accumulator on the regulated side and making up the slack of the regulator's reaction time.


Couldn't you use a photo cell to switch a relay that controls the power source for your timer? During the day the relay would supply power from the mains and at night the power would be controlled by the second timer.
something like this:

photo cell
mains ----| |
|relay|----|timer|----solenoid(s)  [COLOR=red]Yes, thanks- that's what I concluded as well, but or now I'll likely KISS and just put my timer on another timer- issue is that 12v programmable timers seem to be alot more expensive than 110v ones.  Considered an invertor, but it's just another power draw and failure point.
[/COLOR]timer ----|

I've been meaning to ask, do you worry about your plants going hermie? If they are on your deck they will be exposed to light from the moon and random household lights. Most of what I've read says the dark period should be completely dark because we are manipulating the photo period to force them to flower.

Well, I'm not manipulating anything, the plants will be in natural day/night cycles from the beginning, so I don't think it'll be an issue. The plants seem to do fine with the moon and there's not much artificial light here to worry about... It's cool living where year round the day/night cycle is roughly 12/12 give or take an hour...

 

[Trichy Bastard]

Cool, I'd like to see that.

I agree that timer is plenty useable. I might play with one some day, but my own experiments with aero have yet to give me the plants I want. I think I'm going to run BBs next time to see if they just produce fatter plants- my (extremely limited) experience says they will, as long as I don't lose them to that brown algae. I'll be sure to be full-lightproof and run cooler solution temps this time

Are you running organics? Is there any reason for aversion to bleach or h202? I think organics and hpa are a bad mix just by thinking about it. I am a control freak, and that's how I like it... hahaha

 

[Trichy Bastard]

that's awesome aj ^^^ real nice system and roots man!!




at least you got roots going, give it time and you will probably get the warm fuzzies soon

are you using the timer you mentioned in the beginning of the thread, 422A i believe, is that working well for you so far?

got my nozzles from biocontrols the .016 and i'm planning on using 2 for each chamber which will be Brute trash cans 10gallon model, which are 15" diameter by 17" tall and 37.85 liters which will house one plant each. i can't find that formula atomizer mentioned back in the thread on determining cycle times, do you have it written down anywhere?

Thanks man... Yes, the 422 is great and I like it alot. r0m just posted Atomizer's immense words

 

[Trichy Bastard]

Atomizer's target is <1ml per 100L (link)

Has anyone posted flow rates for the biocontrols?

I haven't tested them yet, but only know the manufacturer's listed flowrate, and know that is not likely accurate. I do have the ultra-low flow ones, and would imagine those are the only ones anyone would want considering overmisting seems to be the biggest issue for most.

 

[Mike Young]

If you skip to about the 2 min mark in the vid, this geezer made a pretty sweet analog mist switch. This really got my mind going. This type of switch is reactive to it's enviroment. If your chamber is empty, or close to, the switch triggers quickly. If a mass of roots is catching the mist before it gets to the bottom, where the switch is, it cycles longer. Self regulating! Doesn't really accommodate short bursts, but intriguing none the less. Very simple, yet awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2Xhy7zY9kc&feature=related

 

[Trichy Bastard]

If you skip to about the 2 min mark in the vid, this geezer made a pretty sweet analog mist switch. This really got my mind going. This type of switch is reactive to it's enviroment. If your chamber is empty, or close to, the switch triggers quickly. If a mass of roots is catching the mist before it gets to the bottom, where the switch is, it cycles longer. Self regulating! Doesn't really accommodate short bursts, but intriguing none the less. Very simple, yet awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2Xhy7zY9kc&feature=related

It's so simple, yet ingenious. This could be used for the power supply line to the timer, once it tips from drying, the timer will give the preset spray time, so you could definitely use it with the 422 timer and get short mistings based on when the chamber becomes dry! (Don't know if you noticed, but the instant you apply voltage to the 422, it begins it's cycle with the spray cycle immediately, at whatever timings you set it for)- followed by the off time. Once the chamber may become oversaturated due to enough mistings, the lever will fall and cut the power again until it dries enough and tips the other direction again. I might play around with this... I'd like to use some sort of material on the flyswatter- lol (switch) that could dry around the same rate as the roots will. Good find to get me thinking Mikey! It might not work so well once the roots are packing the chamber full, but in the beginning stages as the roots are growing and constantly altering the speed in which they consume nutes, as well as day/night and hot/cold variables, this could really ensure the roots get just what they need when they need it always- optimally. I suppose it's definitely a point of failure, if the switch were to get caught up for any reason, the plants could die in a day's time however.