Budz- Off The Grid

CryForMeSky

Active Member
http://thermoelectric-generator.com/ you could use these to help out with the overall power for the flowering chamber since the veg will be on longer. You might be able to power a fan or charge a batteey with it just need to use a resistors to keep the electrical flow from reversing back into the teg. Just a idea. The tech is still young for the most part. So i cant be a main source of power.
 

Tazbud

Well-Known Member
Iv'e seen heat exchangers and hiking pots using this tech to charge usb, interesting stuff!
Gone with all 12v, plan to run from battery via 20amp battery charger for a start. Probably won't be a great power saving with losses while on float charge but at least any spare solar is being used each day. More 'off-grid' options to be explored in the future.:grin:
 

Mechmike

Well-Known Member
Hiya, no worries, I'm so busy but have another go here and there.. nearly done. Two CXA 3070 AB ordered for flower section and 1050mA drivers in place.

I'm a bit stumped on these timers. I decided to give these cheap digital ones a go. Great info provided on programming but they left out any wiring diagram. And they don't know much about the timers. It's just got two 'power' spades and two 'switch' spades, no polarity marked.. Any ideas anyone?

http://www.banggood.com/DC-12V-Mini-LCD-Digital-Microcomputer-Control-Power-Timer-Switch-p-909362.html?currency=AUD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_content=ruby&utm_campaign=Auto-au&gclid=CP7R_PudlcACFZcmvQodAZ0A9w


View attachment 3229540
I have lots of 12v dc experience. Battery goes to power side. Drivers connect to the switched side. The diagram is lacking alright and polarity is important here. I would just connect the power side to a battery and check for voltage at the switch side. Just make sure the timer isn't in switch off mode. Then you will know which spades to connect to so you maintain correct polarity.
 

Tazbud

Well-Known Member
Thanks Mike, I think that was the same conclusion from that vague diagram. +ve and -ve into the power side.
I'll try ion the order they show for polarity first and test, cheers. Any other advice along the way most welcome.
I have most parts now but willing to keep swapping things (it already looks nothing like original plans).
 

Mechmike

Well-Known Member
Thanks Mike, I think that was the same conclusion from that vague diagram. +ve and -ve into the power side.
I'll try ion the order they show for polarity first and test, cheers. Any other advice along the way most welcome.
I have most parts now but willing to keep swapping things (it already looks nothing like original plans).
You're welcome. None of my creations look like the original plan. Tinkerers never finish. We tinker.
 

guod

Well-Known Member
I have lots of 12v dc experience. Battery goes to power side. Drivers connect to the switched side. The diagram is lacking alright and polarity is important here. I would just connect the power side to a battery and check for voltage at the switch side. Just make sure the timer isn't in switch off mode. Then you will know which spades to connect to so you maintain correct polarity.
stop tinkering and learn some basics of symbols and abbreviations

basic.jpg
 

Mechmike

Well-Known Member
stop tinkering and learn some basics of symbols and abbreviations

View attachment 3230171
I am assuming the term DC/AC implies that the timer will run either 12v DC current or 12v AC current. There is no indication from either of the diagrams that this timer has an internal AC to DC transformer. I would still power it up with 12v DC to check the function. Tinker on...
 
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CryForMeSky

Active Member
Would constant voltage be bettee in this situation rather then constant current? IMO it would be do to the fact you could place far more light sources and run them off of a single driver. They would be driven less and wouldnt drain the batteries amp hours as heavily. But i have no proof to back this up. So just a thought. I might get a couple crappy solar panels for car battery charging from harbor freight and give it a go.

One bonus i could think of is being able to place side lighting in your box with the extra amps you would be able to use. But this is not fact or anything just ramblings from a crazy person. Tinker on!
 

Tazbud

Well-Known Member
When I was 16 (many years ago) i bought my first new stereo. They had included a square plug, not round and in my eagerness to get tunes i had the brilliant idea to whittle some off the square plug till it fit. It took some time but I almost had it, aside from a small tag of plastic on one side.. ahh, a quick bite will do it.. unfortunately it was also the time I forgot to switch off power. I copped mains power to the head, fortunately when I passed out the plug came from the wall as i fell... I am the craziest mother of all CfmS!! :cool:

Actually no, I know lots of stuff, my head is full of esoteric nonsense! Even with a science degree I do struggle with some things at the most basic level.. Could be the weed, could have been the few big snorts of Skefron at 17, I blame the electrons..

Plus I work hard and am otherwise a lazy fucker :D Especially with folks around into this stuff- your stage.. (it's ok, I know there would be some concern for giving away electrical help.. especially to my type haha)

Trying hard not to tinker, about to cut a few zips so time is on my side.
The ti-diddly-inkering is more with the grow style (i'm thinking airpots for a quicker grow, used them before but it's going to mean a big difference to grow style, re-cycled soil rather than no-till)

I actually do know what those particular symbols mean, the diagram I had to search from another site, I assume the timers are the same.There are no polarity indications, I assume the diagram should do, they were $5 /or something ridiculous..

Plan to use one timer for flower, 2x 1amp 3070's.
another timer for veg, 2x .5amp + possibly fans and an air pump.

Amps should be ok, all in correct:


Screen Shot 2014-08-17 at 7.45.54 PM.png

bongsmilie
 
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Tazbud

Well-Known Member
Long shot but has anyone used these timers? i looked for another (digital) timer from a reliable brand..? 12v timer will be hard to work around.
 

Tazbud

Well-Known Member
Almost done !

Budz1.png

Check out this AK47 though, It's the last of a pack of seeds. It's been under two floodlights until three weeks ago, and it's gonna be something special. Smells like cherry wine, so strong it made me cough with a big sniff :lol: Iv'e only grown a dozen or so named varieties, some a few times -but that is a first for me.

Thick n Frosty too!

Budz2.png

the little lady has foxtails n all

Budz3.png

off for another few sniffs :eyesmoke:
 
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Tazbud

Well-Known Member
I'd read something about the cherry pheno, maybe it's tainted my conclusion about the smell, cherries came to mind. Iv'e grown 5 others (serious seeds) and this is very different, the other had a spicey/peppery smell. Yeah, I haven't much experience with cloning and my CS experiment didn't make pollen but even if I need to reveg I have to try to keep her :-)

The photo lighting is off but the AK might have too much nitrogen available (It ended up in a Big tub on it's own, the other two are together).. too little red LED this round as well i'd say, doubt they would have finished under floodlights but came a long way. It's been very slow (cold ambient), underwatered recently.. can only do better though, not concerned ;-)
 
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Tazbud

Well-Known Member
I'm in two minds about the flowering area, about lighting, before ordering more drivers.
It's a penetration V spread thing (lol)

The latest thinking is to set up two pots, plants topped/mainlined for 4 buds each.
Hopefully a large 8 buds.:weed:

Three minds maybe.. I'm wondering if 2x1050mA will be a bit dismal (even AB bin), can change things but ordering is a hassle:

CXA.png
 

CryForMeSky

Active Member
The 700s would give alot more coverage over all. And help with crowding. Cause they going to go right for those hot points of light.

I cant remember are you going to be using a screen at all? It might come in real handy when they are stretching and all crowding around those hot spots. IMO
 

Mechmike

Well-Known Member
You'll get wider coverage and higher lumens/watt by running 4 emitters at 700ma than 3 at 1050ma. I run my cobs low current and spread them out for that reason. The only downside is the upfront cost for drivers and emitters but some of that is made up by higher efficiency. The wider coverage is also a major plus in my opinion.
 

Tazbud

Well-Known Member
Things have changed a bit, I had planned a screen but i'm thinking i'll have the height to just let some mainlined colas go free! Veg until the 4 tops are well positioned on each and then into two large air pots to finish veg & switch to flower. Even without a screen the 8 colas should only be maybe 3 to the zip.. so still not overly large/long/wide.

Driven @ 1050 around 38w each? @ 700mA around 26w each?

I'll throw up a pic later, should have Veg section almost done today at least.
 
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