One way to control lights

[John]

When I started to set up my growing area, I only had a few lights to control. Over the years the lights seemed to multiply and so did the timers. It became increasingly difficult to get everything on or off at the same time and if there was a power outage or a change in time to daylight savings or back, I would have to adjust a half dozen timers. The solution I found was to use a programable or smart relay. I have included a couple pictures of the setup. The unit I am using has 10 outputs and 16 inputs which means that I can control 10 separate operations and I can utilize 16 different inputs like humidistats, thermostats or whatever to trigger an output. There are also eight clocks in the relay and most contacts can be programed as always on or to switch on and off for specific intervals. I know this sounds more complicated than it is. One of the pictures shows the program running on my computer. To build a program, you can just drag and drop timers or contacts into the circuit. I only have two circuits programed at this time, the top circuit controling the lights, on at 7:00AM and off at 9:00PM and the other turning on the misting pump for one minute each hour from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This unit can also be set to change to daylight savings time and back. I was thinking that I could use a humidistat to control the misting pump or a thermostat to control an exhaust fan in the future. According to the manufacturer, these controls have been used in greenhouses to control heat, cooling and lights. I just wanted to throw this out there so maybe someone might find an idea they can use.

John

[puddin]

That's cool! It would be a pain to have to change a half a dozen timers when something goes wrong. Glad it made things a lot easier.
May I dare ask how much this cost?

[John]

Hi Puddin, The relay, power supply, software and usb cable was just $400. I also added some control relays and a 50 amp circuit breaker panel just for the growing area. The price is what kept me from doing this for two years. I keep thinking how many orchids I could buy for the money. This setup seems to be working very nicely and I have options to expand. By the way, I like your screen name.
John

[puddin]

Thanks!
That's cheaper than I was thinking. How many orchids do you have? I grow under lights too. My collection, though, is only around 25 to 30 orchids. At the moment

[John]

Hi Puddin...I have about 450 plants under lights not counting about two dozen flasks. I know I'm nuts but can't help it. Just getting ready to start sowing seeds, have the laminar flow cabinet set up, mother flasks ready and Phal seeds from Newflasker and an order coming from Orchid Seedbank. What are you using for lights? Mine are a combination of metal halide, high pressure sodium, T8s and T5s.

John

[puddin]

Mine are fluorescent lights made to grow plants. I got them at Lowes.
I understand on being "nuts." I would get orchids, knowing I don't have room. I would "invent" room for them. I now have plenty of room. If I can find time, I will take a picture of my set up.

[ladyslipper]

Sorry John, this isn't specifically a reply to you but its pretty much on the topic I am wanting input on. Your relay timer is pretty spiffy, but my grow area is way too small to warrent such a thing.

Would anyone know where I can get a timer that I can turn lights on and off (so two times a day) and also turn a small fan on and off several times a day. I'd like to turn my little fan on for maybe 15 minutes every 3 hours.

I am in Canada so any Canadian opinions would be most gratefully received (although any opinions are of course appreciated).

Regards, m

[Ross]

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

Sorry John, this isn't specifically a reply to you but its pretty much on the topic I am wanting input on. Your relay timer is pretty spiffy, but my grow area is way too small to warrent such a thing.

Would anyone know where I can get a timer that I can turn lights on and off (so two times a day) and also turn a small fan on and off several times a day. I'd like to turn my little fan on for maybe 15 minutes every 3 hours.

I am in Canada so any Canadian opinions would be most gratefully received (although any opinions are of course appreciated).

Regards, m

I think this MistKing*::*Misting Accessories*::*Repeat Cycle Timer with a applience timer might do the trick.

[Buds!]

Originally Posted by John

Hi Puddin, The relay, power supply, software and usb cable was just $400. I also added some control relays and a 50 amp circuit breaker panel just for the growing area. The price is what kept me from doing this for two years. I keep thinking how many orchids I could buy for the money. This setup seems to be working very nicely and I have options to expand. By the way, I like your screen name.
John

Hi John,
What is the name of this program?
Is this same thing as people use to wire their houses? ie. to turn lights, sprinklers, air con 'on and off' in different seasons.
It is a great idea to computerize your growing area.
Cheers,
Buds!

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

I think this MistKing*::*Misting Accessories*::*Repeat Cycle Timer with a applience timer might do the trick.

Hi Ross, so to clarify a person would have to buy both the repeat cycle timer and an appliance timer?

Regards, m