I'm looking into growroom automation AND security with home automation as a sideline - all using one system attached to the PC's serial port - or USB maybe.

I got the inspiration from Growtronix - A system which is very similar to the one I'm going to build.

It will consist of a number of sensors and switches (temperature, humidity, solar intensity, window & door contact switches, PIR motion sensors and eventually pH and CF, maybe dissolved oxygen content sensors too). Each of these 'modules' can be connected in any standard network topology (daisychain, star etc.) simply by connecting them with Cat5 network cable. The cable will need a bit of rewiring so it's easier if I make my own.

I will write the software - I'm no programmer but have some limited experience and have been assured by various sources that the programming shouldn't be too difficult to get to grips with.

I will be using a low spec PC to run the software to test it's capabilities on a slow machine. It is connected to the PC via a small serial to RJ45 connector or using a master hub with multiple RJ45 channels.

The PC (The Master) will continuously monitor whatever sensors or switches are attached to the system and use a number of relays to control various aspects of the growroom. For instance, high temp switches on fans, low temp switches on a heater, lights can be controlled by the PC rather than those temperamental mechanical timers, window,door and motion sensors could send SMS message when activated, flood sensors could do the same. Couple these with a couple of webcams and a seure server and you can do it all. I also hope to produce a module that can sense the temperature, humidity and solar intensity all in one.

I hope to have all the parts necessary to start building the system this week and would like some input as the project progresses. Also, I hope to be able to manufacture these devices once I have sorted out any bugs and have everything working perfectly. It would seem to have a demand - especially if they're cheap enough! I reckon I could sell them for around £20-£40 per device. You could have a whole system measuring temp, humidity & solar in two zones with a couple of other sensors for just a couple hundred quid - including a crappy old PC!

Anyway, I'll shut up now!

It's good to have a dream.
I am a hands on kind of guy though.. I don't think you can load a green thumb in to a hard drive..

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PEACE.
Never stop growing.
Seeds are the future.

It's not a dream, I know this system is completely possible and should be fairly simple once I've ironed it all out. I'm a hands on kinda guy myself, I love nothing better than sitting with my girls tending to their needs ... I absolutely love it - in fact I find it quite theraputic and to produce something that takes away the need to carry out any growroom tasks would be awful (although it would serve those who DON'T enjoy tending to their grow).

The objective of the system is to maintain growroom conditions not to automate the entire process. For example, recently I've had to fiddle with the timer for my heater as the temperatures have dropped considerably and the range of temperature readings was way out. After many time patterns, I finially seem to have it about right, but it's going to change again soon - well constantly throughout the year - and with a sensor, I can forget about it basically. In addition to saving time on stuff like that, it should save you a bit of cash by only switching equipment on when it is required to be.

I only concern with this is tha tyour monitoring PC could be a singel point of failure for all systems...

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any similarity my posts have to reality are purely coincidental. I love to steal pics from the net and post them as my own after using a photo editor on them. As usual the Lizard is a lier and talks out his butt.

That is a very good point! I will be thinking about this over the next few days. I guess a PC can be set up to reboot if required and to execute the software required. It could then pick up where it left off so to speak. A black out would cause more problems as the PC wouldn't switch back on after power came back on. Relays would hold the equipment in it's current state if the PC crashed until it rebooted and restored everything as it should be. A failsafe could be incorporated to switch off certain appliances (ie. heaters, etc) when there is a problem...somehow??

I am sure it could be done but if you are going to do this you will definitely want it to be rock solid. If you have access to a server OS they tend to "freeze or lockup" less. A lot of different companies use computer controlled environmentals. I would look to see if there was already software out there for this. and look no reason to reivent the wheel.

Hydroponics, environment, climate and fertigation control

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any similarity my posts have to reality are purely coincidental. I love to steal pics from the net and post them as my own after using a photo editor on them. As usual the Lizard is a lier and talks out his butt.

Fair play, that seems like a wicked site. Very much like what I want to do. I haven't seen this one before, i will check it out. Thanks.

good luck m8te

What language do you plan on programming in ? as this will require a huge amount of variables i suggest C++ for control ability. but i would like to see you iron this out it would be a hell of a project but there are grow control programs out there that do this already ... let me know how it ends up

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Regard,
Closet-DWC

And remember just try and act NORML

talkin to high phi much brotha?

I never said you couldn't do it!!
But you don't have one build yet so its still a dream.. Get those parts and make your dream come true.. Showing me is the only way to sell me on something new..

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PEACE.
Never stop growing.
Seeds are the future.

I planned on using Java and Netbeans due to their cross-platform comatibility and the fact that they're FREE allows people to develop their own software etc.

Well, just to update y'all...
I'm waiting on most of the components and materials I need to start putting together a sensor and the serial interface. I've just been in touch with the state-side supplier and the order is now in the 'processing' stage? I can't make much sense of most these online tracking systems - first it says PREPARING? then it says PENDING? now it says PROCESSING? What does all that tell me ... feck all!

Anyway, i have pretty much all my gear - soldering iron, solder, helping hands, anti-static mat etc - ready to go! I'm just waiting on these other few bits.

I bought a few small project boxes a couple of days ago and with a few holes in the lid, I think will be perfect for containing at least the smaller sensors such as temperature and humidity.

I also picked up something called Plasti-Dip - it's a spray on rubber/plastic coating and can be used for all sorts of applications. I will use it to waterproof my circuits.

wow, sounds like quite a project. a marriage between programming and technology with biology and environment. basically a cyborg grow room, that will develop AI and declare war on its creator..... ok, maybe i smoked too much of this Jack Herrer... hehehehe

seriously though good luck I'm voting yes on your poll!

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MEDICATE \m/ >¿< \m/

www.greenlightnin.com - The best in Hydroponic Nutrients.

My Current Grow Journal...
http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/hobo...-welcome-2641/


PS i am a pathological liar, and have illusions of grandeur. I post pictures of pot plants i found on the internet and i have never nor will i ever consider the cultivation of marijuana, as it is illegal.

Im with you SHAMAN. I like to do my own dirty work so to speak. you get a better feel for whats happening with your girls.

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When Injustice Becomes Law,Resistance Becomes Duty

http://www.bjjperth.com/music/Marlon Asher - Ganja Farmer.mp3

lol, this post reminds me of the beginning of gt. cept the guy disappeared when when they came about. why try to reinvent the wheel?

LOL dude. I sounded like a pimp in my last thread.
Pimp daddy SS

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When Injustice Becomes Law,Resistance Becomes Duty

http://www.bjjperth.com/music/Marlon Asher - Ganja Farmer.mp3

I'm not sure what you mean??

Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the 1st part of craftyassmofo's post either. Specifically "gt" but I do agree with him on... why re-invent the wheel?

The use of an automated system, surely wouldn't appeal to a small grower, like most of us here. It would be great for a commercial, un-attended grow though.

Most small time growers, take pride in what they do, and defenitely would not hand over the decision making process to a machine with regards to growing there private stash!

You saying I don't take pride in my grow??? Huh?? jus' kidding, but seriously ... I was looking to aim this producct at hydroponic comercial growers of the non-cannabis variety, but seeing as I grow I thought It'd be perfect. I take an imense amount of pride in my little grow but I really would love to keep the temp constant, humidity constant, have flood sensor (water started dripping through my bedroom ceiling yesterday cos of a drip I hadn't noticed - must've been dripping for at least 4 weeks!!!), motion detector (very useful), basically, It'd just make things easier on the 'admin' sde and give me more time to tend to my girlies!