randydj
Well-Known Member
Bassman:Ive got no idea what all that is, but I am interested
I am using an Arduino Uno computer to control the COBs, Cob heatsink fans, the exhaust fan, the far red SemiLeds and the CO2 flow valve for my grow tent. Basically it turns the lights off/on along with the heatsink cooling fans on whatever schedule I want 12/12, 18/6, 20/4 starting at whatever time I want. example = turn the lights on at 2:00pm then off at 8:00am the next morning for an 18/6. Then during the lights on period I can turn off the exhaust fan and inject CO2 until the tent starts to get too warm from the lights then turn the exhaust back on and cool the tent back down. It repeats this cycle until 30 minutes or so prior to lights out. Then at lights out it turns on the 730nm (far red) LEDs for 15 minutes to take advantage of the phytochrome cycle putting the plants to sleep right away. The AC devices are controlled via the SSR-25-da solid state relays and the 12v dc devices are controlled via the small optically isolated relays in the lower middle of the cabinet. I know it seems like a waste of CO2 to run it like that but it is such a small tent (3x3x5) that I can run a complete grow on a 10# tank of CO2 @ a calculated 1500 PPM. So it only costs about $18 for gas.
I ran a less complicated grow last time with the Arduino only controlling the CO2 and exhaust fan, other timers were running the lights. But it was a PITA when stuff got out of sync. I just ran my new Arduino program through a 25 hour test cycle and it is working as planned. As soon as I finish wiring this controller I will be set to start my COTC Amphetamine and Narcotic Kush grow. I cannot get back to it until Monday so hopefully I can start the seeds by Wednesday. That may be a bit optimistic as there is still a bit of wiring to go.