Don't do what I did

M

mtnman2016

Well-Known Member
This year I decided to leverage cloud-based automation in my grow room, and it turned out to be an absolute failure. Here are the issues I encountered in case anyone else has similar non-brilliant ideas.

1) I wanted to use a smart plug to monitor power usage plus schedule on/off times using a Kasa (TP-Link) plug. While the monitoring was cool, it only really made sense for the first couple days since the values won't change. 12 on 12 off uses the same power every day. Herin lies the first bad experience. 2 nights ago, the schedule did not kick off, so the girls were left in the dark all night. Back to mechanical and I won't look back.

2) This issue was even worse than #1. I had a space heater on a smart plug and a Netatmo weather station in the room. Once the weather hits 78 degrees Fahrenheit IFTTT sees it and shut off the plug hooked to the heater and once it hits 72 it turns the heater back on. Well, IFTTT appeared to not be functioning properly since 12/7/21 @ 11:45 PST while the heater was on damn near frying my plants. IFTTT just lost a subscriber for life. Once "MATTER" is a thing IFTTT will become irrelevant Imo. Cool service though.

Fortunately, I had many alerts setup using other IoT devices to notify if temps are off and caught it.

Point is, do not, never ever rely on cloud services to automate your grow room, tent, etc. It will fail someday, guaranteed.
 
speedwell68

speedwell68

Well-Known Member
I have been using Sonoff Smart switches with Google Assistant for over 2 years now and I have failed to have one switch on once.

I did a bit of stuff with IFTTT, Node.js and Google Assistant and all I can say is IFTTT is utter shit. There is no way I would trust it with anything important. I stopped using IFTTT when they started charging the end user, that isn't worth a penny. I will never go back to regular controllers. I am in fact upgrading to a Sonoff Zigbee Hub and a temp/rh sensor to control my fans and heater.

Not all of these Cloud Services are created equal. I have some SmartLife switches and bulbs (aka Status and Tuya) and they have been nothing but trouble, their service is always randomly dropping. We use TP Link bulbs at work and they are a pain in the arse too, they won't pair with certain models of phones, Google Pixel's for a start. However, Sonoff stuff is as solid as rock.

The other problem with cloud based stuff is you are reliant on a WIFI signal and an internet connection. I use old Apple Airport access points so I have a full wifi connection in every room in the house, they may old but they are rock solid. I also have 4G backup via my ISP's fibre modem.

If you want them to be "off grid" you will need to use a system that allows that, such as Home Assistant.
 
Failmore

Failmore

Well-Known Member
mtnman2016 said:
This year I decided to leverage cloud-based automation in my grow room, and it turned out to be an absolute failure. Here are the issues I encountered in case anyone else has similar non-brilliant ideas.

1) I wanted to use a smart plug to monitor power usage plus schedule on/off times using a Kasa (TP-Link) plug. While the monitoring was cool, it only really made sense for the first couple days since the values won't change. 12 on 12 off uses the same power every day. Herin lies the first bad experience. 2 nights ago, the schedule did not kick off, so the girls were left in the dark all night. Back to mechanical and I won't look back.

2) This issue was even worse than #1. I had a space heater on a smart plug and a Netatmo weather station in the room. Once the weather hits 78 degrees Fahrenheit IFTTT sees it and shut off the plug hooked to the heater and once it hits 72 it turns the heater back on. Well, IFTTT appeared to not be functioning properly since 12/7/21 @ 11:45 PST while the heater was on damn near frying my plants. IFTTT just lost a subscriber for life. Once "MATTER" is a thing IFTTT will become irrelevant Imo. Cool service though.

Fortunately, I had many alerts setup using other IoT devices to notify if temps are off and caught it.

Point is, do not, never ever rely on cloud services to automate your grow room, tent, etc. It will fail someday, guaranteed.
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I attempted to use a smart plug last grow. When I had brown outs it would not kick back on. And I have a lot of small power flickers. I share a main with the bundling so when my neighbor shorts his hand out my lights flicker.

Mechanical turns back on. These smart switches did not. Possible there is a setting I missed but fjck that thing. So annoying. Revegged my plants.
 
Samwell Seed Well

Samwell Seed Well

Well-Known Member
we are going to use trolmaster at work and i am so anxious about what you said above, power outages and the programs not running on the same timelines

or communication between A/Cs and dehums and heaters is off and a room get damaged..so much fine tuning with new set ups
 
Hiphophippo

Hiphophippo

Well-Known Member
I like to look at and touch my plants daily. The monitoring I use is simple and basic, if adjustments need made I manually do it then and there. I work with technology all day current and older it always lets you down. I know it’s not everybody’s convenience to check there plants on a regular basis for that idk but I do know technology fails or shorts or just doesn’t work all the time for no reasons at all.
 
Frank Nitty

Frank Nitty

Well-Known Member
Hiphophippo said:
I like to look at and touch my plants daily. The monitoring I use is simple and basic, if adjustments need made I manually do it then and there. I work with technology all day current and older it always lets you down. I know it’s not everybody’s convenience to check there plants on a regular basis for that idk but I do know technology fails or shorts or just doesn’t work all the time for no reasons at all.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I like the hands on approach also... Its like being a mechanic...
 
speedwell68

speedwell68

Well-Known Member
Failmore said:
I attempted to use a smart plug last grow. When I had brown outs it would not kick back on. And I have a lot of small power flickers. I share a main with the bundling so when my neighbor shorts his hand out my lights flicker.

Mechanical turns back on. These smart switches did not. Possible there is a setting I missed but fjck that thing. So annoying. Revegged my plants.
Click to expand...
Google notifies me if my grow devices go offline, so I can reset it remotely from the Google Home app. If the switch goes down, because of a power outage, the routine will run as normal at the next timed event, so I will only lose the hours of light that one time, if I don't reset it. They are pretty reliable and easy to work with.
 
H

Hairybuds

Well-Known Member
Inkbird makes a good product as far as I understand to control RH and temps, you set the upper and lower limits and plug in heater/ac and dehumidifier/humidifier
 
D

dartanis

Member
Inkbird is the bomb. Been standard for hebrewers for years. I already had 2 from brewing but got the temp + RH versions for grows and it's awesome and affordable

I tried smart plugs and had the same problems. Mechanical timers and inkbird sensors are my go to for now
 
LeastExpectedGrower

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
If you're using smart outlets, it's worth really shopping to see how they handle power or connectivity issues. Some default to on, some default to off...depending on your intended use, either of those things could be a problem.

In terms of real time data relaying, wifi and bluetooth connectivity is great. You can keep an eye on (and also get graphs) for how things are generally running and while obviously there can be issues, if you're aware that those things could happen, you can also use that to your advantage. I can tell if my wifi goes down or there's power out at my home while I'm sitting 30 miles away at the office. At the very least I know that when I do get home, I'll have to visit the tent and make sure all is working correctly.

I don't have a fully integrated system, but I do have a wifi/BT therm/hygrom. that I view remotely, AC Infinity controller that is also BT control (wish it was wifi too), then I use up to 4 smart plugs in the tent for the various circulation fans that are set on timers to provide changing air flow patterns. I also use an inkbird for humidification though that's not 'smart.'

I don't need or want a setup that you don't have to check for days on end. Because I like to get my hands dirty as well as enjoying watching things grow and develop, but I also like info on tap and to automate the things that make the most sense.
 
H

Hairybuds

Well-Known Member
Be very careful with smart plugs when using space heaters, some are only rated to 800 w or 1000 w, space heaters can be above that at 1500w. It could be a fire hazard as I found my plug melted.
 
LeastExpectedGrower

LeastExpectedGrower

Well-Known Member
Hairybuds said:
Be very careful with smart plugs when using space heaters, some are only rated to 800 w or 1000 w, space heaters can be above that at 1500w. It could be a fire hazard as I found my plug melted.
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Anyone who is using a high wattage heater on a controller should be using something that is intended for that.
 
H

Hairybuds

Well-Known Member
Yeah agreed, also if you go with inkbird they have a low amp rating one and a high amp rating one so pick accordingly
 
Roger A. Shrubber

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
some people want to grow weed, and some people want to play with electronics...i have the ability to automate, but i don't. you can get graphs and charts on your phone, and they mean shit. go look at your plants, bend over and look at undergrowth, at the bottoms of leaves, smell the room, feel the humidity on your skin, feel the texture of leaves, feel the flexibility of stalks and stems...20,000 plus years of agriculture, 20 years of automation...i know which way i'm going
 
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