That's right- all this reading, planning, buying, building- it's all come to a point where I am witnessing the fruits of my labor! The quiet ticking of the solenoids for .5 seconds every 3 minutes and the pssst of the spray are chugging away in the background as I write this! Right now, is my adult equivelant of the feeling I used to get when my parents told me we were going to Disneyland... lol
I've shown the control center, but I suppose I need to show some pics of the chamber right?
I was searching for a way to tightly suspend the rootscreen an inch or so of the bottom of the chamber, and while browsing the hardware store I found some vinyl 1x1 strips for mounting vinyl lattice. I decided to make a framework to hold the silkscreen up out of it...
Then I used 2 window screen frames, but screened them with the silkscreen. I figured it was an easy way to pull the screen tight. I originally used a single screen, but it pulled together in the middle like an hourglass because it was too long, I only purchased enough silkscreen for 1 chance, but luckily there was just enough to do it twice. It was a real pain however, because it is harder to work with than normal window screen, and the only overlap I had to work with on the sides was 1/2 inch. I cursed and messed around with it for hours till I finally got it right... I caulked it in so the roots couldn't get under it, forgive the sloppy caulk job- I tried a new kind and it was horrible to work with. Also, for some reason I thought the box was brownish, and tried to get a matching color- but when I got back home I realized the bin is gray!- lol Oh well- if all goes well, it won't be seen for long, cuz it's gonna be covered in silky white fuzzy roots (wishful thinking)
Anyway, here's what it looks like:
And here's the chamber after I installed the solenoids:
This is the remote sending unit for my pod temp gauge, I put it in a ziplock bag, and plugged the probe wire in afterwards, the unit fits nicely in between the 2 layers of the top of the bin, and I have the probe wire hanging down about 6 inches in the pod to sample the air temps.
I used low voltage outdoor wiring for the solenoids, and attached a normal wall plug onto it, and the recieving end on the control center, in case I ever need to move them around, it's as simple as disconnecting the JG fitting, and unplugging the plug.
Here's the plastic chicken wire installed to give the roots something to hold onto on the walls and lid:
I used some foam pipe wrap to insulate the JG line and solenoids for now. I plan to install some grey pvc 6x6x6 electrical junction boxes to house the solenoids in later and fill with fiberglass batting to insulate them from heat as well as attenuate their sound. I found some online (ordered (2) 5 packs for $12.99 each- total 30$ with shipping very good deal considering at Home depot one box costs $28...)
Some random pics of stuff as I was working:
The mist nozzles installed:
The moment of truth- my very first HPA Misting!
Well, this is the end of one chapter (the building) And the beginning of the next (learning to use it). I cannot thank everyone enough for all their help along the way, especially Atomizer who has answered all of my questions (and there have been many). And tree farmer for putting the info out there to me to read and learn. Of course Cavadge's thread was a huge inspiration too.
I have the timer set to mist .5 seconds every 3 minutes just to mimick a possible average setting, and will keep tabs on pod temps and how long it takes to drawdown the tank to cut in pressure. Next I will have to take some mist volume and actual timing measurements. My Canna nutes are on the way and I imagine I will get something growing in this thing and take it for it's maiden voyage!