looking for a good control and monitor system

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Arcadio

Member
Hey everyone I have been looking around for a complete control/monitor system.
Basically these are the things I want from the system. I want it to be able to control and monitor in a wireless manner,
remotely monitor and dial in air temperature, relative humidity, CO2, lighting schedule. It has to be able to control a heater, exhaust fans and AC in order to regulate the air temp automatically, like on hot days it uses the AC, on a regular days it uses exhaust fans and on cold days it uses the heater as needed. And preferably a CO2 mode where it just uses AC and CO2, no exhaust fans.

So far I haven't found a system that does even these few things.
But I also need it to be able to monitor the water tank/reservoir.
remotely monitor and dial in watering schedule, water temp.
remotely monitor water PH, EC/PPM, Water Temp (would be awesome!!)
remotely monitor water level in litres or gallons
It should have a high level sensor that detects when the water tank/reservoir is full enabling auto refills.

I had to gather up a list of TEN products that when combined will almost do everything I ask but this too much and would be a dumb and tedious system. For example the dumb system will never know when it needs the AC rather than the exhaust fans thereby creating the tedious manual task of plugging in and unplugging appliances as required by weather changes. Having to set timers and so forth for intermittent fresh air intake when using an AC. There'd also be a mess of tangled wires and this system wouldn't monitor ph, ppm and temp wirelessly it would just be with a trimeter.

And that's about $3000 worth of equipment so what am I looking at here????
How much would it be for 1 product to do all these things??
Even an estimate because I don't have a clue.
Like would it be over $5000, $10000 or something ludicrous thats not for a regular consumer or perhaps not.
 
A

Arcadio

Member
really? how much does it cost. I couldn't find anything from a search just a bunch of boards and bare components came up with project kits and stuff. Are you talking about making this system out of kits or is there a hydroponics system called ARDUINO that you are referring to. I looked everywhere and couldn't find it. Please tell me I'm really eager to know.

I was however thinking of buying something that has been developed by engineers in a laboratory rather than throwing together a project at home. It's a very comprehensive job the system has to do. Wireless control of various things, literally dozens of sensors/probes and power outlets ect. A good system like this would be years in development before reaching the market. Plus I would feel much safer with a bought product when it comes to controlling lots of high powered things considering the possibility of an electrical fire.

Anyone have an idea roughly how much I'd have to spend? It's just that a friend of mine said that this would be overly expensive and I'm asking too much from the system. He says only companies buy this kind of complete control system because it saves them so much labor that it only makes sense for them. Would he be right? I hope not but I need some more opinions before giving up my hunt.
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
Arcadio said:
Hey everyone I have been looking around for a complete control/monitor system.
Basically these are the things I want from the system. I want it to be able to control and monitor in a wireless manner,
remotely monitor and dial in air temperature, relative humidity, CO2, lighting schedule. It has to be able to control a heater, exhaust fans and AC in order to regulate the air temp automatically, like on hot days it uses the AC, on a regular days it uses exhaust fans and on cold days it uses the heater as needed. And preferably a CO2 mode where it just uses AC and CO2, no exhaust fans.

So far I haven't found a system that does even these few things.
But I also need it to be able to monitor the water tank/reservoir.
remotely monitor and dial in watering schedule, water temp.
remotely monitor water PH, EC/PPM, Water Temp (would be awesome!!)
remotely monitor water level in litres or gallons
It should have a high level sensor that detects when the water tank/reservoir is full enabling auto refills.

I had to gather up a list of TEN products that when combined will almost do everything I ask but this too much and would be a dumb and tedious system. For example the dumb system will never know when it needs the AC rather than the exhaust fans thereby creating the tedious manual task of plugging in and unplugging appliances as required by weather changes. Having to set timers and so forth for intermittent fresh air intake when using an AC. There'd also be a mess of tangled wires and this system wouldn't monitor ph, ppm and temp wirelessly it would just be with a trimeter.

And that's about $3000 worth of equipment so what am I looking at here????
How much would it be for 1 product to do all these things??
Even an estimate because I don't have a clue.
Like would it be over $5000, $10000 or something ludicrous thats not for a regular consumer or perhaps not.
Click to expand...

here man ........this system requires u to think a little because it is powered so if u have alot of senors and plugs/ u are going to need a open socket on the wall near the spot

http://www.growtronix.com/
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
but it is good work .......u will need to leave a lap top in the area to act as the controller and u can access it with a VPN and a remote desktop program (basically where ever u are the screen and info comes from the computer in the room allowing u to control it from anywhere with a wireless access/ cellphone)
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
as for what u will spend

depends on what u get ........this is just a controller/monitor system the real cost is the Gear u plug into it
but the controller 1500 that accounts for a 400 laptop to be brains (might get it for less from pawn shop) shoot for at least 4/8 gb of ram
 
A

Arcadio

Member
Hey, thanks for the response. Yeah I've already got the stuff to plug into it and I just use cheap timers and regulators.
I had already seen the growtronix. I don't like the idea of having to open up a computer or start a phone app order to monitor/control the readings. I was wanting something like a wireless monitor. You know like a those tri-meters that you just leave on and whenever you want you just look and see the readings. But a wireless version of that and not just a trimeter but everything else that makes up the complete control system. Personally, if I used the growtronix I'd need two computers with it, one with the main system and another to monitor it. It's a very unattractive option for me although it is very generously priced considering all of the things it does.

Is there a more sophisticated solution out there? Picture this. 3 units, one of them is the monitor/controller, like a screen with some buttons.
Another unit in the grow room, that has sensors for temp, RH, co2 and light. And has power outlets for lighting, exhaust fans, AC, heater, CO2, humidifier and dehumidifier. So far this system would be kind of like the iponic 624 which has all these things built into a single box rather than a bunch of boxes interconnected by wires.
Furthermore picture another box that sits by your resevoir with inputs for ph, ec, temp probes for the water. It would also have inputs for a flow meter and a float switch. Plus power outlets for water heater/cooler and the water pump.
A fully integrated system where the monitor unit would monitor all the readings and allow you to dial in your preferences.

I know it would cost more for something like this but what price range might I be looking at here?
That's the kind of answer I was hoping to get. I know I might be looking at an high end piece of equipment but I'm kind of a hobbyist and don't mind spending more on the tech.
Just a price range estimate would be great, so I gather an idea whether it's even worth pursuing.
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
Arcadio said:
Hey, thanks for the response. Yeah I've already got the stuff to plug into it and I just use cheap timers and regulators.
I had already seen the growtronix. I don't like the idea of having to open up a computer or start a phone app order to monitor/control the readings. I was wanting something like a wireless monitor. You know like a those tri-meters that you just leave on and whenever you want you just look and see the readings. But a wireless version of that and not just a trimeter but everything else that makes up the complete control system. Personally, if I used the growtronix I'd need two computers with it, one with the main system and another to monitor it. It's a very unattractive option for me although it is very generously priced considering all of the things it does.

Is there a more sophisticated solution out there? Picture this. 3 units, one of them is the monitor/controller, like a screen with some buttons.
Another unit in the grow room, that has sensors for temp, RH, co2 and light. And has power outlets for lighting, exhaust fans, AC, heater, CO2, humidifier and dehumidifier. So far this system would be kind of like the iponic 624 which has all these things built into a single box rather than a bunch of boxes interconnected by wires.
Furthermore picture another box that sits by your resevoir with inputs for ph, ec, temp probes for the water. It would also have inputs for a flow meter and a float switch. Plus power outlets for water heater/cooler and the water pump.
A fully integrated system where the monitor unit would monitor all the readings and allow you to dial in your preferences.

I know it would cost more for something like this but what price range might I be looking at here?
That's the kind of answer I was hoping to get. I know I might be looking at an high end piece of equipment but I'm kind of a hobbyist and don't mind spending more on the tech.
Just a price range estimate would be great, so I gather an idea whether it's even worth pursuing.
Click to expand...
with out a computer for the brain ......nothing

what u want does not exist ....as it would mean they need to design and build a controller unit that acts like a computer (why re invent the wheel)
laptop and desktop computers are cheap u can not sell a unit for more money when a stronger better controller is already out
 
H

High Power

Active Member
SIEMENS Simatic PLC, I can build and program a PLC based controller/monitor system that will control and monitor and alert you to every parameter.
 
A

Arcadio

Member
justugh said:
with out a computer for the brain ......nothing

what u want does not exist ....as it would mean they need to design and build a controller unit that acts like a computer (why re invent the wheel)
laptop and desktop computers are cheap u can not sell a unit for more money when a stronger better controller is already out
Click to expand...

The thing about that is the amount of computer power required for these systems is tiny. There is no need for laptop power or anywhere near that. Am I missing something here because I thought that practically all hydro systems have their own computers. The only one I know that needs a laptop is the growtronix, every other system I've seen has its own processor. Yes laptops are cheap, but the computer systems that are needed for these types of systems (like the iponic for example) are way way cheaper as in 100 times cheaper (think micro-controller).
They're not reinventing the wheel, they are using readily available, extremely affordable technology and putting it to use so the consumer doesn't need to leave a $400 laptop running with it 24/7. A laptop is total overkill, a single bottom end laptop could tens if not hundreds of control systems at once. But the real problem is that they are far less reliable since cheap laptops freeze up ALL the time and if you need it to run 24/7 you can almost be certain that your system will have interruptions. When the laptop crashes and needs to be reset, what happens when you're not there and your exhaust fans and AC are not being regulated? Your garden could be destroyed on a hot day. Not a reliable system, its the type of system you'll need to keep a much closer eye on making sure that you're there for when the laptop decides to crash. Even my friend's $4000 laptop crashes sometimes.
 
A

Arcadio

Member
Ok this is something I probably not gonna find by the looks of it. Anyone know of a wireless trimeter? that way I could combine it with an iponic 624 and a wireless water level system and I'd have complete wireless control and monitoring. Trouble is I haven't found any wireless trimeters. I don't want to have part of my system wireless and the other part demands me to go there. And please don't suggest making my own, my idea is to buy one real soon.. not dive into an engineering project otherwise I'd be on an electronics forum or something.
 
justugh

justugh

Well-Known Member
Arcadio said:
The thing about that is the amount of computer power required for these systems is tiny. There is no need for laptop power or anywhere near that. Am I missing something here because I thought that practically all hydro systems have their own computers. The only one I know that needs a laptop is the growtronix, every other system I've seen has its own processor. Yes laptops are cheap, but the computer systems that are needed for these types of systems (like the iponic for example) are way way cheaper as in 100 times cheaper (think micro-controller).
They're not reinventing the wheel, they are using readily available, extremely affordable technology and putting it to use so the consumer doesn't need to leave a $400 laptop running with it 24/7. A laptop is total overkill, a single bottom end laptop could tens if not hundreds of control systems at once. But the real problem is that they are far less reliable since cheap laptops freeze up ALL the time and if you need it to run 24/7 you can almost be certain that your system will have interruptions. When the laptop crashes and needs to be reset, what happens when you're not there and your exhaust fans and AC are not being regulated? Your garden could be destroyed on a hot day. Not a reliable system, its the type of system you'll need to keep a much closer eye on making sure that you're there for when the laptop decides to crash. Even my friend's $4000 laptop crashes sometimes.
Click to expand...
u were asking for a controll and monitoring system

laptop or a desktop do not freeze up unless u allow them too

u get a simple OP system like windows 7 (it is stable ) all the extra bells and whistles are removed it is just a basic system ..........i know u can leave it running for years i had a desktop computer i used for file sharing it did not go off for 2 years unless the power cycled

running their software is nothing running a vpn and desktop program is nothing ....it is all that extra crap ppl add to the computers that cause issue ( u seen some ppl computers with 36 icons running next to time ) yours would be 3 at the most .....a crashing computer is not a issue for u

i am a net geek i been here since 1994 .......computers are smart idiots that only do what u tell them ......the crashing is because he has conflicts in the programming he has not taken the time to understand and remove/resolve
 
Carolina Dream'n

Carolina Dream'n

Well-Known Member
Arcadio said:
Ok this is something I probably not gonna find by the looks of it. Anyone know of a wireless trimeter? that way I could combine it with an iponic 624 and a wireless water level system and I'd have complete wireless control and monitoring. Trouble is I haven't found any wireless trimeters. I don't want to have part of my system wireless and the other part demands me to go there. And please don't suggest making my own, my idea is to buy one real soon.. not dive into an engineering project otherwise I'd be on an electronics forum or something.
Click to expand...
If by trimeter you mean ph EC and temp. Bluelab guardian connect would be something to look into.

Nanolux will be dropping the controller you want sometime this year. I'd wait for that.
 
H

High Power

Active Member
I can build/program a PLC to monitor/control like a trimester with probes. The COM module then allows to transmit all data via wirelessly to any computer. You don't need to wait for Nanolux, IMHO I have found their ballasts to be a headache. Pics are over 6 years ago of the original/first flip ballast prototype.
 

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clutch1024

Well-Known Member
Just like anything in this hobby/business $ is king. If you want state of the art lazy mode your gonna pay for it. There is no way around that.
 
DISTRESS0R

DISTRESS0R

Active Member
I totally agree with OP. There is currently a huge gap in the marketplace for a straightforward automation system that is easily scalable and affordable. I think people would happily invest $500 on something that could allow them to be away from their flowering crops for more than two weeks completely absent with reliable success. Or even keep mothers safe and healthy whilst on vacation etc.
 
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clutch1024

Well-Known Member
with the above post. How do you expect $500 is even possible? I'm sure we can all agree Bluelab is one of the best monitors on the market correct? If you agree then the starting point is 2 ph controlers for up and down. Right there you are at almost $1000 without even getting into the connect models. The issues with the ph controllers is that it will do a damn good job at hiding a root zone problem by dumping in a whole gallon of ph down or up trying to combat whatever is going wrong down there.

So now we are on to problem 2 of having a camera or some other device that can be read or ran wirelessly to show you the levels of the ph up and down. Now you open up a whole bag of worms by trying to run stuff wirelessly. To most people that is a HUGE security risk.

What happens if the power goes out? Internet service goes down? Any way you look at it you end up with more and more costs that were never expected.

My best advice is to have an apprentice and have them stay at your house while you are on vacation.
 
A

Arcadio

Member
yeah I was never expecting to have all this for $500, I'd pay up to 3K though myself
anyway I did find some stuff. There is a product out there from Autogrow (intelliClimate and intelliDose) that does everything I need but it is absurdly priced. Just the bare essentials for a small setup costs over $7000. I could never justify spending that type of money. I also heard from a friend that works in agriculture that there is a product in development which will meet all of my requirements and will be under $2000. That I could justify spending. Unfortunately I don't know anything about the system specifically apart from that it does everything including automatic ph up and down.
 
T

thekevin07

Well-Known Member
I'm working on something similar to growtronix but no laptop required and if your a computer type the whole system is completely open source,wireless and has remote admining as well. I'm trying to decide between smartgardencontrollers.com or automatic.garden for a name and the remote admining site would be gardenfeedback.com.

For example I made a drain for my undercurrent system that activates on a schedule then the system fills automatically by gravity. My undercurrent is completely hands free :).I even have a "smart" cloner that drains and fills by itself, adjusts ph and adds a quart of tap water.

If your the DIY type PM me I need testers!
 
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