Ready to Build
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This is the first stage of a collaborative build of greenhouse controller. The primary purpose of this controller is to operate two motors for roll-up sides through a relay box that was built during a workshop hosted by the CAPE in Quebec. The secondary purpose is to operate a heating system with the powerswitch tail available from adafruit.
Arduino
Greenhouse
I built (or modified) this tool
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Bill of materials

Arduino uno, pro-min, mega $5-$50

ds18b20 temperature sensor with pull-up resistor  $15 CDN

JW-100-M Male Crimp Pins and Housing   $15 CDN

610 Panel Mount 2.1mm DC barrel jack $4 CDN

15-0298 Stereo Plug Solder Lugs 3.5mm $1.30 CDN

70-534B 3.5mm Stereo Isolated Chassis Mount Jack $4 CDN

1-2 762-ADA Cable Gland PG-7 size - 0.118" to 0.169" Cable Diameter - PG-7 $2.80 CDN

63-ADA 9 VDC 1000mA regulated switching power adapter - UL listed $10 CDN

22 AWG solid hookup wire.  Red and black 12-18 inches each, other color 2-3 inches

1-2 inches Shrink tubing

Waterproof plastic enclosure, the bigger the better
(eg. PRT-11366 Enclosure - Flanged (Red) $15 CDN)

Adafruit Powerswitch tail 2 $25 USD - for furnace control

 

Other tools needed to build this tool

40 watt solder station

hot glue gun

wire stippers

needle nose pliers or crimping tool

Step-by-step build instructions

 

Supporting materials

ie. SketchUp files, CAD drawings, photos, video, technical drawings. 

Comments

Tool comment

Hi jennajane,

I have made a simple controller that we can sell (so far) for $150 US.  It is a bit time consuming and no profit for us so far, but I hope to get our cost down as I look into various options to have it assembled.  This is very new territory for us and we only have 2 of installations so far in the field.

It basically is just a 2 stage thermostat that is wired to a cycle timer.  It is in a NEMA4 watertight container.  We make it/sell it pre-wired on a length of 1/2" flex water tight conduit.  We also try to sell the motors for the lowest price on the market ($175US currently) and can supply the 24V transformer if needed (or you can search for LED transformers online - we use 150W).  Glad to share any info on the controller and develop it as an open source project.  (just not a lot of time so far to spend on the publishing, and lots more testing to do)

Ideally, the ultimate circuit will also have over-amperage protection for the motors as it is somewhat common for automated sides to get damaged when caught on obstructing objects.  I am hoping that the over-amperage protection in the 150W power supply might help serve this purpose, though we have yet to test this.

We also have a version of this controller for linear actuator motors for ventilation louvers.  By replacing the line voltage motors that are standard on hoophouses/greenhouses that draw power the entire time the louvers are open with a highly geared DC linear actuator, the average energy use is cut to about 1/1000th. (from about $50/yr to about 5 cents)