Computer controlled Grow and Bloom Room

Y

Youngbudd

Member
Anybody else doing this. I have a computer set up to control all of my Pumps, Lights, Tempature, Light Mover, Camera's (3), flood lights, security lights, and Alarm system.

The system is based from X10, and X10's ActiveHome Pro software. I get text messages as lights go on and off, when pumps go on and off, when there is a breech of a doorway when the alarm system is set. It also sends emails, and texts of pictures from the camera's if the alarm goes off.

Everything is automated to follow a schedule in which I can change at anytime from a remote location using the free version of logmein. As well as watching camera's from my cell phone when out and about.

If anybody is intrested I can post more on this subject. Either PM me or post here and I can do a full right up on it.
 
Keenan

Keenan

Member
I would love to see more detail on your setup. Does x10 have a api at all? It would be interesting ti see what kind of remote monitoring tools could be built around this.

Thinking two steps ahead, i wish somewhat reasonably priced usb ph & tds meters existed... Unforrunately all i have seen are big money.
 
Howard Stern

Howard Stern

Well-Known Member
I would love to see how much somthing like this would cost! Also do you have to have someone come in and install it? If so they might be able to keep an eye on your grow room and know when to come in and take your harvest.
 
Y

Youngbudd

Member
Keenan said:
I would love to see more detail on your setup. Does x10 have a api at all? It would be interesting ti see what kind of remote monitoring tools could be built around this.

Thinking two steps ahead, i wish somewhat reasonably priced usb ph & tds meters existed... Unforrunately all i have seen are big money.
Click to expand...
Yes it has a very nice but sometime confusing API... Working on PH and TDS integration but I am currently getting a system that independently controls the the PH and monitors the TDS to is designed for a Fish Tank, around $250 for that setup. But I will be able to monitor the levels via the Camera. :-P As far remote monitoring anything that is data feedback has to be monitored via the camera system or the computer monitor using logmein software.

Howard Stern said:
I would love to see how much somthing like this would cost! Also do you have to have someone come in and install it? If so they might be able to keep an eye on your grow room and know when to come in and take your harvest.
Click to expand...
As far as cost I think 4 camera's, and all of the AHP plug in's, switches, and what not cost me around $500 and I did all the work on it so nobody has been in the room to know where any of the controls are hidden.

Working on a write up now.
 
Y

Youngbudd

Member
I will throw this in my Journal so I am C&P the first part.

Computer controlled Grow and Bloom Room
Anybody else doing this. I have a computer set up to control all of my Pumps, Lights, Tempature, Light Mover, Camera's (3), flood lights, security lights, and Alarm system.

The system is based from X10, and X10's ActiveHome Pro software. I get text messages as lights go on and off, when pumps go on and off, when there is a breech of a doorway when the alarm system is set. It also sends emails, and texts of pictures from the camera's if the alarm goes off.

Everything is automated to follow a schedule in which I can change at anytime from a remote location using the free version of logmein. As well as watching camera's from my cell phone when out and about.

This is the GrowRoom set up in AHP (ActiveHome Pro)

Second half


This is where the cameras are controlled at.


Here is the Alarm system. Setup with Door switches (2 on each door front and back) as well as a motion sensor on the outside door, in the back room, and in the main room (main room motion is deactivated during the time when the light mover is on)


The Macro Control this will run everything except for record and take snap shots, incase the computer is down or has rebooted. It also sends control signals wireless via the antenna and through the power lines for increased distance.


A couple of my pump controls. Fill Pump and Drain Pump


This is my light controls (the black ones are both 220v for my HPS's), light mover and 8inch duct fan for cooling lights.


Camera #1 back yard in front of the Greenhouse.


Camera #2 Front Door inside


Camera #3 This is a centered camera on a pan and tilt system. It is setup to pan and till to set points in the room. This is set point #3 so I can see the Temp, Humidity, and time of the room remotely.


This is a Door sensor I converted to use as a signal to turn on a remote A/C window unit across the room. Its attached to a thermostat that is setup for on and off temps. (since there is no current solution for X10 automation this is the alternative that I came up with)


This is an example of the Macro Setup. This one shows the fill pump (code B8 to turn on, running for 13 mins, then turn off, wait 1 min and then turn on the drain pump (for 8 mins but you cant see that)


Ok with all that said. My room runs pretty much untouched except for nutes and bugs. As I said before Everything is run from the system. In the long run I will install a dump pump and be able to dump remotely or on schedule as well as adding pre-measured nutes.
One other thing is I am looking at is a metering devise to measure in mL so it would be possible to Drain the 55 gal tank add the water from my RO system and add nutes without touching it. About 6 months off of doing that deal.

On the alarm system it is setup, when armed, it will record the first camera so see who is coming in, then switch to the second camera to get a good pic, then to the number 3 camera to see whats going on the rest of the time. It also sends pictures and video to my email, and pictures to my Cell as well as tell me what door or motion sensor is triggered. It records for 5 mins (which can be changed) I also have a undisclosed amount of IR lights inside and out that come on and make the place look like daytime when the main lights are off at night when the alarm is triggered.


Not sure how much in more detail I can go without getting into the programming. Everything can be adjusted, including how long the anything is on and when it comes on.





​
 
mystifiedbongs

mystifiedbongs

Well-Known Member
yeah wow... were you able to keep smoking when you designed and set this up? i get way to high, sober im confident i'd be able to accomplish this, but stoned... which is all day, i dont even wanna try to figure it out. impressed i am...
 
H

Hillcrest

Active Member
Love it. Can you hook me up with links to interfaces etc you've used (places purchased). Plus did you purchase this app ? search via W#rez etc and can't find free.
Was looking at Shiva interfaces (for many years lol) but £2000 for basic controll interface is alittle overboard for me..... but this system looks a bit more price happy for a bit of playtime.
 
zem

zem

Well-Known Member
very nice! what type of relay does the software trigger in order to run the electric? where do you plug it? do you use the old parallel port?
 
Y

Youngbudd

Member
mystifiedbongs said:
yeah wow... were you able to keep smoking when you designed and set this up? i get way to high, sober im confident i'd be able to accomplish this, but stoned... which is all day, i dont even wanna try to figure it out. impressed i am...
Click to expand...
Yah I only do it a little, mostly I supply 4 cancer patients, and 2 chronic pain users. I love California for this ability not much else though.


Hillcrest said:
Love it. Can you hook me up with links to interfaces etc you've used (places purchased). Plus did you purchase this app ? search via W#rez etc and can't find free.
Was looking at Shiva interfaces (for many years lol) but £2000 for basic controll interface is alittle overboard for me..... but this system looks a bit more price happy for a bit of playtime.
Click to expand...
There is a EU division of this company but this is the one that I use here in the US. www.x10.com
The App is included in some of the package deals. Really this system is made to control things in your house, exp TV's, lights, entertainment system, blah blah blah... But it works awesome for this application.

zem said:
very nice! what type of relay does the software trigger in order to run the electric? where do you plug it? do you use the old parallel port?
Click to expand...
The software does everything wirelessly sort of, it uses the electric lines as the code carrier. Basically it takes the place of the wall plug. The boxes go into the socket and then you plug your devise into that. Everything is modern its is actually USB integrated.

All of your devise boxes have codes that can be programmed via a rotary dial on the controller, there is a HOUSE code (a,b,c,d,e....) and a unit number (1,2,3,4,5...) 16 house codes and 16 unit codes under each house code so 256 devises can be programmed within the system.


If somebody does end up getting this system or need a list of things to get, I am more than will to help. Also I will help anybody write some code or setup Macro's on what ever you are trying to get working once you get your system.

This is kinda the Techy Nerd shit I am into so its fun for me.
 
hellraizer30

hellraizer30

Rebel From The North
NP im hoping to get up to speed on this, never thought the hole setup could be controled like this, I hav one concern can anybody tap
into it?
 
Y

Youngbudd

Member
hellraizer30 said:
NP im hoping to get up to speed on this, never thought the hole setup could be controled like this, I hav one concern can anybody tap
into it?
Click to expand...
The wireless can be viewed if they have the codes to the cameras and a receiver for this product, its not something that can be viewed from a computer unless they have the receiver for it. As far as the Switched plugs go No unless you have a controller and its plugged into your house you will not be able to see or modify anything.
 
W

Wisccokid

Active Member
Youngbudd said:
Yah I only do it a little, mostly I supply 4 cancer patients, and 2 chronic pain users. I love California for this ability not much else though.




There is a EU division of this company but this is the one that I use here in the US. www.x10.com
The App is included in some of the package deals. Really this system is made to control things in your house, exp TV's, lights, entertainment system, blah blah blah... But it works awesome for this application.



The software does everything wirelessly sort of, it uses the electric lines as the code carrier. Basically it takes the place of the wall plug. The boxes go into the socket and then you plug your devise into that. Everything is modern its is actually USB integrated.

All of your devise boxes have codes that can be programmed via a rotary dial on the controller, there is a HOUSE code (a,b,c,d,e....) and a unit number (1,2,3,4,5...) 16 house codes and 16 unit codes under each house code so 256 devises can be programmed within the system.


If somebody does end up getting this system or need a list of things to get, I am more than will to help. Also I will help anybody write some code or setup Macro's on what ever you are trying to get working once you get your system.

This is kinda the Techy Nerd shit I am into so its fun for me.
Click to expand...

Young Budd this is what I was looking for! I am starting my indoor top feed tray system after 10 years was the best hobby I ever had. Believe it or not I was using ActiveHome software and still have it as well as some lamp modules. Unfortunately the software disk will not load in my newer computer so I need the pro version do I also need the fire cracker too? My 4x4 tent is pretty simple just can't find those black appliance modules for the 400w have a wireless camera and reciever to check ph temp etc. need to stop my fan when c02 time and would like temp to activate the fan when too hot. Modules needed for pump several times per day. Do I need that firecracker and video software too? Seems like every package the include a programmer any help woul be appreciated.
 
W

Wisccokid

Active Member
Here are the items I need to control and have. The x10 website is difficult to figure out. I couldn't even find the black heavy duty modules you have in the pic. I remember this was a very reliable system back then now with the remote access and light programming I am way excited. I have a broadband hotspot in the house because we live In the stick with no DSL so not sure if remote will work but even at the property would still be better than the mechanical timers. Thanks


1. Light 400w 2
2. Pump
3. Fans 2
4. C02
5. Camera 2 (have 1 wireless)
6. Motion detector (have 2)
7. Reciever (have wireless)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top