Environmental controls

I am at the level where environmental controller would be a nice. What brand would you go for? And would you go with a master controller that controls everything or would you piece it together using multiple systems?

I was running a sentinel box for a bit but it took a shit halfway thru my run so now everything is run separately. I think I prefer not having it all run thru one unit. When the sentinel died it could have ruined my whole crop if I I didn’t notice.

sf_frankie said:

I was running a sentinel box for a bit but it took a shit halfway thru my run so now everything is run separately. I think I prefer not having it all run thru one unit. When the sentinel died it could have ruined my whole crop if I I didn’t notice.

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That's a good point, that I didn't even consider.

Thankfully I prepped for that. I can monitor humidity and temp from my phone and even though im sealed I’ve got an emergency exhaust fan that I can turn on from my phone. I noticed a major humidity spike while i was at work one day and tuned the fan on till I got home. Once I got home I found out why, the box failed. I’ve now got a co2 controller and use the minisplit Built in thermostat and dehueys built in hygrometer. Haven’t had a single issue since

Gotcha. Sounds like a dependable setup. About how much would you say u put into it. And does either one that u named run your lights or do you have a total different 1 for that.

I’ve got a separate Autopilot light controller. The lights are 220v and then it has a 110v trigger that’s hooked up to a cheap amazon smart switch. It’s got a built in timer function but I can also turn it on/off manually via my phone or google home. Think I’ve invested around $5,000 in the entire build. That includes lights and Minisplit plus I did my own electrical work. If I didn’t DIY everything it would probably be closer to $10k

simple plug n play

All in one controllers are smarter, for example able to disable CO2 enrichment when venting.

I like the Autopilot and Titan controllers.

If you are running CO2 they have a version with a repeat cycle timer and a more expensive version with a PPM sensor. Obviously there is a cost difference and the one with the sensor is preferred.

If using a CO2 tank you want a CO2 controller with fuzzy logic mode.

Renfro said:

All in one controllers are smarter, for example able to disable CO2 enrichment when venting.

I like the Autopilot and Titan controllers.

If you are running CO2 they have a version with a repeat cycle timer and a more expensive version with a PPM sensor. Obviously there is a cost difference and the one with the sensor is preferred.

If using a CO2 tank you want a CO2 controller with fuzzy logic mode.

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Just listen to him^

He knows his shit better than anyone on here. I only did what I did out of necessity

sf_frankie said:

I was running a sentinel box for a bit but it took a shit halfway thru my run so now everything is run separately. I think I prefer not having it all run thru one unit. When the sentinel died it could have ruined my whole crop if I I didn’t notice.

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I can totally understand the logic for granularity, I have long been a believer in component stereo audio systems going back to the 70's. If your tape player broke you weren't out your FM tuner or your amplifier. lol

When it comes to environmental controllers the all in one variety can sometimes be accomplished with granular components provided they are designed to work this way. For example, a cooling controller that has a receptacle for the possible CO2 controller to be plugged into, this CO2 receptacle powers down when the cooling receptacle (fan or AC) is powered up for temperature reasons. Thing is though it usually ends up being cheaper in the long run to just get the all in one due to the cost of the added boxes, cables, receptacles, contactors and whatnot involved in making the granular components.

The key here is get a quality reliable controller, hopefully it doesn't shit a brick. If running a big commercial grow you probably have a spare on the shelf in the parts closet along with a few spare ballasts, lamps, fans... stuff that when it fails you want to replace it now.

I recently got the trolmaster hydro x. It's nice the only downside is that it does cost a bit to buy all the seperate sensors but Im really happy with it.

I picked up a cheap harvest master co2 easi not long ago hope get it running dialed in