The Growtronix automation system is one of the most advanced greenhouse and grow room controllers available on the market today. The system is modular in design consisting of sensors and devices. The software
(which runs on a Windows PC) constantly monitors
the sensors and controls the devices.
Devices are generally relay outlets or computer /
software controlled outlets that allow you to turn on and off common devices
such as your lighting, fans, heaters, pumps, co2 regulator and co2 Burner
(de)humidifiers, sulfur burners, misters,or any other 120v device. The sensors
that are currently available include: Temperature Sensors, Co2 Sensors, Humidity
Sensors, Ph Sensors, EC/TDS Conductivity Sensors, Light Sensors, Reservoir
Temperature Sensors, Reservoir Level Sensors (float sensors). The devices or
relays are controlled by the system to maintain your desired levels. There are
also safety sensors available such as the smoke detectors and flood detectors,
these items being monitored and controlled if smoke is detected you can have the
system turn off all devices and send a text message to your cellphone and even
call 911 if desired. Or if a flood is detected the pumps can be turned off and a
text message, email or phone call dispatched. Then there are the security
devices the door and window sensor which detect open and closed doors and the
motion detector. These too can be setup to send
a text mes
sage or email, or can be used to turn on a device such as a siren. The
relay outlet devices can be used as a cyclestat or Cycle Timer to control the
device based on time, day of week, or a cycle such as your lighting 18/6, 12/12
, 12/6, 12/8, 12/4.2 or any other light timing. A device setup as a timer can
easily be controlled down to 1 second if desired. There is no limit to the
combination of cycle timing. Cycles for irrigation such as ever 20 minutes turn
on the pumps for 1 minute and 5 seconds is a snap. Co2 control cycles can be
done where Co2 is only dispensed if the temperatures are in check and the fans
are off and it's not dark. The combinations are endless yet still very easy to
setup. The level of control is unmatched by any other system and is sure to both
increase yield and quality of the harvest.There are also plenty of extra features that go above and beyond the simple control of the system. The system if desired can be remotely connected to and controlled from the internet. The newest version supports monitoring multiple web cams with a promise from the company to have timelapse feature available shortly. Another great feature is the QuickView which allows nearly ANY cellphone with basic internet access to remotely monitor AND control the system. YES you read correctly you can turn on and off anything connected to the
system. Check in on your system from anywhere with cellphone
access! There is even an "Emergency Off" button/link, the
re's nothing like having the ability to shut everything down
right in your pocket. And of course the system can send you text messages or
emails letting you know about pretty much anything to do with the system. Here
are some text message examples of the possibilities:There is a Flood Detected.
The Front Door has just Opened and the siren has been turned on
Room2 Window Has just Opened
The Flood cycle has started
The lights are now on (useful for non-24 hour days)
The lights are now off (useful for non 24 hour days)
Motion Detected in back room
Temperature has raised above 100 degree's, lights have been shutdown
All Systems are currently up and functioning properly (get a status report every so often just to know all systems are up and running.)
The text messages are 100% customizable. You can send a message for just about any reason you could reasonably think of. A novel use of the system is to use it as a reminder system, such as setup a weekly timer and a time of day timer for exmaple every wednesday at noon send a text message that says "Make sure to flush the reservoir today." or ever day at 5 pm mon-friday "mist the plants" The possibilities really are endless you could make a crazy one where if the temperature is above 100 and the fan is on and its a Tuesday and there is a flood and smoke is detected you get a text message saying "Tuesdays really not your day"
Onto more features
Many are surprised at the usefulness of the graphing feature. If desired the system will store the data from the sensors and record when a device is turned on and off. This data can then be plotted on graphs. Once you have a few days of data how your grow behaves really pops out at you. You can see through the dark period exact what temperature it was and for how long. Then when the lights come on you see the temperature go higher...not long after you can see the exhaust system kick in and the temperature go down and then back up hovering right in your desired level. You can then add the humidity and see that as the temperature increases the humidity decree's. This gives the grower an insight into how his growing area and equipment react with the environment and ultimately allows him to fine tune the settings to tune in the optimal conditions for the plant type and genetic desires. This is where yield and quality increases comes in when a plant is given the exact conditions it need for the entire length of the growing season the plants respond with increased yield of a higher quality end product. It's simply the appliance of science study upon study has shown that a well controlled growing area increases both yield and quality substantially.
Another huge feature just recently added to the system is the Grow Journal. This provides a huge range of tools. It's a calendar based system which grabs its data from the database. When a day is selecte
d
the min, max and average of the sensors is displayed as well as the total on and
off times for the devices, further the since the system knows how long a relay
was on for it can estimate the electrical cost of running the system. There is
also a section for storing daily notes which surprisingly for being such a
simple thing apparently can increase yield as writing down your daily thinking
as to the condition of the plants and your general plan can allow you to make
better decision and thereby increase yeild and quality. There is something to be
said about that. The system also provides for storing daily images. These can be
useful for diagnosing and tracking the treatment of a nutrient deficiency. Being
able to observe the images over time has proven to allow the grower to make more
informed decisions about the well being of the plant. Many times after a
treatment the changes take effect so slowly the grower has to depend on a memory
of the condition of the plant that he's look at many times since the treatment
was started and decide if its better or worse. The Growtronix Grow Journal
addresses this in an organized way. The Grow Journal also features a Grow Timer.
This is a timer that is setup by choosing a starting date and an ending date. If
the plant being grown has a known blooming period such as 80 days you can set
the bloom initiation date and the date for 80 days ahead and the system will
display the time you've been blooming and the time until the estimated finsh
date. No more trying to remember and counting on the calendar. This is a really
useful feature.This has been the short list of the possibilities that the Growtronix system provides.
Maximum Yield (May-June 2007 page 104):
"The Growtronix Automation System provides the highest degree of cutting edge control over your growing environment."
"The possibilities are staggering; the system allows a level of control, flexibility and piece of mind that cannot be realized with conventional methods."
Please visit www.Growtronix.com for more information.