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Greenhouse Timer Selection Help please!

Posts: 14

Location: Ridgeway, VA

posted 11 years ago

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I have a greenhouse that is hot hot hot! In trying to bring the temperature down during the height of heat during the day, I have installed a 40% reflective shade cloth, more than ample circulation fans, and an evaporative cooling system. The misting kit is extremely effective in bringing down the temperature. I have tried four different timers in search of the right one. Ideally the timer would allow for selective spraying at the peak times of the day. The items sold from lowes are at best a 4 hour cycle time between waterings. The orbit ones are 6hr minimum time between cycles.

Does anybody know of a hose timer that allows for complete programability?

Scott Vernon
Sustainable Homestead Institute Founder
www.SustainableHomestead.com

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4022

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

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posted 11 years ago

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if you have a little talent, you can rig one up using a 120v plug timer and one of these: https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=20-1483&catname=water

There is a lot more choices for quick repeats in electrical timers.

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Scott Vernon

Posts: 14

Location: Ridgeway, VA

posted 11 years ago

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I guess I don't have any talent because I have been thinking about this all day.

Is this a mixing valve? What is the small tube off the end? Does it open the two screw connections and go out the smaller end? I have never seen one of these before so I'm not sure how it all fits together.

If I plugged the side, I could use both valves like one valve and attach them to a plug in timer. If that is what you were suggesting, that is very smart and incredibly cheap. I checked 3/4in solenoids and they were like $100 bucks. How would I connect the solenoid to a plug in?

Is this what you were suggesting R?

Scott Vernon
Sustainable Homestead Institute Founder
www.SustainableHomestead.com

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4022

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

284

posted 11 years ago

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Those are the inlet valves for a washing machine. The small tube out the side is the outlet. The screw connectors are hot and cold in. You can leave one side open or capped, consider it a spare. Or you can run each on different timers for different functions, like extra cycles if the temp gets over a certain temp.

They aren't made to take pressure on the outlet, but I didn't have a problem with it.

Scott Vernon

Posts: 14

Location: Ridgeway, VA

posted 11 years ago

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Alright I get it. I found this timer available today. http://www.mrdrip.com/710075P--Battery-Operated-Propagation-Timer-with-34-Valve_p_490.html The problem is using the proper keyword for searching. I guess it is a called a propitiation timer. It is more expensive, but should work precisely. I will post the results once it is installed.

Scott Vernon
Sustainable Homestead Institute Founder
www.SustainableHomestead.com

David Hartley

Posts: 258

posted 11 years ago

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I have yet to do it myself... Yet... But plan on using this method:

Air tanks! Air tanks connected to hydralic arms that actuate vents. As the air expands from the heat of the day, it extends the arms, which opens the vents. Obviously some tweeking would be needed. But; once set up properly, it would be fully automated

Anyone have hands-on experience doing this???

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