CO2 controller, Timer Vs Computer

[EuroToker]

I got offered a good deal on some cool tubes, so I figure its time to buy an AC unit.
big co2 tank with regulator and electric solenoid.


I've noticed many co2 controllers are basically just sophisticated timers and aren't sensors.
My Question is if I can just use a timer similar to the ones used for aero feedings or something?

 

[MarquisBlack]

A repeat cycle timer is going to cost > $50, but honestly, using CO2 with a timer is a waste. The only way to do this properly with a timer is to rig up an exhaust fan so that every 3 hours or so the room is cleared of all CO2, so that you can reinject without overshooting your goal. This involves a special "timer" style CO2 controller or simply two digital timers. Personally, I used timed CO2 for two cycles and I had problems with overshooting and exceding 2000ppm when I tested. (Using a CO2 test syringe)

Now, if you want to drop a proper bit of change between 400 and 500 dollars, you can get a nice CO2 controller with Fuzzy Logic and a PPM sensor.

I personally went with the Sentinel C-PPM 1 and I'm never looking back. Though I hear great things about the CAP PPM-2A. The CAP PPM 3 I believe is rather notorious for being incompatible with Digital Ballasts, something to do with RF interference.

 

[sparkjumper]

I'd like to take it a step further and explain why using a controller is a must if you want results.I grew for awhile with a cd-6 propane burner on a cyclestat timer.The cyclestat controls length and duration of burn calculated using room size.The problem is it doesnt take into account size,number and phase of plants in the room,only the room size.This results in pretty wild swings in co2 which virtually makes it ineffective.I confirmed this with syringe type co2 tester kit.When I started using my PPM-3 my fluctuation was no more than 150PPM when set at 1500PPM and the results started literally piling up lol.Its just so important I spun my whells for a long time getting normal not enriched results.Get a controller for your system.I've been using the PPM-3 with 3 magnetic ballasts 1K's for 2 years now with no problems.

 

[MarquisBlack]

I'd like to take it a step further and explain why using a controller is a must if you want results.I grew for awhile with a cd-6 propane burner on a cyclestat timer.The cyclestat controls length and duration of burn calculated using room size.The problem is it doesnt take into account size,number and phase of plants in the room,only the room size.This results in pretty wild swings in co2 which virtually makes it ineffective.I confirmed this with syringe type co2 tester kit.When I started using my PPM-3 my fluctuation was no more than 150PPM when set at 1500PPM and the results started literally piling up lol.Its just so important I spun my whells for a long time getting normal not enriched results.Get a controller for your system.I've been using the PPM-3 with 3 magnetic ballasts 1K's for 2 years now with no problems.

Oh yea, the difference is like night and day. To be honest, it seems very plausible that using CO2 improperly can severely diminish yields, at least with respect to the expected increase one would expect their first time using the gas. To the point of being less productive than a grow environment with normal CO2 levels that's ventilated well, even.

 

[EuroToker]

So it would basically be better to continue doing intake/outtake until I can buy a ppm controller?

 

[HellaFella420]

ppm controlers are for accurate\precesion dosing how accurate do you want/need to be?


Two digital timers, not fancy, from Wal-mart even set them in sync with eachother
One is for co2 valve [or generator] the other is for intake/exhaust fans

do the math figure, your cu^3 and coorelated co2 flow needs, mine for instance is 10 minutes and thats a bit "rounded-up" or overenriched

Say lights come on @ 8pm, I like to give them an hour to "wake-up" and start metabolising, then my exhaust timer shuts off @ 9pm, at the same time, my co2 timer comes on for its 10 minute dump, exhaust stays off till 9:50 when it runs for 10 minutes to cool and refresh the room, lather, rinse, repeat

The individual times will depend [and need adjusted accordingly] for the size of your room and for outside ambient air temperature ie. in the winter I may only exhaust for 2 minutes before the room temp is back where i want it, and in the summer, I may need 15-20 minutes for proper cooling for instance....


I use this method [and a dozen or so other i know personally] because I havent found a co2 controller on the market that has a "zone" programmed into its thermostatic control

for instance the one i have now "CAP co2-4" or some shit wants to maintain the temp\humidity i have set, so it is cycling on/off every 10 minutes or so, hitting its setpoint, dropping the air temp like 3 degrees, sensing that ~3degree drop and turning off/flooding the co2 again....this is retarded, it blew a 25lb tank in ONE PHOTOPERIOD

When really I want it to hit its setpoint, THEN exhaust like ~10^f below that setting, so that there is time for the co2 to SIT before the exhaust comes back on!!

To ACHEIVE desired ^^^^^ results, we have had to utilize the dual timer approach....


Now if im outta the loop, or there IS a product on the market that does what I desire, i WOULD totally like to know abotu it, but I already have 2x$12 timers, so I aint gonna be buying one!!

 

[sparkjumper]

I dont use intake or exhaust fans and I dont think I'd get the same results if I tried.Exhausting a room with 1500PPM co2 simply to replenish it doesnt make sense to me.Its not like the plants need fresh air or something.My controller is set for 1500PPM,when it drops to 1450 the burner kicks in and burns until it reaches 1500PPM,not very long.The co2 level will continue to rise usually a little over 1600PPM after the burner kicks off,then slowly drops back down to 1450 where it kicks the generator back in.12 straight hours of co2 between 1450 and 1600 PPM,very little fluctuation,the absolute key.

 

[HellaFella420]

You live in teh arctic? What do you do about heat accumulation then Mr. 12hour co2 dump?

would be nice!

 

[MarquisBlack]

A/C I'm assuming?