vertical octagon diy parts list and how to guide

[Ravi Singh]

It's coming soon, DHF.........coming very soon

This is my project for the weekend..........accumulator tank and solenoids should be here today/tomorrow, then ultra short cycle timer and pump early next week.

Gonna try to wire and situate all this shit in the meantime, though........and just got done cutting 15' of 3" PVC to make a new (smaller) base for the octo.

Busy weekend ahead.

 

[Ravi Singh]

Here's the brains of the system........

 

[Carboy]

What accumulator and pressure switch did you go with? Is that brass piece on the outside the regulator?
Could have missed it but what psi do you plan to run?
Box looks good!

 

[Ravi Singh]

Went with a 4.4 gallon accumulator, as it was the only one I could find (in the U.S.) that was rated for 150PSI.

Pressure switch is from Grainger, factory set for a 100 cut in and 125 cut out (so that's where I'm planning on running).

 

[Carboy]

Went with a 4.4 gallon accumulator, as it was the only one I could find (in the U.S.) that was rated for 150PSI.

Pressure switch is from Grainger, factory set for a 100 cut in and 125 cut out (so that's where I'm planning on running).

Need an opinion on this--
http://www.amazon.com/Backstop-Ther...UTF8&coliid=I67MWVL8QZTUA&colid=28DYM50J0CV3O
I know it says thermal expansion but rated 150 psi and it is a diaphragm tank. This is large enough for me. There is another model bigger.
Don't know if there are differences that would exclude it or not?

Using a demand pump, i was thinking about going w/ a regulator set below max pump psi and foregoing a pressure switch altogether. Any fault in that logic? Disadvantages?
Any good sources for appropriate solenoids would great too.
Appreciate the help, opinions and options -------- CB

 

[Ravi Singh]

That's the exact same tank I got, but I got the A-102, which is 4.4 gallons - as far as I know, that's the only manufacturer stateside that has their tanks rated to 150PSI - that tank is fine, but depending on your application bigger may be better - FYI, I got my 4.4 gallon for $39 on eBay ($50 all-in delivered).

"Using a demand pump, i was thinking about going w/ a regulator set below max pump psi and foregoing a pressure switch altogether. Any fault in that logic? Disadvantages?"

I'm not really sure what you're asking here - what kind of "regulator" are you using? If you're simply using a high pressure cut out to control the pump, then what will turn it back on? Or, will that high pressure cut out not control the power to the pump, and the pump will simply be running 24/7? Either way, sounds like a bad idea..........spend the money for a quality external pressure switch, you'll be better off.

If you don't feel like buying an external pressure switch, buy a pump with a built-in pressure switch (they're notoriously unreliable and can drift pretty badly, but it's better than your idea, IMO) - my pump has a pressure switch set to 115-150, FYI.

As far as solenoids go, I get all mine from eBay............probably bought 15 from them in the past year. For this project, I have four 12V 3/8" solenoids I bought for like $8/piece (bought these when I was planning on using a 12V timer), and then I have four 120V 1/4" solenoids that I got for $16/piece.

You really need to check the specs when buying solenoids (depending on how high you're going with your PSI), because their max PSI can differ dramatically from model to model.

The link below is from the vendor I've used for all my solenoid purchases except for the 12V ones - he's cheap, ships quick, and the product is quality.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-4-Electric-So...606?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a492a46e

Anything else, just ask.

 

[Carboy]

Explanation

Explanation

RS,

I'm not really sure what you're asking here - what kind of "regulator" are you using? If you're simply using a high pressure cut out to control the pump, then what will turn it back on? Or, will that high pressure cut out not control the power to the pump, and the pump will simply be running 24/7? Either way, sounds like a bad idea..........spend the money for a quality external pressure switch, you'll be better off.

I'll try to explain a little better. I screwed up and said 'demand' when I meant 'switched'. And that makes it a different animal.
Look at it as this series: Pump -> Accumulator -> Pressure regulator -> Solenoid/Nozzles. Pump runs until fills accumulator and reaches let's say 150psi. The regulator is adjustable and we have it set at 100. Nozzles spray at that 100 psi consistently. The pump and acc. are running more or less independent. Pump is say kicking on at 115 and off at 150. Psi fluctuates -- no matter, we get a constant 100 at the nozzle because of the regulator. http://www.mcmaster.com/#polypropylene-pressure-regulators/=au43ni Third one down: 0-125 out and up to 300 psi in.
Just like an air regulator on a compressor. Might want to turn it down to paint or up for a nail gun. With constant control, the same is delivered all the time. A 5 sec. spray should deliver the same volume of liquid (or air) every cycle.
Again, it does change everything when using a demand pump --- sorry I messed that up w/ my previously posted question.

Thanks for the solenoid link -- I'll look it over. I'm sure I'll have more questions and won't hesistate to get back to you.
Your patience is appreciated. CB

 

[Ravi Singh]

Ohhhh, I get you now.........a pressure regulator (dar dee dee dar, I'm a retard)

Um yeah, that should work okay, but again, you're relying on the pump's pressure switch which is notoriously wiggity wack (I'm drunk, go figure)..........anyhow, that's what the dude who I copied my box setup off of did - for me, I have no problem going from 100-125PSI, because either way that water is coming out misted without problems.........as long as you get a pump that will cut out ~125PSI(ish), you should have no problem running that pressure regulator.

I don't understand how things work well enough to know if a pressure switch is better than a regulator, but I'm going the switch route..........and I'll gladly answer whatever questions you have, but remember I'm about two weeks into this whole HP aero shit and I'm probably slightly less clueless than you are........

EDIT: I don't think I'm seeing the one you're looking at - can you try to link it again? I can't find any on that page that go up to 100PSI......

 

[Carboy]

Ohhhh, I get you now.........a pressure regulator

EDIT: I don't think I'm seeing the one you're looking at - can you try to link it again? I can't find any on that page that go up to 100PSI......

Delrin Miniature Pressure Regulators
Small size and Delrin (acetal) body make these perfect for tight spaces requiring light weight and corrosion resistance. Use with process water and deionized water. Diaphragm is Buna-N. Furnished with a 1/4" NPT female gauge port and a bottom clean-out plug for servicing. Color is black. Maximum inlet pressure is 300 psi. Temp. range is 33° to 150° F. Connections: NPT female or instant tube fittings. Please specify outlet pressure range from those listed.

NPT Female
Connection Available Outlet Port-to-
Size Pressure Ranges, psi Port Lg. Each
With NPT Female Connections
1/4" NPT 0-25, 0-60, 0-125 1 9/16"
8113K11 $42.02
With Instant Tube Fittings
For 1/4" OD Tube 0-25, 0-60, 0-125 1 9/16"
8113K41 42.02

EDIT: Saw this on RIU
That's the main reason I'm switching back to recirculating from my original idea of a drain to waste - I'll probably have to water more than is "optimal" to ensure all plants get fed, so doing a drain to waste would've been too large of a waste of water for my liking.
Stick w/ DTW !!!
More details when I can PM ya

 

[Ravi Singh]

Lemme know when yas kick da thread off......I`m sure you`re ready as long as it`s been since this thing`s been in the works.......Good luck my buddy and.....

Handle it BS/RS......DHF............

Here you go, bro - would love for you to stop by

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=204946

 

[Ravi Singh]

EDIT: Saw this on RIU
That's the main reason I'm switching back to recirculating from my original idea of a drain to waste - I'll probably have to water more than is "optimal" to ensure all plants get fed, so doing a drain to waste would've been too large of a waste of water for my liking.
Stick w/ DTW !!!
More details when I can PM ya

Yeah bro, given the choice of course I'd prefer to DTW, but only time will tell how feasible that will be for this setup.

I have a pretty uniquely small reservoir as it is - it's four gallons, feeding 90 plants which should all be .5 - 1 ounce dried weight (hopefully).

Obviously there's a top off reservoir (60 gallons); anyhow, just gonna have to see if all the plants can get watered/fed properly using short enough misting times and long enough pauses so that DTW becomes feasible.

Right now I'm running about 4.5 seconds per minute (just to make sure all plants get fully rooted), and it'd be impossible to do DTW using that much water.

 

[blueberrydrumz]

great thread, had the same concept in my head & on paper, but always good to see it built - still dont know if the roots if just "hanging" in the tubes will be fine, or if hydroton should be inside... oh well will check out RS thread...

 

[GoozMan]

No medium and don't look back

No medium and don't look back

great thread, had the same concept in my head & on paper, but always good to see it built - still dont know if the roots if just "hanging" in the tubes will be fine, or if hydroton should be inside... oh well will check out RS thread...

I'm so glad you bumped this thread, I had forgotten about it. This was the inspiration for my garden's redesign. With my micro- version of this I can tell you that there is no problem with letting the roots hang in space. Personally, after my clones leave the propagation tray they go into a DWC bubbler to get some longer roots and then into the columns. Everything is in 2" netcups and root plugs. I love not using medium anymore. I reuse the same 40 netcups over and over, and I just have to buy the plugs - I use Root Riot because they fit snugly into a 2" netcup, and my garden uses 3" ABS but with 2" 45s for a snug fit. I played around with a layer of hydroton on top of the root riot plug and have found it totally unnecessary. I was afraid before trying it that there wouldn't be enough support with just a root plug and a 2" netcup but that has not been the case at all. For my current round I grew seeds and so only have 4 of 16 sites filled, so I vegged longer and my plants now are way bigger than they'll need to be when all 16 sites are filled, and still no problems with roots clogging the 3" drain pipes or the netcup+root plug combo not being sturdy enough.

 

[blueberrydrumz]

greet info goozman, thank you! looks like i will be setting up in the next 2 weeks... will start a grow log.... peace