Intelli Climate The smart grow room climate controller

Introduction to the IntelliClimateTM grow room controller

The IntelliClimate is, without doubt, the most advanced and user friendly grow room
environment controller on the market. It has a wide range of possible applications
which we will discuss briefly in this section. In order to keep the user interface as
simple as possible, only the readings and settings relevant to the selected features are
displayed on the controllers LCD and on the PC computer. To add extra features you
have to select them by going into the configure menus on either the controller or the
PC. Features.
A full specification is attached as appendix 1. Here we will review the main features
available to you. Remember, to enable any feature mentioned you will need to go into
the configuration menus on either the controller or PC to select them. When the
controller is supplied it is normally pre-set as a simple fan cooled environment
controller with CO2 injection disabled.
The controller can operate in a number of modes ranging from a simple cycle timed
mode to a sophisticated system that makes optimal use of a range of attached
equipment. After installing the unit, you need to enter the configuration section and
select (check) all the equipment that you have connected. Once the controller knows
what you have attached to it, it will automatically select the most appropriate mode of
operation.
Lighting. The controller can switch two light banks. It is always a good idea to split
your lights into two groups. Firstly, when using both banks together, it allows the
controller to stagger the switch on times so that the power surge from the first bank
has subsided by the time the second bank comes on. Secondly, during the vegetative
phase of growth, the lights are on for longer periods (18hours) but a lower intensity
may be used. The controller has the ability to switch on one bank and alternate the
banks each day. This ensures that the plants receive light from both sides. If, when
one bank is turned on, the light sensor detects a low light level the controller assumes
that that bank is out of action (bulb blown) and automatically switches on the other
bank. If alarms are enabled, then it will alert you to the fact that a light has failed.
Similarly, if a power failure occurs, the controller has a settable detent before bringing
the lights back on in stages. This is extremely useful when you have more than one
grow room as all the lights can be sequenced to come on one by one to avoid a huge
power surge. In addition, the controller automatically checks the duration of the
power outage and ensures that minimum cool down periods are complied with. This
has a significant impact on lamp life.
For those using air cooled lights, it is possible to fit small over-temperature cut-offs to
avoid them overheating if the cooling fans should ever fail.
Hint:- fit the cooling fan to blow air through the light fittings rather than suck out the
hot air. This way the fans run cooler and last a lot longer.
Fans. The fans may be used for cooling, humidity reduction, air changes and to bring
in ambient CO2 (if CO2 injection is not used). During the day when CO2 is being
injected, other means to control temperature or humidity will be used in preference to
© 2006 Autogrow Systems Ltd V 1.8 5
the fans which will only be used to force an occasional air change and provide a fail
safe in the event that the aircon or dehumidifier fails.
For simple systems that have CO2 injection but do not have aircon or
dehumidification, the controller will operate as a cycle timer system with three timed
phases 1) fans on, 2) inject CO2 and 3) wait while plants absorb CO2 then repeat cycle.
In this mode the controller will self adjust the timings if it finds that CO2 is being
wasted due to the fans being forced on by heat or humidity build up before the plants
have time to use the CO2. If this situation is too bad it will stop injecting CO2 and will
revert to maximum venting (within temperature limits) to bring in as much ambient
CO2 as possible.
Humidifier or fogger. This output can drive either a standard fan based fogger or
ultrasonic humidifier or alternatively a nozzle type fogger. When humidifier is
selected the function is very simple with the humidifier coming on when the humidity
is too low and going off when it is satisfactory. In the case of the fogger selection, the
operation is similar except when it is calling for humidification the output is pulsed on
and off producing small puffs of fog and allowing time for each puff to dissipate
before the next.
Heater, Dehumidifier, and CO2. The purpose and function of these devices is self
explanatory and they will all work to keep the temperature, humidity and CO2 close to
the settings. In the advanced settings you will also find offsets settings for each
device that allow you to set the offset from the main setting at which it will turn on
and another offset at which it will turn off. Although these come preset to typical
values that will avoid excessive overshoot or rapid cycling in most grow rooms it is
possible for the user to customise then to achieve optimal performance.
PC interface
A USB cable and IntelliGrowTM software are supplied with the IntelliClimate. You
have a license to use this software on a single computer and you are permitted to
download upgrades at no cost from the Autogrow web site www.autogrow.com as
they become available. The software will support multiple controllers which may be
any combination of IntelliClimate(USB) and/or IntelliClimate(USB) controllers.
Selection of units
You may select either degrees C or degrees F for temperature. CO2 concentration is
measured in ppm and for the more advanced user VPD is measured in kPa/m2. The
date format is selectable between mm/dd/yy and dd/mm/yy formats.
Fail safe operation
This controller has many fail safe functions built in and we have already mentioned
some above. There are fail safes that will force on the fans if the air con or
dehumidifier fail, others that will stop the CO2 if the door is opened (if intruder alarm
fitted) and others that will switch over lights if a bulb fails or switch off lighting if the
air cooled shades overheat. If CO2 should run out or stop working, the controller will
detect this and revert to maximising the intake of ambient CO2. These are in addition
to the power-fail light-on sequencing.

Advanced settings and rules
These settings and rules are preset to typical values that will suit the majority of grow
rooms, however, expert users may wish to alter them to achieve optimal performance.
Note that the advanced settings are only accessible via the PC and are not available
from the controller LCD menu system. If these are ever changed and the operation of
the controller becomes incorrect, there is a button at the bottom of the screen which
can be used to return the advanced settings to the factory default state.
Alarms
The alarms can be enabled to operate on the controller buzzer, the PC via its sound
card and even make a telephone call via the PC modem. Each of these can be
silenced or enabled. Any enabled alarm will sound when a relevant reading deviates
outside user set limits. For humour we have a selection of alarm sounds including
regular, fun and adult. These can be selected on the PC under setup.
Outputs
The outputs voltages for dosing and irrigation control are all dependent on the power
supply adapter used. A 24V DC power is normally provided with the unit in which
case all outputs will be 24V DC.
Power supply
The controller requires a power supply between 12V and 24V either AC or DC.
Whatever power is applied will appear at the outputs (when they are ON). The
default power adapter included with this controller is 24V DC which is compatible
with the relay boxes and power relays that we have available. This power supply has
a universal input voltage from 100V to 240V 50/60Hz. Note that the controller
outputs of are limited to a current of 1.2A (inductive) and 3A (resistive) load. The
power supply should be sized according to the maximum load that can be applied at
any one time. The maximum total draw at any one time should not exceed 4A.
Normally we supply a universal input (any voltage and frequency within wide limits),
24V DC output power supply but this could be changed in the future or by request.

Product Manual
&
Product Data Sheet