Now was the time to move on and create the dosers for the nutrient solution. These were prototype only and ended up needing a bit of software control to function. In the end next time I’ll likely try a different way to dose the nutes.
Gathering the tools needed
Cutting out each doser hole from the prototype container.
Cutting the holes for the dosers.
Getting all my dosers in a row ๐
Wiring each doser up.
More wiring.
Wiring each doser to the electrical panel.
Now the electrical and framing for the case is complete we need to add the plumbing. This ended up being a bad system design as the valves I used require main line water pressure to open and the pumps I used in the system couldn’t reach it. In the end I cut the values out and just directly fed everything.
Wiring up the valves.
Laying the parts out.
All glued together to ensure it can’t be taken apart later ๐
Amazon coming through last minute.
Plumbing all wired up.
Water intake working.
Continuing on with the nutrient mixing system it was time to put the cabinet together that would house the prototype. Lumber was purchased and cut at the local mill and the assembly began. I was able to mount the mixing buckets and overflow containers into the frame at the end.
The purchased lumber
The initial framing of the back of the cabnet.
The initial framing of the back of the cabnet.
Both frames put together.
Both parts joined and the cabnet box is formed.
At this time I had mounted the electrical system from the previous project.
Tagging the clean side. Finally had a use for all those stickers.
The cabnet with the water equipment added.
The cabnet with the water equipment added.
Work began on the next version of the nutrient mixing machine. Chemical grade dosing containers were purchased and the system work began.
Initial Sketch of Mixer.
Wiring the electrical system for the pumps.
The nutrient dosers.
The electrical system being screwed into place.
On it’s side before mounting.
The interface connection to the power system.
The beginning of robotic automation design. A small scale industrial arm was purchased and the initial design began.
The arm to be used around the cultivation.
This grow ended up being lost due to a broken table. The plants split and knocked the blower off which overheated the tent killing the grow.
This grow did now survive.
Returned to the plants knocked over.
And dying.
To learn what quality cannabis should smell, taste, experience like, we purchase a judge seat for Chalice as a flower judge. This experience was the most rewarding and informational over all.
The judge kit for the event. 47 strains to test in all.
Some edibles to test.
Inspection of the flower showed a lot.
Inspection of the flower showed a lot.
How it crumbles leads to smoking quality.
Crunchy is a term best describe this.
Some art being made at the event
The beginnings of learning larger scale developed. Seedlings were sown for the first time and a row of cuttings were taking from the 4th generation Lemon Haze plants. It was a skill to learn not something viable for a craft level grower. In future keeping it small and simple was preferred.
The seedbank had grown at this point and I had some options to select from.
I still had two of the original lemon haze plants 4th generation going down stairs.
Prepairing to clone out the daughters before moving to the bloom room.
The resulting clone bin with seed and clones. Popagating seed in rockwool cubes is not recommended as I found the seed has difficulty uprighting itself.
First signs poking through.
The two daughters were then moved to the bloom room for an eventual fatal blooming.
A day after sprouting.
A few days later. This is stunted growth for seedlings. I found they grow faster in an open air pot then a dome.
At this point the environment was easier to cultivate but the temp was still and issue. This grow suffered from high heat stress and was harvested early. Ended up making really good pre-rolls.
The environment had come a long way. Feeding was automated via the system in the shower which delivered to the dosers tubes you can see running into the tent.
This grow suffered from lots of heat issues. The plant on the right actually split down the middle I believe.
The grow was cultivated early with very little tricomb development.
Hung to dry.
Modified the tent to raise the plants off the ground. This ended up being a costly mistake in the long run.
The mixing feeding setup was becoming cluttered and more of a hassle then it automated.
Closer inspection of the harvest shows a lot of fresh flower. It needed 2 more weeks.
Began the first stages of an actual automated nutrient mixer. Designing a water treatment and mixing 5 gallon tank system. It was not the greatest concept and often leaked.
Creating the outflow for the mixer.
Designed the mixer built into the bench. Not the best design I’ve ever had.
Wiring up the power controller.
Initial mixer system was created in the shower to prevent drainage issues if a seal was breached.
Working on the pumping and piping.
The early maker area.
