You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
Does anyone know of a timer that will automatically change the length of time it is "ON" daily, to keep in sync with the nature? It would stay on longer as they days grow longer, or turn off sooner as they days shorten.
Or, it might offer you the opportunity to increase the light gradually (irregardless of nature) to induce blooming.
I've browsed about and can't find anything. This seems like something gardeners would want and I'm surprised not to be able to find it.
Instead of a timer, you need one of the light sensing controllers. They are commonly used for street lights and yard lights. That way only when there is no ambient light will they turn on.
There is equipment to do this, but it is not cheap. They are called PLC's (programmable logic controllers.) The PLC itself is not so expensive, but the software, programming cables, etc... can add up, especially if it is for one project.
Anyone with a sincere interest in this or a commercial interest in controlling your growlights, watering valves, etc... automatically...please reply, and I will get you started.
I just want to echo your sentiment about plants and grow lights. I find it surprizing there is not more info out there. It's been difficult because it not quite "houseplant" forum. The only forum I'm aware of is the African Violet forum, but it's not a big subject there.
What you are looking for is called an Astronomic Lighting Control. They start at around $300.00 and go way up from there depending on how much control you want. You can see them online at http://www.grainger.com and look for item 3XJ03 as an example.
I bought a timer for under $20 at a hardware store that lets you program each day of the week. I think you can do additional programming as well. Not exactly what you're looking for, but it works if you don't want to spend a lot of money.
I'm looking for a timer that will simply turn on and off the lights at preset times. I don't mind changing the times myself. I have only been able to find timers that take a two-prong plug but my lights have three-pronged plugs. Any suggestions?
Being digital, it may be subject to power spikes and momentary blackouts, like VCR's that go back to the flashing 12:00 whenever that happens. If it does, you will have to reprogram it every time.
The sprinkler system in the house we rented in Denver was like that.
My Malibu lights came with a non-digital timer, but the output is low-voltage.
Interesting, Bubba. I never really thought about that. So that's probably why it has a self-recharging battery backup? I guess I bought a good one, then.
A built-in UPS - sounds like their engineers thought about that, too. Should be good for as long as the battery lasts. My computer UPS's seem to last about 3 years before the batteries won't take a charge any more. And it usually costs more to by the replacement batteries, than to buy a whole new UPS.
OK I have found it! Searched for "astronomic" timer on on Amazon. They now offer an Intermatic astronomic timer that determines the dawn and dusk for your location and adjusts accordingly, that is, you can set it to turn on at Dawn and off at Dusk. I have an Intermatic and I am familiar with setting it, this just adds a few more settings. Exactly what I was looking for and it is reasonable in price. Don't know that it offers the same features as the one recommended above (Grainger's $300), but it may fit the bill at $18.00. Thank to all for the recommendations and input. I couldn't have done it without knowing what I was looking for -- i.e., "astronomic." I will give this one the test.
