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Harvest Master - FAQ
• Do you really get crops in 7 days?
Yes you sure can. Some results even quicker, like herbs. Results do vary, but leafy crops are coming through as fast as you can eat them or liquidize em.
• Where can I get a Harvest-master controller?
Ask your Hydroponic dealer. We are represented now in the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand. Contact us on E-mail and we'll send you to the right place, or get someone to contact you.
• Can I use harvest-master in any grow room?
Harvest-master can be used in any grow room, from a wardrobe to a full fledged greenhouse. It will learn (in just 20-30 minutes!) all about the room, how fast it heats, cools and then learns itself, how to best manage it!
• How many devices can I control with the Harvest Master controller?
It depends on the model, the Climate and Pro have 8 outputs, Plus versions have 16 outputs. The extra 8 can be cycle or periodic timers, on/off switches for anything, driven by timed signals or Input switches.
• How automated is the Climate model?
The climate model is fully automated.
• Can I use a controller in my outdoor green house?
Yes you can! More likely to be a ‘Climate Plus' controller application; you may not be using CO2. The extra inputs can be used to open or close roof vents the extra outputs are useful for timers, nutrient dispensers, spray misters etc.
• Are the factory settings safe to use?
Oh yes! We spent a lot of time with crop scientists to get a balance for leaf vegetables, flowers, herbs, even fruiting shrubs. They selected conditions that are great for anything, day night periods to suit anything. Some crops may benefit from shorter days (than our 18 hr. vegetative day) or shorter or longer than a 6 hr. night. But, the factory settings will get you as good a result as you have probably ever got. If you are really good, use the menu to make a range of changes to the climate settings to suit your plants.
• How can I use 6000 watts of lights?
The relay switches provided can carry 15 amps. * In the US. At 120v, 1000 watts is 8.5amps, so 1x 1000watts per relay. Use 6 relays If you use the 240v 2 pole relay switch, then 3x 1000watt lights per switch! 2x 240v “2 Pole” relays required *UK, EU, AUST., NZ. At 240v, your home wiring is generally only 10 amp, so,... 2000watts per relay switch. You'll need 3 relays. To put 2, 3 or up to 6 relay switches on a single output, use RCA “Y” connectors from any audio store. We expect to release a “3/4 way” RCA gang box in the next month or two to fit this purpose.
• Do I need and Air Conditioning AND a Dehumidifier?
Great question! They both do the same job. If you get an RCA “Y” connector from an audio store, connect it to the Air Conditioner and the Dehumidifier outputs, and EITHER will start the Air conditioner. Harvest Master will learn than using “COOLING” will also dehumidify, “DEHUMIDIFY” will also cool, and automatically know to be able to USE this to the best effect in your room.
• I have a client with 70 x 400w lights!
Will the Harvest master be able to switch 70 400W lights? Will I have to use the Harvest Master Pro Plus (for the additional outputs)? No Problems! Yes. The output signal only needs to switch on a relay (or up to 6 relays if you “daisy chain” them using “Y” connectors. Get “Y” connectors (Two into One RCA leads) from an audio or electric store. If using our relay switches, you could run 10-13 amps through each, although your normal mains supply is limited to 10 amps right? That 10 amps would give you a maximum capability of 2400 watts, = 6 lights per relay switch. (Each light drawing 1.7 amps) 70 lights, you need 12 relay switches. 6 from the main LIGHTS output. AND, set an unused output (maybe the DEHUMIDIFY) to also be LIGHTS, and put the other 6 off there. Both will turn on together. Sweet! You are up and running 70 lamps. (If the place is suitable for say 13 amps per 240v outlet, then you could run 7 lights per relay switch, 10 switches in total, but, .... he is running everything at the max!). See next two questions. 3 Phase relays!
• You supply heavy duty 3 phase relays (with a 3 pin plug?)
The 3 phase relay is for fitting by a licensed electrician. They hardwire these into the mains supply and connect the output voltage to suitable lines. This is not an item we'd want unskilled people to play with. Play safe, leave electrocution to Texas and the “Bush Men”! lol
• How to have Harvest Master switch 70x 400W lights?
That is 28000 watts, total 117amps at 240v. If we use a 3 phase switch relay, approximately 40 amp per phase. The Harvest Master 3 phase relay is fitted with coils and circuit breaker for use up to 32 amps, so,.... You have say, max continuous load 30 amps on each. That is 7200 watts/phase = 18 lamps per phase = 54 lamps in total (90 amps). The electrician could make a heavier one, or, suggest you get two of these and spread the load. Remember that like everything else, if you are running stuff at 95%, it will last a lot less time than stuff operating at 50-60%.
• Air Conditioners? Is there a formula to work out what I need?
Good question Man! Most of the rules are for homes and offices. A little different to places like the 28,000 watt site above. Rule of thumb for grow rooms, get MORE capacity than you need. Better that, than losing a crop! 3 steps to consider: 1. Amount of heat generated? Duct lights. Get rid of a high percentage of the low frequency radiation (Heat) 2. Latent Heat rating of units being considered? Air Conditioners (including Heat pump type) are rated for “Latent Load”, for example 6kW. Where there is lots of heat generation, divide that by 6 (equals 1kW) for “Sensible” Load. 3. Sensible Load rating and number required? If you have 28000 watts of lights, get cooling ducts for them first. Then, with moderate/high vegetation, you may have a 30-50% (60-75% without ducting) heat retention. Effective heat creation value of lights high/moderate leaf: 28kW x 30% =8.4kW. Or, x50% = 14kW Cooling. Non ducted, high/moderate leaf cover: 28kW x 60% = 16.8kW, or x 75% = 21kW Cooling. My guess would be to make sure he ducts his lights with forced air to all lights, then use 15kW “Sensible Load” (50%) {90kW Latent Load!} air conditioning. AND,... LOTS of overhead air circulation fans for both the cool air mixing and CO2 mixing and circulation. So,... summarizing............ Wattage of lights x .75 = Watts Heating Sensible Load Cooling (Latent rate /6) has to be greater than Heating. One or several Air Conditioner/Heat Pump coolers to overcome the heat. Example 2: 3000 watts lights, no ducting. 75% heat retention = 2250watts. Air conditioner unit is 6kW rating “Latent” = 1kW Sensible. Current draw is 1500 - 1800watts (12-15amp @ 120v/6-8amps @ 240v). 2 machines required, 2 switch relays required (with a One to Two “Y” cable for the COOLING output RCA to 2x A/C units) Good luck to you all. Happy Cropping dudes. Harvest Master
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