Testing Greenhouse Smart Controls

We began testing for our GrowDirector controls review in the beginning of our 2024 Spring-Summer growing season.  For more background, please read this Article (Smart Greenhouse Controls).

To recap, we installed and operated the following AI capable smart greenhouse controls from GrowDirector:

SensorDirector

The ideal greenhouse automation data collection system, SensorDirector lets you connect up to 64,000 IoT sensors (when used in series) in order to collect and analyze limitless plant data and obtain valuable insights. Each module can handle up to 4 sensors.

DryContactDirector

DryContactDirector lets you automate and control up to 64,000 electrical devices (when used in series), including high-power or low-voltage appliances and equipment, remotely and precisely. Single module can handle 4 dry contacts

SocketDirector

The perfect appliance controller, SocketDirector lets you automate and control up to 32,000 electrical devices (when used in series) for seamless operation without any need for manual input. Each smart grow controller can handle 2 sockets.

HydroDirector

HydroDirector, the ideal solution for hydroponic automation, lets you control up to 48,000 dosing pumps (when used in series), as well as collect and analyze pH, EC & water temperature, DO and ORP data from connected sensors. Each module can handle 3 pumps and 3 hydroponic sensors.

Easy Set-Up

As stated previously, installation is a breeze–even for those of use who are not very proficient at networking applications; truly plug and play following some very easy to understand instructions and quick steps.  A grower can be fully set-up and running the systems via smart phone or computer interface in a matter of minutes.

Additionally, the parameters are intuitive–you can set your own custom optimal temperatures, humidity levels and other environmental requirements or use the recommended ones.

So How Did It Work Through the Cropping Season?

For our GrowDirector greenhouse controls review, all of the modules functioned flawlessly throughout the growing season. We grew leafy greens in vertical hydroponics, melons in Deep Water Culture, Tomatoes in RDWC and Hot Peppers in both aeroponics and RDWC.

Even during the couple instances where our WiFi was down, the controls continued to function and operate equipment to maintain optimal growing conditions which included: temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation and aeroponic reservoir conditions (temperature, pH and EC.) 

Reliability? Check ✅

Having multiple temperature sensors via the SensorDirector helped to create an improved growing environment; even though our greenhouse is relatively small, multi stage venting capabilities (motorized shutter and roll up side walls via SocketDirector) based on multiple temperature source readings maintained a more uniform growing environment stimulating more uniformity in crop development.  This is especially important as the sun’s intensity moves to different parts of the greenhouse through the course of a day. 

Note that a single SensorDirector module can operate up to 4 sensors, and the GrowDirector system is capable of handling up to 64,000 sensors which include air temperature, humidity, VPD, CO2, soil moisture, Lux and PAR.

Versatility & Functionality? Check ✅

The HydroDirector, which functioned to control conditions in the recirculating aeroponic reservoir, was extremely accurate and functioned reliably.  We were able to set our desired EC & pH ranges. We prefer to allow some drift in these values rather than setting absolute values–the interface allows us to control the desired level of drift easily. As soon as the reservoir conditions went below our EC set point, the dosers injected our liquid hydroponic nutrient fertilizer concentrates (Cultured Solutions) until our desired levels were achieved–the HydroDirector did a very good job of not over-shooting our set-points; a very intelligent system. The same functionality is available with pH adjustments. Other optional hydroponic reservoir sensors/controls include DO (dissolved oxygen) and ORP.

Accuracy? Check ✅

Software & Interface

For our GrowDirector greenhouse controls review the software functioned smoothly and provided excellent data and visualizations for temperature, humidity, VPD,lighting photoperiods, EC, pH and reservoir temperatures.  With additional sensors, SensorDirectors, HydroDirectors and DryContactorDirectors or SocketDirectors we could monitor, graph and control many more variables.

There is an underlying layer of AI (artificial intelligence) built into the GrowDirector Pro 3.0 software. While having accurate readings and the ability to control them is very important, understanding the significance of readings, particularly on larger scales with multiple zones and sensors, is also of substantial significance. The AI component lets you know through simple visualizations when something is not reading optimal.

Additional improvements to the software with the latest round of updates includes an AI agronomist component. This allows the grower to ask questions or even send images to get accurate diagnosis and advice (based on the unique data from your sensors), for example “why are the flowers dropping from my peppers” or “why is my basil crop showing yellowing on the upper leaves” etc.

One of the things we are especially enjoying about working with GrowDirector is their attention to customer needs and wants.  For example, the software now includes functions based on our requests that were not in the previous version we started with.  The company appears very receptive and approachable while delivering real solutions within a relatively short time frame; helping to make GrowDirector stand out in their field.

Good Data, Easy to Use, Intuitive & Adaptable? Check ✅

GrowDirector Future Use

Based on our successful implementation and trial of GrowDirector modules and software for our GrowDirector greenhouse controls review we will continue operating and monitoring the growing environment and reservoir conditions in our hydroponic/aeroponic greenhouse with their equipment and software.  

We are very likely to expand on the number of parameters we monitor and control as the ones we took on were managed with ease and accurately. It’s as easy as plugging more sensors in or adding more modules; the possibilities are virtually limitless and are fairly affordable for the level of sophistication and accuracy created.

Note that GrowDirector now also offers a DimmerDirector for dimming or ramping up light intensity in LED grow lighting systems.  Each module can operate up to 100 daisy chained or individual LED grow lights while the GrowDirector system itself can manage up to and impressive 16,000

For more information, please check out GrowDirector.com

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