Understanding Greenhouse Climate Through Early Prototype Studies - Part 1
Introduction
Embarking on the journey of indoor greenhouse development, my first prototype was a learning ground. The goal was simple: understand how to control the climate inside a greenhouse before considering what plants would thrive in it. This post highlights the experiments made to manage temperature, sunlight, and insulation in this initial setup and as learnings for future prototypes. Upcoming posts will delve deeper into each study especially as it relates to the final greenhouse design.
Phase 1: Initial Greenhouse Design
The first prototype was a modest structure, measuring 3.5 feet long, 1.5 feet high at the back, and 20 inches deep. Constructed from plywood, redwood lumber, and sealed with natural materials like beeswax and jojoba oil, the focus was on creating a controlled environment that could withstand varying weather conditions. Around that I built a platform to hold sensors, data logger, solar panel and other accessories. I sunk the bottom to account for sensor wires but also to simulate the possibility of the final greenhouse using soil as a climate battery. (More on this in a later post.) I’m not a talented handyman so I subscribe to the notion of measuring 10 times and cutting once and even then I can mess things up! And given my limited time and naivety in greenhouse mechanics and coffee plants I approached each study carefully. You can see below the model I made of the first prototype so that I could confirm the dimensions, layout of the greenhouse structure along with the accessories. In a future post I will go into the sensors in more detail but I researched, tested and ultimately decided on the Onset sensors.
Shown here is the finished Prototype-1 Greenhouse with the sensors and accessories.
Sensor and deployment information
Deployed in backyard: Cupertino, CA 95014
Deployed on 1/30/2021.
Baseline time is 14:00. (Moved from garage to backyard around 12:00 but still worked on until close to 2pm)
Location information of Prototype Greenhouse from photo taken of greenhouse at 11:56 (data provided by “EXIF Viewer Lite”)
Altitude: 196.85 ft
GPS: 37.329° -122.020°
GPS Dir: 39.0264 True North
Onset Sensors installed at time of location:
RX3002-00-01 (Remote Data Logger, Wi-Fi version)
SP-007 (Service plan, wifi, free)
Solar-15W, Solar panel, 15watt (for analog sensors)
AC-U30, AC Power adapter (for back up)
Cable-USBMB. data-logger to PC cable
S-LIA-M003 (outside greenhouse). PAR light sensor (intensity and PAR measurement)
S-LIB-M003 (outside greenhouse). Solar radiation and light intensity
S-THB-M002. (outside greenhouse). Temp/Humidity sensor
S-THB-M002. (inside greenhouse). Temp/Humidity sensor
RS3-B . Solar radiation shield for temp sensor. 1 outside and 1 inside
RXW-T12-900 Soil moisture / Temp and EC wireless sensor
RXMOD-RXW-900. Wireless manager module
RXMOD-A1 analog module for the data logger
UV Sensors to track amount of UVA,B inside and outside the GH
1x UVA sensor (from Vernier)
1x UVB Sensor (from Vernier)
4x BTA Protoboard
2x BTA Extension (from Vernier )
Conclusion
These early studies provided invaluable insights into greenhouse climate control. While successful in some aspects, they also revealed the complexities of maintaining a stable environment. Future posts will explore further refinements and additional experiments that built on these initial findings.