Your mini greenhouse control system is the brain which reads sensor data, and controls heating, cooling, lighting and watering.
Ensure you have connected all wiring to your controller first. See the controller connections article.
Connecting your greenhouse to WiFi
If you have a WiFi connection at the greenhouse location (maybe your home network), you can connect the controller to it. This allows it to communicate with the Harvst servers, and allows you to:
- Receive notifications when temperature is too hot or too cold; perfect for a reminder to open the lid on those extra hot days.
- Monitor temperature remotely.
- Receive firmware updates.
To set the controller to online mode, read Connecting to WiFi.
To set the controller to offline mode, simply hold down the button on top while plugging the power in. You will get one long beep to show it's booted in offline mode. Alternatively, just don't configure a WiFi network.
Changing settings
Greenhouse settings are changed using the Device Control Panel, which is a virtual screen accessed on your phone / tablet / computer ... via the WiFi network that the controller is transmitting.
See how to connect to the Device Control Panel.
Heating
The controller has three outputs for heating. Plug a heater cable into each one. The controller will provide as much power to the outputs as possible, depending on how many lights you have plugged in (lights will have priority of power consumption).
Heater settings
Using the Device Control Panel (via WiFi / your phone), choose the temperature below which the heaters will come on.
Also see Heating FAQs.
Cooling
Fans provide active cooling for your greenhouse. To set the temperature above which the fans come on, access the device control panel.
Cooling settings
Using the Device Control Panel (via WiFi / your phone), choose the temperature above which the fans will come on. If the temperature is just above the required setting, the fans will come on slowly. As the greenhouse temperature gets higher above the target setting, the fans will run faster.
Note that on a hot day, or with lots of direct sunshine, the fans will not be able to cool the greenhouse to your desired temperature. You will need to open the roof manually, which will also aid airflow and be good for pollinators!
Lighting
There is one output for lights; all lights come on at the same time.
Lighting settings
There are two lighting periods; for a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the evening if you are supplementing Spring or Autumn light, or have the lights on all day for winter. Note that the lights also provide some warmth.
Using the Device Control Panel (via WiFi / your phone) to change the light settings.
Also see Grow Light FAQs.
Watering
The S8 and S16 can be used with sprayers, drippers, bottom watering or even hydroponics. The pump output can be set to come on for X minutes every Y hours.