Autogrow IntelliDose Installation And User Manual

IntelliDose

Installation and User Guide

• Doses up to 9 parts of nutrient, additives and pH

• Measures Conductivity, pH, Temperature

• Displays EC, CF, TDS, oC, oF, pH

• USB – PC/Mac Interface (USB cable supplied)

• Variable ratios for nutrient part (change from vegetative to generative)

• Auto schedule of nutrient ratios and EC’s

• Proportional Dosing (for rapid dosing between irrigations)

• Direct drive dosing pumps (keeps costs down)

• Irrigation with day/night control – precision timer

• Day/Night EC levels

• Water level control – to lower EC

IntelliDose Manual

Contents

Quick-start page with helpful hints

Important notice:

When using automatic dosing equipment all chemicals must be in dilute form especially acids and alkalis.

Acids and alkalis should be diluted to a maximum strength of 2% or less. We recommend diluting your nutrients 1 part nutrients to 4 parts water while dialling in your dosing settings.

Section A

Introduction to the IntelliDose

Hydroponic doser

Section B

Settings

Section C

Settings for simple 1- or 2-part doser

Section D

Settings for three-part doser

Section E

Proportional dosing (default OFF)

Section F

Sequential dosing (default ON)

Section G

Installation

Section H

Software installation

Section I

Maintenance

Section J

Fault finding

Section K

Specification

Section L

Advanced Irrigation Features

IntelliDose Manual

Quick-start

This is not a substitute for reading the relevant sections of the manual but is

included to emphasise some important and useful points. Install the controller to one side of the mixing tank where it will not be exposed to

splashes and vapours (especially acid vapour). Remember that the sensor leads must be able to reach the sample pot which should be mounted low down just above the top of the mixing tank. See section H for detailed installation notes.

Typical installation using peristaltic pumps

HINTS:

(1) Keep sample pot low down just above top of tank as

many small pumps have quite low head pressure capability

(2) Mount IntelliDose away from spray and humidity from tank

and stock solution, preferably just outside grow room

(3) Adjust the valve in the pipe to the sample pot to achieve a

steady flow without excessive turbulence or air bubbles in the sample pot

Clean the EC sensor and calibrate all sensors before use – see section J for details Fill all stock tanks and mix tank with plain water and run for a day to check for leaks

and observe operation is correct. (This saves the hassle of emptying a stock tank of nutrient or acid if a leak is found).

IntelliDose Manual

IMPORTANT:

When using an automatic doser, the stock solutions and acid/alkali must be very dilute. This is particularly important if a small mixing tank (e.g. under 250gal)

NB: The acid or alkali for pH adjustment must be diluted to no more than 2%

You may need to experiment with the dilution rate of the nutrients so that a 3 to 8 second dose results in a TDS change of 50ppm (0.1EC or 1CF) and for pH a 3 to 8 second dose results in a pH change of about 0.1pH. In any event, the acid should be diluted to below 2% strength to ensure that it does not react adversely with your nutrient and this will also increase the life of tubing and solenoid valves etc.

It is also important that the tank is continually stirred while dosing and there is a continuous gentle flow through the sample pot. If the sample pot is mounted too high there is a danger of the flow ceasing if the pump loses pressure (head) for any reason such as wear or partially clogged input filter.

Software installation

When installing software, it may be necessary to temporarily turn off your virus checker if you get an error message when the installer tries to copy files into the program files folder.

Windows XP note. It has been found that whenever a new USB controller is connected to Windows XP it detects the new hardware and requests that the drivers are reloaded. When this happens click to allow it to reload drivers and allow it to search for new software and then to install automatically.

Windows 2000 note: Older machines running under windows 2000 may occasionally experience the USB going off-line. We have found that some older machines have USB difficulties if the USB lead is over 2m (6ft) in length. If a cable

longer than this is required we suggest using an “active” USB cable. These are

available from most computer/electronics stores.

IntelliDose Manual

Section A - Introduction to the IntelliDoseTM Hydroponic doser

The IntelliDose hydroponic doser is, without doubt, the most advanced and user friendly doser on the market. It has a wide range of possible applications which we will discuss briefly in this section. To keep the user interface as simple as possible, only the readings and settings relevant to the selected features are displayed on the

controller’s LCD and on the computer. To add extra features, you must select them

by going into the configure menus on either the controller or the computer.

Features

A full specification is attached as appendix 1. Here we will review the features available to you. Remember, to enable any feature mentioned here you will need to go into the configuration menus on either the controller or IntelliGrow to select them. When the controller is supplied it is set up as a simple two-part nutrient plus pH lower, timed dosing controller.

Please head to our online Help, found here: help.autogrow.com/intelligrow.

Software

Please head to our online Help, found here: help.autogrow.com/intelligrow.

Selection of units

You may select either EC, CF or TDS (ppm) units for the nutrient strength and either degrees C or degrees F for temperature. The acidity or alkalinity is always measured in pH. In this manual, we will use EC (electrical conductivity) to denote either EC, CF or TDS. The date format is selectable between mm/dd/yy and dd/mm/yy formats.

(The TDS standard used for this controller is EC x 500 but it is also possible to select ECx640 and ECx700)

Mixing nutrients - IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY!

When using any automatic doser it is important that the nutrients and acid/alkali are very dilute. The instructions on many dry powdered nutrients tell you to prepare the stock solutions to quite a concentrated level (100:1 or more). Liquid nutrients are also very concentrated. For a small mixing tank, this will be too strong and even if very short doses are given the system will overshoot. If using powdered nutrient mix them into water so that for each 1Kg of powder you obtain at least 20ltrs of solution. Liquid nutrients should be diluted with water to make up at least 5 times their original volume. Acids and alkalis should be diluted to be less than 2% strength. (if using strong acids, always wear goggles, gloves and add the acid to the water then stir well).

When you have the dilution right you should get a 0.1 mS/cm change in EC when you add around 25ml of A and B stock solutions. In a similar way, the pH should change by about 0.1pH when 25mL of stock solution is added. If it changes by less than this – that is fine but if it changes by more - then you will need to dilute the stock solution further.

IntelliDose Manual

One part or two-part dosing For one part dosing, only one dosing pump is used to add nutrient to the mixing tank.

When two-part dosing is selected then two dosing pumps will be used to add part A and part B stock solutions. In this case it is sometimes found the part A and part B do not dose at exactly the same rates (one tank empties quicker than the other). There are a number of reasons why this may occur including different pipe arrangements, filters partly blocked, tanks or dosing valves mounted at different heights and even the fact that the two solutions may have different specific densities. To compensate for this, you may adjust the two dose rates electronically by reducing either A or B dose rates below 100%. For example, if you set A at 100% and B at 95% then B will dose a little less than A each time that a dose is added to the tank. This is set by trial

-and-error starting with both A and B at 100%. (Always leave one at 100% and reduce the other)

Multi-part dosing With 3 to 8-part dosing, the ratios may be varied to suit a feeding schedule as

recommended by the nutrient supplier. In this case the ratios between all the nutrient parts can be individually varied. A schedule may be added with IntelliGrow which will automatically vary the nutrient ratios and EC as required. This can be used to gradually and automatically change the mix from vegetative to generative whilst at the same time gradually changing the EC. Note, on each date specified, the settings change to the new values and then stay at these settings until the next date in the schedule is reached. Once the last entry is reached the settings just stay at those values permanently. It is important to note, that when using variable ratios for the various nutrient part, the dose time must be set to be long enough that the part with smallest ratio still gets a dose of at least one second. When set for more than 2 nutrient parts the dose interval must be set for greater than 0 seconds.

Sequential dosing (default ON) This causes the dosing pumps or valves to activate in sequence, one after the

other and allows high current valves or pumps are connected to the unit without fear of overloading the controller or its power adapter. If in doubt about the current required to drive the pumps then always select sequential dosing. If 3 or more nutrient parts are selected sequential dosing is enforced to avoid damage to the controller.

Proportional dosing (default OFF) This causes the dose size to automatically vary in proportion to the error and is

useful when you want the tank to dose up quickly. If this is selected then the dose size is specified as both a maximum and minimum dose time. The controller then looks at the size of the error and if large gives large doses but as the EC or pH setpoint is approached, the controller will give smaller and smaller doses approaching the minimum size. This is useful in irrigating (drip) systems that do not re-circulate as it allows rapid dosing after each irrigation occurs. This feature is not available with more than 2 part mixes.

IntelliDose Manual

Different EC for day and night

This feature is useful for crops needing a weaker solution during the heat of the day and a stronger mix when it cools down at night time. (e.g. to help prevent tip burn in

lettuce) The user can define when “day” starts and ends and this does not have to

align in any way with actual day time i.e. you can set day to start at 11am and end at 3:30pm if you wish. Note that the controller is able to both strengthen the mixture (by dosing) and weaken the mixture by adding water.

Automatic addition of water

By installing a mixing tank (reservoir tank) with two water level ball valves, one at a low level and the other at a high level it is possible for the controller to dilute the nutrient tank by adding water. This is done by operating a solenoid valve in line with the high-level valve. See diagram later in this manual. This function is mainly of interest to lettuce growers.

Irrigation

This allows a pump to be switched on periodically for a set time to irrigate plants in pots or bags. The irrigation can be specified to operate in the “day only” mode or it can have a different interval set for day and night. For example, you could set it to irrigate for 4 minutes every 1 hours 35 minutes during the day and for 4 minutes every 5 hours at night. (or not at all during the night)

Alternatively, it can be set to come one once every day at the same time. This could even be used to operate lighting (instead of irrigation) for indoor crops.

If the pump is a mains voltage pump then a relay will be needed to re-power the 24V DC so that it can supply mains power to the pump. Your distributor should have convenient relay boxes available for this

Fail safe dosing

Dosing may be inhibited if any of the following is detected.

- EC probe failure

- pH sensor module failure

- EC of zero measured

- pH outside limits detected Alarms The alarms can be enabled to operate on the controller buzzer or to text/email you

when using IntelliGrow. Each of these can be silenced or enabled. Any enabled alarm will sound when a relevant reading deviates outside user set limits. For humour, we have a selection of alarm sounds including regular, fun and adult. These can be selected on IntelliGrow under setup.

Outputs

The outputs voltages for dosing and irrigation control are all dependent on the power supply adapter used.

IntelliDose Manual

Power supply The controller requires a power supply between 12V and 24V either AC or DC.

Whatever power is applied will appear at the outputs (when they are ON). The default power adapter included with this controller is compatible with the solenoid valves or pumps supplied. Note that the outputs are limited to a current of 1.2A inductive load and 3A resistive load. The power supply should be sized according to the maximum load that can be applied at any one time. The maximum total draw at any one time should not exceed 4A. Normally we supply a 24V DC power supply.

How to use this manual The IntelliDose has a number of advanced modes of operation and so we have

divided this manual into sections, each of which represents a particular feature. Please start by reading section C which gives basic setting information for the one or two-part nutrient doser and then refer to the chapters covering features you require.

For installation advice, go to the installation section at the back of this manual.

Getting Started Follow the installation instructions in the installation section and when everything is

installed and connected do the following. Switch on the power. Check that the power light on the front panel is on and that the

LCD display has some information on it. From here, you need to create your IntelliGrow account. Please head to our online

Help, found here: help.autogrow.com/intelligrow Once you have your IntelliGrow account setup, you can install the IntelliGrow

Installer. You’ll need to select either Windows or Mac setup, depending on what

computer/operating system you are using. Please head to our online Help, found here: help.autogrow.com/intelligrow. If you have more than one new controller, connect their USB cables one-at-a-time

and when the software asks, provide the requested information. For new or replacement controllers, you'll be asked which grow room it's located in and then to give the controller a name.

Use a short meaningful name like Doser1, Climate2 etc so that understanding which device is located in which area is simple to understand as you add more devices.

IntelliGrow will automatically detect any connected controllers and will communicate immediately. You will also see information from the controller(s) on your computer screen.

IntelliDose Manual

Section B – Settings

B1 – Setting from the PC/Mac

ORDER OF SETTING UP A NEW CONTROLLER

1) Visit autogrow.com/intelligrow to get online

2) Set the configuration of the controller to match the physical

equipment. Print the wiring diagram and connect the dosing valves accordingly.

3) If using scheduling set this or load a ready-made file from disk

4) At the controller, clean the EC probe

5) At the controller calibrate both EC (TDS) and pH

6) At the status tab set dose times

7) Enable all functions that you wish to use

8) Check the time/date on the computer and on the controller

Configuration

Next are the dawn and dusk time settings. These are only needed if you select

“Irrigate during day only” or “different EC for day/ night”. The times entered here do

not have to align with the actual day time and for indoor growing they will be set to reflect the period that the lights are on. After changing any settings, you must click the save button at the bottom to send them to the controller.

Next, select the number of nutrient parts that you wish to automatically dose. This needs some careful consideration. For example, there is no need to include an additive that is used only once in the initial tank of water.

Similarly, a flushing agent which is added to a fresh tank of water for the last day or two certainly does not need to be automatically dosed.

Remember also, that you have a total of 8 outputs (9 from version 3.03) and the more you use for nutrients, the less will be available for pH dosing and irrigation. Having selected the number of nutrients that are to be dosed continue by selecting the pH dosing required, then whether irrigation output is required.

If you wish to have a different EC (TDS) for day and night then this can also be selected and if selected you can also chose to add water automatically to reduce EC.

As soon as you have used all the 8 available outputs (9 from version 3.03) the options will appear greyed out and will be un-selectable. The only way to select them is to go back and deselect some previous choices.

Then you can select “scheduling” if desired. This gives you the opportunity to set up

a complete growing schedule by specifying the nutrient ratios and EC for each stage of growth. This schedule or table is very easy to modify and so if the plant growth is slower or faster than expected you can easily make alterations at any time.

Note that it is possible to save the schedule to disk so that it can be used for future grows. We supply a standard schedule based on the recommendations as published by various manufacturers of three part nutrients.

This should be modified to suit the particular species of crop that you are growing and to suit your climatic conditions.

IntelliDose Manual

In the Advanced section, you can select proportional dosing if required. This will only work satisfactorily on systems that irrigate large quantities of water from the tank and therefore need very rapid dosing to get the EC and pH back to correct levels. If this is not the case then deselect this option.

Sequential dosing should always be selected unless there is a good reason not to. In fact, if you select more than 3 nutrient parts it will be enforced anyway. It should only be used with 1 or 2 part mixes and where you intend setting the dose interval to zero to achieve continuous dosing. This is sometimes used on very large irrigated systems so that continuous dosing occurs while irrigation takes place and fresh make-up water is entering on a continuous basis.

The fail-safe disables for dosing should always be enabled for safety. These prevent dosing if the controller suspects that a probe has become faulty or if the EC/pH are too far out.

The “Save current settings to disk” and “Restore settings from disk” do exactly that.

They fetch all settings from the controller and store them in a file on your computer's hard drive. This allows you to quickly reset the controller to a previously saved setup that was known to work well for a particular season, for example.

Dose times

Note that if scheduling has been selected then settings like the nutrient set points and

nutrient dose ratios will appeared “greyed out” on this tab as they are derived from the

entries on the schedule tab and cannot be altered here. Dosing times and intervals can be set by trial and error.

Scheduling tab

To set up the scheduling function, scroll down the page to Functions and tick the "Use scheduled settings".

IntelliDose Manual

After saving, you'll see the scheduling icon showing up by your device name where you can manage your Schedules.

+ 23 hidden pages

Autogrow IntelliDose Installation And User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual