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I've got coleus plants that I want to keep outdoors during winter in a hydroponics tent.
1x1x2m
Anyone know of a portable heater that will keep this room at a constant temp?
As in if it gets too hot then turn off.
And if it gets too cold then turn on.
Thanks in advance.
What about one of those little fan heaters?
My only concerns is the small size of the tent will make the heater trigger on and off all the time.
You will have to have the fan on the slowest speed
Suggest adding some thermal inertia like a half a dozen PET bottles of water?
I'm not into hydroponics, but do have two kids that would wake up screaming if it gets too cold at night. So for their small bedroom i've got a small oil heater that keeps a steady room temp.
I've also kept reptiles, and your local pet store should be able to supply you with temperature control for any heat lamps you may have, these are probably bit overkill as you can set day/night temps. But given that you're into hydroponics and are concerned about plant temps you're probably not that far off.
What you need is one of these.
MKII Temperature Controller (Heat & Cool)
I use one for brewing.
You can plug your heater into the back of this unit and that's what controls the temperature. It simply switches the power off and on to whichever heater unit you're using, unless of course it's gas.
Thanks heaps all.
Thought the controller was gonna be super expensive.
Looking at this one to control summer as well.
Green
Inkbird ITC308 Digital Wired Temperature Controller AU Plug Dual Stage Heat Cool Controller for Beer Brewing Homebrew Aquaiurm Hatching Reptiles Greenhouse Freezer Fridge Sous vide
Blue
Or Perhaps this one:
Inkbird Digital Temperature Controller 220V ITC310TB Programmable Thermostat 12 Stages for Homebrew Heating Cooling Swtich Control Timer Day Night Mode Greenhouse Plant Growing
Amazon.com
Anyone know of an alternative to this one from the US?
Barry,
Have a look at these:
https://www.retravision.com.au/cooli...eramic-heaters
i have a small ceramic heater in my shed. Works fine. However, the fan continues to run for a minute or so after the Off button is hit - presumably to cool the ceramic so having the heater plugged into an external temperature switch may not be so good for it?
I’b be looking at a small oil-filled heater like those used to warm airing cupboards - for example:
Amazon.co.uk
Good hunting!
Brian
Nice. Thanks all.
Ceramic vs. Oil-Filled Heaters: Which Is Right for You?
– NewAir
Barry
I think I would look at a s/h column heater (find one close to you for pick up) similar to this.
Moretti 5 Column Oil Heater | eBay
It is 1000W, not 100W as stated in the description. This type of heater has a thermostat so =will cut in and out according to the temp setting (most seem to have three setting, but you should check that.)
The main problem I see is that if this hydroponics tent has no insulation and heat goes straight out through the walls it might be expensive to keep the temp up.
Regards
Paul
LightHouse 305mm 45W Eco Heat Greenhouse Heater : Amazon.com.au: Garden
Another $100
Trying almost the exact oil column heater now.
It has a thermostat as you mentioned.
Testing now to see if my controller will turn it off.
I'd prefer to have a smaller more efficient using.
My first grow tent.
Just experimenting.
Attachment 514206 Attachment 514207
Variable temp on the top
And three settings Ranges.
Second setting range on max right at around 25°
Trying the third range at half setting to get to 30°
And yes the good lady who is making me move my coleus outside is concerned with the expense as well.
Can't win.
Following grow ten instructions there is a hole at the top so stale hot air escapes and fresh air pulls in the from the bottom window.
But I can't seem to work out how the thermal dynamics (heat movement) work in this situation.
As in what height and how to manage the extraction.
Decided on this one:
- I can set a temp range for both night and day individually -
Inkbird ITC-306T WiFi Temperature Controller Aquarium Thermostat with Waterproof Probe Heating Smart Cycle Timer, APP Support Remote Monitor Control
"smaller more efficient unit"
Every electric heater is almost exactly 100% efficient. A fan will reduce that minimally.
The way to reduce power consumption is insulation. Bubble wrap maybe.
So long as there is a hole at the top and one at the bottom, hot air will rise, leave the top and bring in cold from the bottom.
A bigger (higher power) heater will run for a shorter time but still use the same amount of energy.
In order to avoid bill shock, id be trying to work out the heater cycle time.
If it runs say 15m per hour, @1000w, you'll use 6 kwh per day, say $1.80/day.
How about a Nobo panel heater?
They range between 750w to 2400w, and have a built in thermostat. There is no fan. We bought a 2000w one at Harvey Norman last weekend. They were advertised for $569 but we got them down to $350. It's about the cheapest form of electric heating you can get, usage per hour. You can also set the temperature between 7°C &30°. It should be fine with the moisture too as they are rated for bathrooms.
Using a 5 fin oil space heater to heat a 2 square meter area.
Buy a thermostat for a reptile enclosure from a pet store and then connect any heat source you fancy to it
Very accurate and simple way to control the temperature