Wednesday, March 30, 2005

A Little About The Author


Laris Pickett



I am interested in robotics, plants and photography. I started building electronic devices in grade school. My older brother was also interested so we could share electronic magazines and order electronics together, saving shipping charges.

Scratch built robots means obtaining wheels, motors and the means to control speed and direction. I have used PIC chips, Basic Stamps, Lego Mindstorm, Dios (Kronus Robotics) with various support chips. Seemed natural to extend these skills into the greenhouse this year and retire the X10 devices.

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Greenhouse Automation

Last summer I started plants in my 4' x 4' greenhouse and watered the plants inside and on the west side of this greenhouse using a 3/4 inch irrigation valve connected to drip irrigation devices. The valve was controlled by an X10 module with a 110 volt AC to 12 volt DC wall wart (power supply). I used ActiveHome software on my computer to turn the valve on and off at preset times. I could also use my X10 remote to turn on or off the valve. This made it easier to show friends and neighbors how the system functioned.

For my 2005 garden, I purchased a 6’ x 8’ Master Gro greenhouse and assembled it on the south side of my house. I plan on using X10 to automate the 110 volt fan, open and close the vent. I have installed my drip irrigation for the plants in the greenhouse. I also use drip irrigation for my potted plants with water supplied from my yard irrigation system. I also will use an embedded system to monitor the temperature of the greenhouse air and soil temperature and display them in my house. Later X10 devices will be replaced with a microprocessor to control 110 volt AC devices, 12 volt devices, and sensors.

Greenhouse devices:
  • An alert if the temperature is too cold or too hot in the greenhouse

  • Vent opened at a set temperature

  • Mist and fan turned on at a set temperature

  • Smoke alarm


  • Currently I have 80 plants growing in the greenhouse, and I am getting ready to move some of my tomatoes to my hydroponic system.