Furbrain

Many thanks Totemic. Great answer!. I have a baseline now. The 1 M2 tent is the compromise. I'm just trying to imagine 4 plants in there?. I grew quite big plants in 20l pots before, and reckon each one was close to 1 M2. Pardon my ignorance on that one. I better get my arse into gear and fit solar first. Looking forward to trying a grow indoors! Will start looking for some gear soon. 1.0x1.0 Tent, Extractor fan size/wattage?? LEDs wattage/suggested type? Dehumidifier? Passive intake or fan? Anything else you think I need? Really appreciate your help. Sorry for delay in responding.

Greetings. I'm in the process of installing solar to my house. A previous thread explained my concern over how much power a small growroom tent would require. I have since doubled my existing output and now feel confident to run a small setup. Ive had to compromise but will have approximately 5Kw allowance for my grow. So here's the thing. I need a list of equipment for a 2.4x1.2 tent. All equipment needs to draw +/- 500W combined. (Ballpark). LEDs , fans etc and anything else you can think of. 1Mtr tent is just too small so I'll try a 2.4Mtr one. I was hoping for maybe 3 plants in 20ltr pots????. I need to keep things as simple as possible. I'm sure there are hundreds of different ways to grow!. My first indoor grow so I would like 'simplicity' if possible. Thanks in advance......

Thanks for that, I will update at some point!. Photo shows last setup. 6x250w panels. Batteries were 2v with tons of storage. Great system but realise now I need much more.

Dear Psyclown, Thankyou so much!. 10 out of 10 for that answer!. I feel fully clued up know. Trouble is.......I do get a bit carried away at times. I lived in Spain for a few years and had absolutely no electricity up in the hills. My solar system worked like a dream. I only grew outside, so didn't need too much power. However, the system handled a pool pump for 7 hrs every day , the household water had pumps also. That was 5 years ago. Wow .......solar has moved on from then!. Anyhow, turns out I'll need a lot more power than my old 6 panel system! (Photo). At least now I know what I'm dealing with and what I need to make things work. I'm going ahead with my intended system in the knowledge that I can add extra panels and battery later. I've come to peace with the fact that it will cost me a lot more than I had previously thought!. Just have to wait to get the funds together that's all. Patience is the key. One other thought; What if I scaled it right down to single tent with one plant?. One reasonable plant?. But then I suppose you still have to have the same gear, fans etc. Ah well, my dream of giving Eskom the finger alludes me for now. Thanks again for your valuable insight. Have a lekker weekend. PS, Photos will be sent separately as they are on my pc.

Yep,...........right on the mark. The things that go on here in SA!. Thanks Dave, I will have professional to fit the system!. Please see my post to Boss. Lekker weekend to you.

Hi Boss, I've spoken with my supplier and he assures me that my system will power my basics, fridge etc for many hours. He knows about my intention for indoor growing and suggests trying the system first before making plans to double the number of panels and installing another 5kv battery. He suggests that the one battery will give me approx 4600watts. It's fairly obvious that I will probably end up enlarging this system for an indoor grow but let's see how stage 1 works out first. I've bought from a reputable dealer and price includes a professional electrician to wire up and commission the system. Even get a COC!. No way I touch any electrics.......DC or AC!. Can't see any of those pesky and dangerous electrons so I've always left well alone!. Thanks for your input and have a lekker weekend.

The system is 48V. If I can draw 'most' of the 200amps(lithium) and the grow system uses say 500w,......then ; 500÷48= 10.4Amps????. I don't think I am correct here!.

If I can use

Sorry, forgot to mention it's a 48V system!.

Hi Boss, 5kw Inverter, 2.2kw Panel Capacity and 5kwh Lithium Battery(200ah). Would the lithium battery give more running time than a 'normal' battery?.

If you post the electricity usage of each piece of equipment and for how long they will run I could ask someone which setup would work best Good morning. Fact is I'm not sure what equipment I will need to start with?. I intend using a 2.4x1.2mtr tent with possibly 2 or 3 plants in 20ltr pots. What I need is advice on what equipment to use ie LED's , fans etc. Then we can understand what my power needs to be?. I'm sure there must be a base setup for my size grow!. What lights, fans etc etc are suggested??????. Appreciate your help.....

Thanks for that Dookie. My lithium battery is only 200ah!. It's 5kva with 4500w capacity. I still can't get my head around what power is needed for a small setup and how long (hours) a fully charged battery would give me?. Damdave's 516watts has given me a baseline although I 'think' he is running a larger setup?. I'm in the Klien Karroo so humidity is not so much of a concern.

By the way,............. how large is your growing area please?. I had intended to grow in 2.4x1.2x2.0mtr tent with 2 maybe 3 plants in 20ltr pots. Also wonder what hours your light schedule is for using 516watts?.

Thanks Damdave. My problem now is the maths!. If my 5kw lithium battery has a storage capacity of 4500watts,............how long would that run your setup that uses 516watts?. At the risk of seeming thick...............would my battery power your setup for 9hrs?. (4500÷516=8.7). No wonder my late Father (an Electrical engineer), was disappointed I couldn't grasp this whole amps Watts voltage thing!. Cheers......

Thanks Totemic. I'm not surprised at your answer!. Would you know roughly how much power a small setup would need?. I do get confused with how many Watts/Amps needed and how much Lithium batteries produce!. For instance, apparently the battery I'm getting has a usable capacity of 4560Wh!. So if a fan is rated at 60watts it will draw 60÷1000= 0.06wh......................I think?. To be honest I don't seem to know how to work out the total power nessesary to run LED's, extractor fan, inlet fan etc. Maybe someone could give me a rough idea how much power I actually need?. Thanking you in advance. Cheers.....

Greetings, At some point I will try growing indoors but first will install solar to the house. I am well-known for doing things ass about face sometimes and have just purchased a Solar system. 5kw Inverter, 2.2kw Panel Capacity and 5kwh Lithium Battery. I hope to run a grow inside a 2.4mtrx1.2mtr tent. Do you think I will have enough power to run LED lights, extractor fan etc for probably 10 hrs at least? If your doing an 18hr on and 6 off grow and getting approx +/- 9 hrs sunlight (Winter grow) , that means I will need to run lights etc for at least 11hrs. Will the 5k lithium battery handle this?. Cheers....

Yeah, the weather is brutal for sure. Your method makes perfect sense. Thanks for the input.

Ah yes......GROW........being the optimum word . Some of my girls look a bit iffy.

Greetings. I have more positive growth now!. I will insert photos with this post. Please can anyone give me thoughts on my progress. In order; A) Autocreeper 21 days from seed. C) Autocreeper 21 days from seed. D) Borderline (Photoperiod) 30 days. E) Borderline (Photoperiod) 30 days. F) Jamaica Pearl ( Photoperiod) 26 days. G) Borderline (Photoperiod) 26 days. H) Jamaica Pearl (Photoperiod) Jamaica Pearl ( Photoperiod) 26 days. I) Borderline (Photoperiod) 26 days. Some look quite good???? but some not so!. Comments welcome. I have made frame for area. 1) extra shade for those hot days and 2) Tarpaulin for heavy downpours. 3) Scrog net system to be 'laced' should any of my girls decide to grow more......................and I live in hope!.

Many thanks,..........I'm on the case!. Will update on progress.

And the same to you kind Sir. Have painted tops of Domes and only use between 1100-1430hrs...... Just keeping a close eye on them. So far they ok. I'm not going to stress about it. Problem is, I love a good thunderstorm and heavy rain. Any extreme weather is a nice experience for me.............. except when you're trying to grow weed outside!. No sweat, I'll persevere with these under no illusions of a great outcome!. Focus is already on solar and an inside tent!. First focus on getting this idea funded. Man,.............. I want to be able to control indoor climate and enjoy my thunderstorms . Many thanks again for your input..... Cheers.....

Wow man........thanks for that . Been hectic this week with other stuff but I'm persevering on the weed. Will try the suggested ideas!. Follow up with pic's soon. Cheers.....

Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to you all. I am a retired Carpenter/Builder who doesn't miss his previous trade.......at all!. Enjoying life and retirement.

Only now I'm seeing how the temps/weather can change down in this neck of the woods!. 33° this arvo....... Am trying the domes as suggested and will monitor carefully. Hope they don't fry...... Will update as and when........ Take care,.........it's a jungle out there!.

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