If you have a greenhouse in your summer cottage, then a lot will depend on proper ventilation in it. Ventilation creates the most comfortable living conditions for plants, regulates humidity and air temperature. If air is not circulated in the greenhouse, the temperature will constantly rise or fall. In such conditions, no culture will be able to grow and bear fruit. In this article, we will talk about automatic ventilation of the greenhouse and how to make a thermal drive with your own hands.
Advantages of using automatic ventilation
Many summer residents have experienced the benefits of automatic ventilation of the greenhouse from their own experience. The technology of work is quite simple. The device is attached to the window or transom, which opens them as needed. Thanks to this system, you can greatly facilitate the work.
In the hot season, the greenhouse machine will drive out unnecessary heat, and in winter, on the contrary, it will close the transoms, keeping it. This will make your work easier, since you will have to constantly monitor the temperature in the greenhouse. The advantage of using automatic ventilation is that too much cold or warm air will not enter the greenhouse, the system will regulate the temperature, close or open the windows. As a result, plants will be grown in comfortable conditions and produce the expected yields.
What tool will you need for the job
Automatic machines for greenhouses are universal and suitable for airing any type of premises. The ventilator does not need to be activated, it will work automatically due to the expansion of the liquid when the temperature in the greenhouse rises. The maximum height to which the window will open is 45 cm. It can withstand a load of 7 kg. The equipment is designed for one window. Temperature range from +15 to +25ºC. Automatic ventilators have an aesthetic appearance, compact dimensions, they are easy to operate.
How to make automatic ventilation of greenhouses with your own hands
You can create a comfortable microclimate in the greenhouse with the help of a do-it-yourself thermostat. Such a device will fully provide ventilation in the greenhouse. Next, we will tell you how to make a thermal drive for greenhouses from improvised materials with your own hands.
Do-it-yourself thermal drive from an office (computer) chair
The office computer chair has a gas lift or lift cylinder that allows you to adjust the seat height automatically. Using such a part to create an airing machine would be a good idea for a greenhouse.. First you need to pull out the plastic stem, this is necessary in order to gain access to the metal pin of the valve. After clamping a rod with a diameter of 8 mm in a vise, insert a cylinder into it, so you get rid of the pressure. Next, take a grinder and cut off the cylinder along with the conical part, then squeeze out the steel rod. Be careful not to damage the sanded surface and the rubber collar.
To cut an M8 thread, use a couple layers of canvas and clamp the stem in a vise. After that, the cuffs can be cut off with a grinder. The inner sleeve must be put in place, and be sure to save the aluminum piston. All other parts will not be useful to you, they can be thrown away. The rubber rings that are on the piston mechanism should be removed, rinse all parts with gasoline, as metal chips may remain on them.
Next, insert the rod into the inner sleeve and very carefully, without damaging the stuffing box, remove its end from the cylinder. A nut of size M8 must be screwed onto the thread so that the rod does not fall into the cylinder during operation. After that, insert the aluminum piston into the seat from the valve, and a piece of pipe, which has a thread on one side, must be hermetically welded to the side of the cylinder that was previously cut off.
Screw the elongated M8 nut onto the stem thread, and then screw in the fork to attach to the window control lever. After that, you need to remove the air that is in the system and fill it with engine oil. To do this, you can take a liter plastic bottle: make a plug at one end, and place a ball valve at the other. Do-it-yourself automatic greenhouse ventilation machine is ready to go.
How to make a thermal actuator from a car shock absorber
Quite often, automatic greenhouse ventilation can be assembled from almost nothing. The principle of such a device is a substance that reacts to heating and cooling by expansion and, accordingly, contraction. In our case, automobile oil acts as a substance. In order to make a thermal actuator from a car shock absorber with our own hands, we need:
- automotive gas spring or automotive shock absorber piston;
- two cranes;
- metal pipe for oil.
To begin with, at the window, which will open and close for ventilation, you need to attach the shock absorber rod. In order to prepare a pipe for engine oil, on the one hand, an oil filling valve should be attached to it, and on the other hand, the same valve, but it will serve to adjust the pressure and drain the oil. The bottom of the gas spring must be carefully cut and hermetically connected to the oil pipe. The thermal drive from the automobile shock absorber is ready. Did you know? When it gets very hot in the greenhouse, the engine oil you put in the pipe will expand. Due to this, the rod rises, and it, in turn, raises the window frame. After the temperature in the greenhouse drops, the oil will narrow, and the window will close accordingly.
Thus, using a conventional shock absorber, it turns out a good ventilation system for the greenhouse, made by hand.
Do-it-yourself thermal drive from a hydraulic cylinder of a car
Since the hydraulic cylinder of a car works with the help of a special compressed gas, in order to make a thermal actuator for a greenhouse with your own hands, this detail needs to be improved. First you need to drill a hole in the hydraulic cylinder and release the gas. In the same place, cut the thread 10 * 1.25. It will serve to connect the hose.
Did you know? The brake pipe from the Niva is well suited for this, it is easy to find and it is inexpensive.
Using a stud and an M6 bolt, connect it to the old place to the head. Now prepare the receiver. You can order it from a turner or make it yourself if you have special equipment and skills. After the air is expelled, fill the system with oil and check for leaks. Do-it-yourself greenhouse ventilation system from the hydraulic cylinder of a car is ready for work. When you make a thermal drive, make sure that everything is neat, because the quality of the equipment will depend on your accuracy.
How to make automatic ventilation with plastic bottles
If you have a small greenhouse, then automatic ventilation with plastic bottles will suit you, especially since it is very simple to do. For work you will need:
- black film;
- wooden plank;
- two plastic bottles, the capacity of one should be 5 liters, the second - 1 liter;
- a thin meter PVC tube and two nozzles.
Important! The plastic bottle must be sealed, otherwise the device will not work.
That's all, the thermal drive for the automatic greenhouse is ready. To increase the effect, wrap a five-liter bottle with black film and hang it under the ceiling of your greenhouse, where warm air rises. Attach a liter next to the window. After that, nail one end of the wooden board to the transom, and fasten the other over a liter bottle so that it is crushed under the weight of the board. When a large bottle is heated, the pressure in it rises, the air expands and a liter is transferred. She straightens out, while raising the board, and she, in turn, pushes the frame out. The higher the temperature in the greenhouse, the higher the pressure in the bottle.
It is possible to grow a large crop of vegetables with high commercial and taste characteristics in a greenhouse only if the climate inside the greenhouse is controlled. Otherwise, plants in closed beds will suffer from overheating. The simplest and most effective way to control the temperature and humidity level in the greenhouse is to install an automatic window. What advantages and features does the machine have, how to make an automatic opener from improvised means - read below.
An automatic window is the simplest and most affordable way to regulate glass and polycarbonate. The main task of the window is heat exchange: the air temperature in the greenhouse on hot days can reach 40 ° C. Overheating, in this case, can destroy the seedlings.
Automatic window protects plants from overheating, regulates humidity in the greenhouse by heat exchange.
Greenhouse doors in large and long greenhouses often do not do well with high-quality aeration: only that part of the greenhouse that is closer to the door is ventilated, while seedlings in the middle or end of the greenhouse suffer from overheating. In addition, the use of doors for ventilation gives a sharp temperature drop, which can adversely affect plants.
Automatic opening of the greenhouse: principle of operation
Modern production of components for automated greenhouses offers gardeners many options, varying in size, appearance, efficiency and cost.
Today, automation for greenhouses according to the principle of operation differs in:
- Hydraulic installations. Such openers work on the principle of increasing pressure in containers with liquids when exposed to high temperatures. Hydraulic systems are the safest. Their disadvantages include a delay in closing the transoms, which can adversely affect the condition of the plants.
- Electrical. Such systems are the most accurate, easy to install and do not take up much space. The downside of the devices is the need for a permanent connection to the power grid. If the greenhouse is fully electrified, in order to exclude the possibility of stopping appliances, you can purchase an electric generator.
- Bimetallic. Opening and closing in the case of bimetallic systems is based on the ability of metals to expand. Such installations can be used to automate home-made vents on a wooden frame: they will not be able to open heavy transoms or doors.
Any window (top and side) and door can be equipped with automation.
How to choose a window opener for greenhouses
The choice of an opener depends on the distance of the garden plot from power lines, the financial capabilities of the gardener, the type of greenhouse (film, glass or polycarbonate), the culture for growing (optimal temperature values for effective cultivation).
When choosing an automatic opener, you should follow these recommendations:
- If the greenhouse is electrified, then it is better to choose an electric ventilation device: it works faster and “feels” the temperature more accurately.
- It is better to choose products made of galvanized steel (a Univent mold opener is a good choice).
- When choosing, it is worth considering the estimated amount of gravity that the pusher can lift (it must correspond to the weight of the window).
- Pay attention to the temperature range of the opener (the most popular is +15-25°C).
- If the terrain on which the site is located has gusty winds, then the system must be protected from hurricane disruption.
The cost of domestic automatic openers varies from 1.5 to 3 thousand rubles, depending on the principle of operation. Imported automation is much more expensive. If there is no opportunity to purchase a system or you want to install a temporary opener, then an automatic window opener can be made independently from improvised means.
Do-it-yourself device for automatically opening the window in the greenhouse
The easiest and safest DIY solution would be to assemble a hydraulic drive. In order to make a pusher, we need two wooden blocks, a weight, two plastic bottles of different capacities, a flexible tube and several metal pipes.
The device is made as follows:
- Put one bar on the second and knock them together from one end.
- Fix the lower bar with the frame of the greenhouse, attach the upper bar to the movable plane of the window.
- Attach a weight with enough weight to keep the window closed (1.5-3 kg) to the bar from the side of the window.
- Fix an empty bottle with a capacity of 0.5 liters between the bars.
- Hang a large 5 liter bottle with a cap from the ceiling of the greenhouse and pour water into it. For greater efficiency, the hydraulic cylinder can be painted black or wrapped with black film.
- Connect the containers with iron pipes and a flexible tube.
- Check the tightness of the containers (if necessary, treat the joints of the containers with the pipes with a sealant).
The principle of operation of the mechanism is as follows: when the sun's rays heat the side cylinder (under the ceiling of the greenhouse), the pressure in it will increase, and the hot air moves into a small bottle, which expands and pushes out the lever. This sets the mechanism in motion, and the window opens. When the temperature drops (for example, with the approach of night), the pressure in the containers equalizes and the window closes. Such a country opener will last more than one season. At the same time, the cost of the system will be minimal.
Self-opening windows in the greenhouse: features
Any gardener can install a purchased automatic transom opener in a greenhouse. To do this, you only need a screwdriver and self-tapping screws. In addition, usually, the system comes complete with fasteners and instructions.
However, the installation and operation of automatic vents in a greenhouse has its own characteristics:
- Self-opening vents should be located under the roof of the greenhouse: in this place hot air accumulates to the greatest extent.
- Do not place vents on the leeward side.
- For every two linear meters of the length of the greenhouse, one transom should be installed with dimensions of 0.9x0.6 cm.
- A window with an automatic opener must necessarily be equipped with a stopper on a spring with a chain: this will prevent the mechanism from breaking when the window is suddenly opened from a gusty wind.
- The thermal actuator must respond specifically to the temperature in the greenhouse, therefore, if necessary, it must be covered with a material that repels the sun's rays.
- If the greenhouse is not used in winter, it is advised to remove the cylinders of hydraulic installations at sub-zero temperatures in order to avoid rupture of containers.
- Light automation can be installed directly on the window frame, heavier systems (for example, the Ufopar opener with a hydraulic cylinder) must be attached to the greenhouse frame.
In addition to the above, greenhouses can be ventilated with a fan:
Automatic opening of greenhouses (video)
Growing vegetable crops in a greenhouse is a complex and time-consuming process. An automatic window that opens and closes depending on the temperature in the greenhouse can make the work of the gardener a little easier. Today, there are many autonomous installations, different in principle of operation. Their choice depends on the financial capabilities of the gardener, the area of the greenhouse, the material from which the greenhouse is made. At the same time, you can make effective automation for the window with your own hands! Choose the most suitable option, and enjoy the simplicity and convenience!
Plants in the greenhouse are reliably protected from cold and temperature changes, the irrigation system provides the level of humidity necessary for growth. But these indicators must be constantly monitored in order to prevent overheating; opening windows are installed in greenhouses for ventilation. The second important reason for ventilation is the need to create air movement. This allows pollination of plants during the flowering period. With permanent residence in the area where the greenhouse is installed, you can open the windows daily, but with a periodic visit to the farm, you will need to install a special system. Do-it-yourself automatic ventilation of greenhouses from improvised materials will be a practical and inexpensive option.
Varieties of systems
The main division of ventilation systems occurs in two categories:
- autonomous mechanisms;
- energy dependent systems.
The functioning of devices in both groups is based on the action of a thermal actuator. For a volatile system, a power source is required, it can be an electric current or a solar battery. The operation of the device is controlled by a thermostat with a set temperature parameter, which is optimal for plants. When the sensor connected to the fan circuit is triggered, the motor turns on, and the blades of the mechanism pump in fresh air and remove the exhaust. Forced ventilation is efficient and convenient, it has high power and is used for large areas.
The technological system is not without drawbacks:
- the high cost of the device requiring tightness and electronics;
- shutdown in the absence of electricity.
Autonomous mechanisms are divided into three groups: pneumatic, hydraulic and bimetallic. When constructing a system, a thermal drive uses the ability of substances to expand when heated.
The bimetallic device is made from two strips of metals with different expansion coefficients. They are fastened together along the entire length. When heated, one strip becomes longer and bends. The large insert size provides significant force. By connecting the end of the bimetallic device through a rocker with a transom, we get an inexpensive autonomous mechanism. After cooling, the plate will return to its original position and close the window.
The hydraulic ventilation device operates due to the expansion of the liquid in the cylinder, with an increase in volume, it pushes out the piston connected to the transom, and the opening occurs. When the liquid cools, the piston retracts and the transom closes. Inertia is the main drawback of the system, the liquid slowly changes temperature and volume, therefore, it does not respond to cooling in time. It should be mounted for the vents at the top of the greenhouse - hot air comes out of them, and cold air does not enter in an amount that can damage the plants.
The pneumatic drive operates by analogy with the hydraulic mechanism, only air is used here. The use of these systems has its own characteristics:
- The hydraulic cylinder must not be exposed to sunlight, otherwise it will work not from the internal temperature in the greenhouse, but from solar heating.
- The manufacturer sets limits on the width of the opening of the vents and their weight.
Homemade devices
A real economic effect can be achieved when installing a home-made mechanism, if you do not want to spend money on a finished device, assemble it from improvised materials. The simplest is the system of communicating vessels. For her device you will need:
- Two plastic containers of different sizes, one with a volume of 5-6 liters, the second - 1.5-2.
- Connecting hose, the length of which is the distance from the large tank to the overpanel with free sagging.
- Metal fitting on the diameter of the hose.
- Sealant.
The volume of containers must be selected based on the weight of the window. To open a light transom, plastic bottles of 5 and 1.5 liters are suitable. A thin rubber hose or plastic tube from a dropper will do. A large container will become an expansion tank, you need to pour water into it by a third of the volume and tightly close the lid. A hole is cut out in the lid, a fitting is inserted into it, on which the end of the hose is put on.
Pour a small amount of water into a smaller container and close the lid, into the hole of which insert the second end of the hose. When turning the bottle upside down, the water should cover the inserted end of the hose. After being treated with sealant, the communicating vessels are ready for installation. The expansion tank is installed under the roof of the greenhouse, not far from the transom. A smaller bottle, which is a load, is attached to the top of the window. The window opening device must provide for the rotation of the frame along the horizontal axis.
The principle of operation and adjustment of the system
When the temperature rises in the expansion tank, which is at its highest point, the volume of air increases and pushes out part of the liquid. Water flows through the connecting hose into a smaller container and increases its weight. Under the weight of the bottle, the frame falls down. After cooling, the tank shrinks and sucks the liquid back. The light bottle does not hold the window and it closes. To facilitate the closing process, a counterweight, for example, a wooden block, is attached to the lower part of the frame. To limit the amount of opening of the transom, latches are installed.
Such a ventilation system is regulated in several ways:
- The place of installation of the expansion tank, its location is chosen taking into account the intensity of heating in different parts of the greenhouse.
- The number of small containers or the installation of an additional weight that speeds up the opening.
- The plowing width is adjusted by securing the load at the bottom of the window.
You can slightly change the design of the device and fix a smaller capacity not on the frame, but on a cord thrown over the block. The second end of the cord is attached to the bottom of the window. The bottle in this case will not lower the frame, but raise it. By adding a weight to the top of the transom, you can get a high power device that allows you to open a heavy window for ventilation.
A similar system is made using glass jars, but the use of reliable plastic instead of fragile glass is justified, you can not worry about its safety. If necessary, they experiment with the size and material of the containers, so they use a metal canister as an expansion tank, and a 5-liter bottle serves as a cargo container.
This simple device will last for several years, it is reliable and does not require financial costs. The only condition is that it is necessary to periodically add evaporated water to the system.
Video
This video demonstrates how the temperature controller works in a plastic bottle greenhouse:
View a report on the result of annual tests of several thermal actuators:
Automatic window opener for greenhouses ensures favorable growth for greenhouses
What is an automatic greenhouse window for?
In order for the cultivation of plants in a greenhouse or greenhouse to be as successful as possible, it is necessary to provide them with the most optimal climatic conditions indoors. And here you can’t do without additional equipment, since you will need to equip an automatic ventilation system.
To do this, you need to install: automatic greenhouse vents working in conjunction with other devices included in the forced ventilation system (temperature sensors, fans, and so on).
All greenhouses with automatic ventilation are conventionally divided into three main categories:
- Autonomous systems.
- Automated systems.
- Non-volatile.
Let's take a closer look:
- The first option is the simplest and cheapest. For its implementation, it is necessary that automatic vents for greenhouses be installed.
- The second option is already more complex and requires the interaction of all components of ventilation systems. But for the arrangement of a non-volatile ventilation system, the installation of a backup power source is required.
Note. Each of these systems has its pros and cons, if the main advantages of the first are its ease of manufacture and low price, then it should be borne in mind that it is suitable mainly for small summer cottages and individual farms.
- The greenhouse window opener can be installed both on small structures and on entire greenhouse complexes.
This is due to its ease of use and high manufacturability, but it has a very significant drawback - a power failure can cause irreparable harm to the plant or even to their complete death.
Advice. Therefore, for large greenhouses, the priority can be considered the arrangement of non-volatile ventilation systems.
Vents for automatic opening of greenhouses
Regardless of which ventilation system is chosen, they all have one common characteristic detail. These are windows for automatic greenhouses. They can have various basic designs and devices.
The automatic window opener for greenhouses is of the following types:
- Bimetallic
- Pneumatic
- hydraulic
- Electrical
Note. In addition, the automatic opening of the windows in the greenhouse can be carried out according to various predetermined parameters, for example, at a precisely set time, according to certain temperature indicators.
Do-it-yourself automatic window openers for greenhouses
How to equip a do-it-yourself ventilation machine
For a long time now, many gardeners have successfully used do-it-yourself automatic greenhouse window openers that work when exposed to natural energy.
Their main advantages are:
- Low price, which is several times lower compared to factory models, especially since the latter are dangerous to leave unattended.
- Simplicity of design.
- Reliability.
- The ability to use inexpensive improvised means.
- It does not require special skills and special tools.
- Versatility.
Note. One of the most common and reliable is the greenhouse window opener, the principle of operation of which is based on the application of the force of movement of an expanding liquid (as the temperature rises).
The disadvantages of this type of system include:
- Cannot be used with side windows.
- Closing delay (approximately 20-30 minutes), which can sometimes be critical.
- Requires periodic maintenance.
- Low power.
Note. In second place in terms of distribution are automatic window openers for greenhouses with a pneumatic drive. They can also be either factory-made (industrial) or made on their own using improvised means.
Construction types
The simplest option is automatic window opening in a greenhouse, the principle of operation of which is based on the effect of the difference in expansion (linear) of different materials. The undoubted advantage of this mechanism is simplicity, the ability to control power, low cost, the ability to close and open the side windows.
Automation is much simplified:
- In fact, it is absolutely not difficult to create an automatic opening of window vents in a greenhouse, and absolutely every person can cope with this task.
- In addition, maintenance will be very simple. They are ways to serve a wide variety of scales.
Advice. In any case, it should be noted that they can be created practically from improvised means, although certain goods will still have to be bought.
Electrical fixtures:
- The main advantage of this method can be considered ease of installation, as well as a relatively low cost.
- They are equipped with special relays that instantly respond to the overall temperature inside and in products with a new sample it is possible to set the standard temperature range and also allow you to control the switching on and off of the system.
- But the fans themselves, at the moment, are able to independently regulate the strength and direction of the air flow.
Note. The most important and obvious disadvantage of this type of machine in order to ventilate with a special device is the need to purchase equipment in order to ensure an uninterrupted electrical supply.
Stopping the supply of electrical energy can completely destroy growing crops in just a couple of hours. But the main disadvantage is power consumption.
Bimetal way:
- This machine is designed for automatic ventilation of greenhouses of various sizes and volumes. His work is based on the use of such a property of the metal as its expansion and contraction under the influence of temperature fluctuations.
- To put this into practice, you just need to take two metals with a different expansion coefficient.
Plates made of metals that expand much faster simply push the window out when heated. And when cooling, on the contrary, they close.
cylinders
Devices of this format are a standard cylinder, which is filled with a special liquid (paraffin mixed with oil). A special rod is fixed in one of its ends.
So:
- The main principle of operation is based on the full thermal expansion of any oil. In the case of an increase in temperature inside the greenhouse itself, the common oil, heating up, displaces the stem itself, which opens the window or door.
The higher the indoor temperature, the larger and wider the door opens.- With a significant decrease in air temperature in the evening or during the day or when it rains, the oil inside the cylinder begins to shrink and the window, respectively, closes (thanks to the return spring).
- Before purchasing, you should first consult with qualified specialists who have extensive experience in carrying out such work. They will help you choose the most suitable and convenient option for each specific case.
Advice. In any case, it should be noted that at the moment there are a large number of factors that influence the choice of the type of automatic window opener in the greenhouse.
- If you make the right choice, then the purchase will be able to pay for itself in the shortest possible time. At the same time, it is important to note that today, each person can afford to choose the most optimal type of automatic opening of vents in greenhouses, depending on their capabilities, preferences and features of the entire structure.
- If a decision is made to purchase a special machine, then it is advisable to pay attention first of all to such an indicator as the maximum weight of the window and the window that it can open. In most cases, the indicator has a limit of 5-7 kg. and it is quite enough for manipulating lapel windows.
- It is worth paying attention to the total mass of the device in order to preliminarily determine the place where exactly it will be fixed. In this case, it is necessary to take into account what maximum mass this section of the greenhouse frame can withstand.
Various devices can initially be designed for certain temperature response modes. We recommend watching a video on arranging an automatic window opening.
