GrowPi

Using a Raspberry Pi Zero W (or any Raspberry Pi with internet connectivity and a NodeMCU along with a host of sensors to monitor and maintain a small grow system. It will monitor soil moisture, water overflow alarm, automatic timers for watering and light cycles as well as if/then statements for all the fans and exhaust systems and of course temperature and humidity.

For simplicity we have decided to use Sonoff smartplugs. This cuts down on a lot of R&D and fab time as well as costs and to be honest its just safer. The plugs allow you use utilize their smart phone app, to set and maintain schedules as well as monitor power consumption on your equipment.

The Basics

A simple monitoring and automatic system to watch over a small grow, of whatever. Coupled with Sonoff smartplugs the system is cheap, powerful and effective. The basics - it monitors the temperature, the humidity, the soil moisture, water overflow and water reservoir level. With these systems monitored we have thrown in some custom if/thens to help run your grow.

For example, if the tent humidity starts to rise the system will activate the exhaust fans. Or if the temp rises the fans get activated.

Lets the Sonoff smart plugs do the heavy lifting for all the electrical and scheduling work, and allow them you show you all the power consumption statistics you while you're at it. The days of dial timers are over. Upgrade to today with smartplugs that send notifications and alerts as well as grant remote access.

Sensors

  • Temperature/Humidity in the grow area
  • Water overlfow sensor on the grow area flow
  • Moisture sensor in one of the main pots - we decided to minimize the system and start with one sensor but you may use it to sense the moisture in multiple posts, all the posts are going to dry at the approx. same rate.
  • Water tank level - monitor the watering level reservoir and stop the pumps when empty as well as send an alert.
  • Remote temperature/humidity monitor
  • Gui website front end with charts
  • Smart Camera to watch your babies grow


The Parts:

  • Raspberry Pi Zero W
  • NodeMCU (possible)
  • BME280, BME680, SHT3X Temperature/Humidity sensor (BME680 also does gas, possible CO2)
  • Water overflow sensor
  • Water reservoir level sensor
  • Standard 5v Power Supply (cell phone charger)
  • Wyze Smart Camera
  • X number of Sonoff Smart plugs
  • Water hoses, I used 3/8" and 5/16"
  • Water pump
  • Air pump to aerate the water reservoir

  • Grow Light
  • Carbon Filter
  • Exhaust fan and ducting
  • Grow tent
  • Total grow cost ~$300 for 2x2x3 - add ~$20 per vertical foot to go bigger