Spinner Info?

[WonkaBuds]

Can anyone provide more info on the Spinner and if its worth it? I found a few posts from WizeWizo but only had yields from his first grow (impressive anyway).

I have searched quite a bit and would like to hear someone who has actually used it give a thumbs up or thumbs down.

 

[Anti]

Are we talking about this thing?

It looks like it probably works. I don't know if I'd want to pay $1800 for it and I bet you could figure out a way to get your plants to spin around a 600w vert bulb for a lot less, but if you have the money to burn, it will probably do the trick for you.

I can't say anything about the construction or quality, but it doesn't look like a piece of shit. There are some videos of people who bought one on youtube.

It's a good idea, but I don't know that it's worth $1800.

 

[WonkaBuds]

Anti - yes, thats the one. I saw the videos on youtube just wondering if it is the cost that keeps peopel from using it or if it isnt as good as the manufacturer says it is.

I have read you can get 1-1.5 lbs with a 400 and 2-2.5 with a 600. The videos indicate similar results.

The idea behind it seems sound to me.... but it is a lot of money. Just looking for any more info to help make the decision.

 

[vangaurd]

I think is a whole lotta gadget for techies. I agree with Anti $1800 is a lot of money for something that spins plants. If done correctly you can get those kinds numbers from stationary grows for a lot less $$$...

 

[WonkaBuds]

so what kind of stationary grow? with lower plant numbers?

 

[Anti]

You are in the right forum for maximizing your growspace via vertical. Marlo's working with a small space (2.5 ft. x 6 ft.) and low plant numbers (I think he runs 10-12) with great results but I don't know that he's getting 2+ lbs from his 800w setup.

Manufacturers always have outrageous claims. There are magic reflectors out there that allow you to take a single 600w bulb and light a 10 sq. ft. area if you listen to manufacturer hype.

Read the stickies in the vert forum for ideas.

But all the guys I know that are trying for big numbers are either using more light per plant or more plants per light. (4 huge trees with 5x600w in an x or 2x400w with 70 small plants in a colosseum.)

If you do end up buying one of those things, please start a thread and document your grow so that we all know what's up.

 

[megayields]

(holds his hands next to his forehead) I see a large table top lazy susan, cut holes in it, stick a 600 watt bulb in the middle and save yourself $1,300.00.

Just my .03 cents (economy is bad now)

 

[vangaurd]

Just look through any of the vert threads. I am a new convert to the vertical religion and let me tell ya its amazing. I am waiting on my dry numbers but I am hoping for 5oz. I know thats a far cry from a pound buuuut this was my first attempt in a small cab and I KNOW that I did MANY things wrong from the start but these guys are the best and they will help you if you ask.

 

[Hundred Gram Oz]

You could DIY one of those for a lot less. I'm with you Anti, I'd never pay that kind of money for that 'spinner'.

 

[MIway]

Seen it in one of the local shops... just about a cheap as you could get... axial fan & all... same huge claims by the rep dude. Top it off... looks to be a heat & mold trap, plus requires higher plant counts... tough sell in a medi state. I look at it this way... if you spend 1800 on it, you deserve it. ;-)

 

[311devon]

can someone post a link to the mfg website, i wanna get a look at this thing. Building stuff like this is very similar to my profession. I bet i can do something way better for half the cost. $1800 is f-ing outlandish.

 

[mostnonymouse]

I believe that thing was featured on the season finale of Weeds this year. I'd rather just train and trim stationary plants in a DIY vert setup for a fraction of the cost.

http://www.fortknoxhydro.com/about-spinners/

 

[gaiusmarius]

that thing makes no sense to me. if anything each plant should be gently turning, if you turn the whole ring of plants you are not changing the light direction at all. might as well have them stationary, the light will hit the exactly the same way.

 

[311devon]

I just watched the assembly video, from what i see, it has gears that snap in around net pots that are daisy chained together with one master gear driven by motor. In the assembly vid it shows a magnet embedded in the master gear that excites a mag sensor and switches the direction of the rotation. wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo..........that must make it grow huge nugs!

There are much simpler ways of rotating an assembly like this,no need for friggin mag sensors and other crap to fail! For instance, just off the top of my head in the last 5 mins, how about a single platform with a speed controlled dc motor rotating it at a very slow speed. Say 5 revs per hour. Mount cabinet base spinners at each plant site(your choice how many) with a round base for each pot mounted to the spinner. On each round base you cut teeth(how much or little rotation you want will determine how big and how many teeth ya want). Then mount a single tooth/cleat outside the perimeter of the main platform that engages with the teeth on the spinner base as it rotates past it. Voila! Rotating pots rotating around a bulb.

NO friggin mag sensor or other bs to fail.....Scale up or down as needed.

Speed controllable DC motors set up for use on 110v ac circuit can be found in the woodworking world. They are used for power feeders on saws,planers, drum and wide belt sanders and on and on. A fella could pick one up for about $300 that would be more than strong enough to rotate 50gals or so.

 

[mostnonymouse]

that thing makes no sense to me. if anything each plant should be gently turning, if you turn the whole ring of plants you are not changing the light direction at all. might as well have them stationary, the light will hit the exactly the same way.

The spinner I posted spins each plant on it's axis, like you're describing. If it didn't, you'd be right...just a bunch of fancy gimmicks. You better believe it would still sell to kids in the hydro shops, though.

 

[rives]

When I read the title, I thought that you were referring to petite women. Disappointing.

311Devon - magnetic proximity sensors are about the most reliable sensor that I ever worked with - they are used on everything from crank-fired ignition systems on cars to industrial machinery. A maintenance mechanic accidentally struck an arc with his welder on one that I had installed on a machine, and it functioned perfectly for years afterward. Impressive technology.

 

[311devon]

When I read the title, I thought that you were referring to petite women. Disappointing.

311Devon - magnetic proximity sensors are about the most reliable sensor that I ever worked with - they are used on everything from crank-fired ignition systems on cars to industrial machinery. A maintenance mechanic accidentally struck an arc with his welder on one that I had installed on a machine, and it functioned perfectly for years afterward. Impressive technology.

I will agree with you 100% that mag sensor are very reliable. Ive seen them on the same types of system you describe. Living in oil and vibration exposed environments. I guess i picked on the mag sensors themselves a little too much. Point taken. My bigger issue with the system as a whole is it's general level of complexity. I see LOTS of nooks and cranny's for debris to foul up the works if not kept super clean. More importantly is the $1800 price tag and the quality of materials used to construct the drive system. I would think with that kinda hammer being put on your wallet we should see things like bearings involved, rather than some thin plastic gear that snap over a net pot like a kidde model set. just my two cents.......

 

[WonkaBuds]

Excellent info! I am now moving on to VSOG or VSCROG!!

 

[Anti]

I have a similar issue with the majority of trimmers I see on the market. That TrimPro Satellite looks pretty sweet, but then you see that it's $8,000. If it was $1,500 or $2,000 I think it would be a reasonable investment for a machine like that. But $8,000?

It's an electric mower inverted in a steel drum with a variac. You could probably build your own for like $800 tops.

 

[Electrician]

I know of a guy selling (2) of these for $1,000 without the lamps or ballast. He used them 3 rounds. They work but he had to move out of the house he was in and hes selling both for $1,000. PM if interested. Hes in Cali