Top Pick: CO2 Sensor + Controller Combo Unit - Growroom Designs & Equipment - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

creativeprocess · 08-15-2017, 09:04 PM

Hey y'all, I'm hunting around online and found quite a number of CO2 sensor/controller combo units all within the $200-300 price range.

Anyone have experience with anyone of them? Or others that they'd recommend? These are the ones I've come across:

$285 -- Blueprint CO2 Controller, BCC-1
https://www.amazon.com/BluePrint-Blueprint-CO2-Controller-BCC-1/dp/B00FY3DR2Q
$235 -- Titan Controls 702618 Atlas 2 Preset Carbon Dioxide Gas Monitor and Controller
https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Controls-702618-Dioxide-Controller/dp/B00819A642
$235 -- iGS-100 - Day and night CO2 Controller with Auxiliary Output https://www.amazon.com/iGS-100-night-Controller-Auxiliary-Output/dp/B01GEUT0G4
$230 -- AutoPilot Digital Garden Temp Co2 Environmental Controller w/ Sensor | APCETHD https://www.amazon.com/AutoPilot-Digital-Environmental-Controller-65234R3FA622838/dp/B01M97WO23
$230 -- Autopilot PPM-5 Co2 Monitor & Controller with Remote Sensor
https://www.amazon.com/Autopilot-Monitor-Controller-Remote-Sensor/dp/B06W9JR812
$220 -- Analog CO2 Controller with Remote Probe - Autopilot APCECO https://www.amazon.com/Analog-CO2-Controller-Remote-Probe/dp/B00CJJ78FU
$205 -- Grozone Controls USCO2 0-2000 PPM Single Zone Ultra Simple CO2 Controller for Plants https://www.amazon.com/Grozone-Controls-0-2000-Single-Controller/dp/B00HP37BFM
$200 -- CO2Meter RAD-0501 Day Night CO2 Monitor and Controller for Greenhouses, Grey
https://www.amazon.com/CO2Meter-RAD-0501-Monitor-Controller-Greenhouses/dp/B017847K76
$185 -- Autopilot APCETHD Digital Environmental Controller with Remote Probe
https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Environmental-Controller-Remote-Probe/dp/B008NNPYKM

Any experiences, tips, or input would be immensely appreciated!

JJ Lowe · 08-19-2017, 08:54 PM

Bottle or burner? I use bottle with a timer. I initially planned on adding a controller but I find it's really easy to dial in the timer as needed. (along with a co2 monitor).

creativeprocess · 08-20-2017, 05:18 AM

Hey thanks for the reply JJ.

For now gonna have it with a 50lb bottle. Later get a burner.

you have it on a short cycle timer? that seems feasible. Then you use the monitor to dial in your PPM's on average? What kind of monitor do you suggest? i want it to be accurate without breaking the bank.

I was thinking use a controller on a basic mechanical timer so that it only kicks on during day hours but with your method I could even put a short cycle on top of the mechanical timer.

JJ Lowe · 08-20-2017, 06:38 AM

I've got a digital timer with photo sensor for daytime only operation. I used this room calculator and it's really spot on..

https://growershouse.com/co2-calculator-for-grow-rooms

I use the autopilot co2 sensor. You could even get by without a sensor. Just use the bottle, room calculator, and timer.... the sensor is nice though just to confirm.
My 20lb bottle last around 2.5 weeks 10x10 room.

DocTim420 · 08-20-2017, 03:27 PM

For $125--this is the one I like, CAP PPM-4: https://www.amazon.com/P-Custom-Auto...SIN=B00480H93O

It has 2 parts, the "brain" and the "outlet". The "brain" measures the CO2 (placed inside the grow environment) and is wired to the "outlet" (turn on/off the electric solenoid valve on your CO2 tank). There is adequate wire length to place the "outlet" and CO2 tanks outside the grow environment. You will need to plug the "outlet into a timer, which is perfect for me. About 2 hours before lights off is the time I do my daily maintenance in the flower room--so to avoid wasting CO2 (as I go in and out) I have the timer set for 10 hours--instead of 12 hours.

It is preprogrammed to maintain CO2 level at 1450 PPM and asy to calibrate...but you can not change the PPM level to a different amount. It is 1450 or nothing (I'm OK with that).

There is NO photocell...and that is exactly what I got. I did not want my "dirty" CO2 tanks in mingle among with my flowering ladies...and that is exactly what I got. I did not want to spend over $200...and that is exactly what I got.

caljim · 08-20-2017, 03:50 PM

Doctime420..the dead band on the unit is kinda wide...900 to 1450..thats a big swing..
From the list I liked the Auto pilot ppm5, for the tighter dead band, and the Rad 0501 for its to the ppm adjustability.

All that being said..I have been using a CAP "fuzzy logic" controller since 2003. A lot of their stuff was junk...this thing keeps on ticking.

DocTim420 · 08-20-2017, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caljim

Doctime420..the dead band on the unit is kinda wide...900 to 1450..thats a big swing..
From the list I liked the Auto pilot ppm5, for the tighter dead band, and the Rad 0501 for its to the ppm adjustability.

All that being said..I have been using a CAP "fuzzy logic" controller since 2003. A lot of their stuff was junk...this thing keeps on ticking.

Actually (from the instructions), "Switching set point factory set to 1450 PPM with 50 PPM hysteresis/dead-band". (Not the 900-1450 you thought.)

"When levels are below 1400 PPM (a 50 PPM hysteresis/dead-band), the plug-in controller will power the CO2 generation source. When levels exceeds 1450 the controller deactivates the power at the plug-in controller."

You might say...the 3 LED indicators (0-900 PPM, 901-1450 PPM, and 1451+ PPM) are for "looks". In other words, when the middle indicator is illuminated (901-1450 PPM), the plug-in controller can still be on (if CO2 PPM is less than 1400). This I have verified and observed.

Hope this helps!

creativeprocess · 08-20-2017, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocTim420

For $125--this is the one I like, CAP PPM-4: https://www.amazon.com/P-Custom-Auto...SIN=B00480H93O
.

Thanks very much for the recommendation! My only concern is that there are a lot of negative reviews on the product. I'd rather spend a little more and be less likely to deal with the possibility of a headache malfunctioning unit, then return shipping and risking a new one that's also defective.

creativeprocess · 08-20-2017, 08:20 PM

Ok so thinking about the money between the options, I decided to go with JJ's idea.

- CO2 burner (only $215) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725CKHT6
- Basic CO2 meter ($110) https://www.amazon.com/CO2Meter-AZ-0.../dp/B001PDGFR8
- Basic mechanical or short cycle timer (depending on necessary on/off timings).

thanks for your inputs guys!!

DocTim420 · 08-20-2017, 11:26 PM

That CO2 meter is cool and works like a champ; exact same one I borrowed to verify my PPM-4 controller. Just for the record, my PPM-4 has been in operation for about 2 & half years, and I have experienced zero issues thus far. No moving parts and easy to calibrate.

Good luck man! Originally I was going to go with the gas burner CO2 generator route, but...like you, did not like the reviews I heard. The problem I kept hearing were mainly about using CO2 generators were more problematic in indoor operations (which I am)--but less so in greenhouse operations (which I am not). Not sure why, maybe because indoor systems are more of a "closed system" (little to zero exchange of fresh air)...unlike "open" greenhouse structures (which normally experiences a greater amount of air exchange)....don't know, but that's my theory.

08-15-2017, 09:04 PM	#1
creativeprocess Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Beyond the Astral Posts: 191	Top Pick: CO2 Sensor + Controller Combo Unit Hey y'all, I'm hunting around online and found quite a number of CO2 sensor/controller combo units all within the $200-300 price range. Anyone have experience with anyone of them? Or others that they'd recommend? These are the ones I've come across: $285 -- Blueprint CO2 Controller, BCC-1 https://www.amazon.com/BluePrint-Blueprint-CO2-Controller-BCC-1/dp/B00FY3DR2Q $235 -- Titan Controls 702618 Atlas 2 Preset Carbon Dioxide Gas Monitor and Controller https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Controls-702618-Dioxide-Controller/dp/B00819A642 $235 -- iGS-100 - Day and night CO2 Controller with Auxiliary Output https://www.amazon.com/iGS-100-night-Controller-Auxiliary-Output/dp/B01GEUT0G4 $230 -- AutoPilot Digital Garden Temp Co2 Environmental Controller w/ Sensor \| APCETHD https://www.amazon.com/AutoPilot-Digital-Environmental-Controller-65234R3FA622838/dp/B01M97WO23 $230 -- Autopilot PPM-5 Co2 Monitor & Controller with Remote Sensor https://www.amazon.com/Autopilot-Monitor-Controller-Remote-Sensor/dp/B06W9JR812 $220 -- Analog CO2 Controller with Remote Probe - Autopilot APCECO https://www.amazon.com/Analog-CO2-Controller-Remote-Probe/dp/B00CJJ78FU $205 -- Grozone Controls USCO2 0-2000 PPM Single Zone Ultra Simple CO2 Controller for Plants https://www.amazon.com/Grozone-Controls-0-2000-Single-Controller/dp/B00HP37BFM $200 -- CO2Meter RAD-0501 Day Night CO2 Monitor and Controller for Greenhouses, Grey https://www.amazon.com/CO2Meter-RAD-0501-Monitor-Controller-Greenhouses/dp/B017847K76 $185 -- Autopilot APCETHD Digital Environmental Controller with Remote Probe https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Environmental-Controller-Remote-Probe/dp/B008NNPYKM Any experiences, tips, or input would be immensely appreciated! __________________ "When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere." -- FDLR Last edited by creativeprocess; 08-15-2017 at 10:53 PM..
	Quote

08-20-2017, 05:18 AM	#3
creativeprocess Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Beyond the Astral Posts: 191	Hey thanks for the reply JJ. For now gonna have it with a 50lb bottle. Later get a burner. you have it on a short cycle timer? that seems feasible. Then you use the monitor to dial in your PPM's on average? What kind of monitor do you suggest? i want it to be accurate without breaking the bank. I was thinking use a controller on a basic mechanical timer so that it only kicks on during day hours but with your method I could even put a short cycle on top of the mechanical timer. __________________ "When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere." -- FDLR
	Quote

08-20-2017, 08:20 PM	#9
creativeprocess Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Beyond the Astral Posts: 191	Ok so thinking about the money between the options, I decided to go with JJ's idea. - CO2 burner (only $215) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0725CKHT6 - Basic CO2 meter ($110) https://www.amazon.com/CO2Meter-AZ-0.../dp/B001PDGFR8 - Basic mechanical or short cycle timer (depending on necessary on/off timings). thanks for your inputs guys!! __________________ "When we cannot find contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere." -- FDLR
	Quote

08-19-2017, 08:54 PM	#2
JJ Lowe Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 82	Bottle or burner? I use bottle with a timer. I initially planned on adding a controller but I find it's really easy to dial in the timer as needed. (along with a co2 monitor).
	Quote

08-20-2017, 06:38 AM	#4
JJ Lowe Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SoCal Posts: 82	I've got a digital timer with photo sensor for daytime only operation. I used this room calculator and it's really spot on.. https://growershouse.com/co2-calculator-for-grow-rooms I use the autopilot co2 sensor. You could even get by without a sensor. Just use the bottle, room calculator, and timer.... the sensor is nice though just to confirm. My 20lb bottle last around 2.5 weeks 10x10 room.
	Quote

08-20-2017, 03:27 PM	#5
DocTim420 The Doctor is OUT and has moved on... Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 1,192	For $125--this is the one I like, CAP PPM-4: https://www.amazon.com/P-Custom-Auto...SIN=B00480H93O It has 2 parts, the "brain" and the "outlet". The "brain" measures the CO2 (placed inside the grow environment) and is wired to the "outlet" (turn on/off the electric solenoid valve on your CO2 tank). There is adequate wire length to place the "outlet" and CO2 tanks outside the grow environment. You will need to plug the "outlet into a timer, which is perfect for me. About 2 hours before lights off is the time I do my daily maintenance in the flower room--so to avoid wasting CO2 (as I go in and out) I have the timer set for 10 hours--instead of 12 hours. It is preprogrammed to maintain CO2 level at 1450 PPM and asy to calibrate...but you can not change the PPM level to a different amount. It is 1450 or nothing (I'm OK with that). There is NO photocell...and that is exactly what I got. I did not want my "dirty" CO2 tanks in mingle among with my flowering ladies...and that is exactly what I got. I did not want to spend over $200...and that is exactly what I got.
	Quote

08-20-2017, 03:50 PM	#6
caljim I'm on the edge. Of what I'm not sure. Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mostly in my head Posts: 1,286	Doctime420..the dead band on the unit is kinda wide...900 to 1450..thats a big swing.. From the list I liked the Auto pilot ppm5, for the tighter dead band, and the Rad 0501 for its to the ppm adjustability. All that being said..I have been using a CAP "fuzzy logic" controller since 2003. A lot of their stuff was junk...this thing keeps on ticking.
	Quote

08-20-2017, 11:26 PM	#10
DocTim420 The Doctor is OUT and has moved on... Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 1,192	That CO2 meter is cool and works like a champ; exact same one I borrowed to verify my PPM-4 controller. Just for the record, my PPM-4 has been in operation for about 2 & half years, and I have experienced zero issues thus far. No moving parts and easy to calibrate. Good luck man! Originally I was going to go with the gas burner CO2 generator route, but...like you, did not like the reviews I heard. The problem I kept hearing were mainly about using CO2 generators were more problematic in indoor operations (which I am)--but less so in greenhouse operations (which I am not). Not sure why, maybe because indoor systems are more of a "closed system" (little to zero exchange of fresh air)...unlike "open" greenhouse structures (which normally experiences a greater amount of air exchange)....don't know, but that's my theory.
	Quote