All of the digital outputs on our controllers can be set to a number of device types. Depending on the product being used, one may see only a subset of the device types listed below. Most device types just designate an icon for the output so that they can be easily identified, however there are some device types that have some additional back-end logic. Listed below are all the device types that can be specified for an output, and any additional back-end logic associated with those device types:
Not in Use – A device set to ‘Not in Use’ cannot be called from any configured rule. This also removes the output as a billable data point within Growlink Pro subscription plans.
None – A device set to ‘None’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Air Conditioner – A device set to the ‘Air Conditioner’ device type imposes a minimum run time of 2 minutes in any sensor trigger that is calling this output to be active. This is done to prevent the compressor for the air conditioner from being short-cycled when being controlled in a dry contact setup.
Batch Tank – A device set to the ‘Batch Tank’ device type ignores any fertigation queueing. This allows this valve to open and close from any rule calling it regardless of what is currently being dosed from a Central Feed System, as its main purpose is allowing feed valves from Batch Tanks to open as needed.
CO2 Burner – A device set to the ‘CO2 Burner’ device type is not allowed to be active outside of the day range set on the controller, due to plants not needing CO2 enrichment at night when they are not photosynthesizing but are actively respiring.
Additional back-end logic with the ‘CO2 Burner’ device type prevents this output from turning on if any Dehumidifiers or Exhaust fans are currently active, as this could cause the CO2 being placed into the room being subsequently shunted out of the room continuously if the room is not a closed system.
CO2 Regulator – A device set to the ‘CO2 Regulator’ device type is not allowed to be active outside of the day range set on the controller, due to plants not needing CO2 enrichment at night when they are actively respiring.
Additional back-end logic with the ‘CO2 Regulator’ device type prevents this output from turning on if any Dehumidifiers or Exhaust fans are currently active, as this could cause the CO2 being placed into the room being subsequently shunted out of the room continuously if the room is not a closed system.
Dehumidifier – A device set to ‘Dehumidifier’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Dosing Pump – A device set to the ‘Dosing Pump’ device type utilizes an algorithm to determine the throttle rate of the dosing pump based on the distance that the sensor data being used to trigger the pump is from its target (such as the pH or TDS of a batch tank it is connected to). These are commonly used for peristaltic pumps.
When a device is set to the Dosing Pump device type, there are additional fields that will populate on the controller's profile settings called the Nutrient Run Time and Nutrient Wait Time. These fields allow the user to designate how long the pumps will run (Nutrient Run Time) followed by a period of time that they will not be allowed to dose (Nutrient Wait Time) when called to activate via a rule. This setup works well for flow-through systems, where one needs to allow time for mixing to occur inside the system before further addition of nutrients or acids/bases to the solution.
Dosing Pump (Inline) – A device set to the ‘Dosing Pump (Inline)’ device type uses a separate algorithm than the Dosing Pump device type to determine the throttle rate of a pump. This device type utilizes the flow rate being detected in the manifold (in Gallons per Minute), the maximum output of the pump (in Gallons per Hour), and the injection volume the pump is being called to dose in the dosing recipe being specified on the Central Feed System (in Milliliters per Gallon). This device type is utilized for Etatron, Seko, and HE Anderson pumps.
Exhaust Fan – A device set to ‘Exhaust Fan’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Fan - A device set to ‘Fan’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Heater - A device set to ‘Heater’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Humidifier - A device set to ‘Humidifier’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Irrigation - A device set to the ‘Irrigation’ device type can be subject to Fertigation Queueing logic, where the valve can be prevented from opening if the rule calling it is associated with a different dosing recipe than what is currently being dosed by the Central Feed System.
Light – A device set to the ‘Light’ device type is subject to two different back-end failsafes: The High Temp failsafe and No Data Failsafe.
The High Temp failsafe turns off any ‘Light’ or ‘Light (0-10V)’ device type if a specific temperature is exceeded on any sensor that the controller is recording from (default is 95°F). When triggered, this failsafe will prevent the lights from turning on from any rule for at least 10 minutes.
The No Data failsafe is triggered when no data from any environmental sensor is reported for at least 5 minutes straight from what is registered to the controller. This failsafe will turn off any ‘Light’ or ‘Light (0-10V)’ device until data is detected from any registered environmental sensor.
Light (0-10V) – A device set to the ‘Light (0-10V)’ device type can be used for proportional control. Additionally, this device type is subject to two different back-end failsafes: The High Temp failsafe and No Data Failsafe.
The High Temp failsafe turns off any ‘Light’ or ‘Light (0-10V)’ device type if a specific temperature is exceeded on any sensor that the controller is recording from (default is 95°F). When triggered, this failsafe will prevent the lights from turning on from any rule for 10 minutes.
The No Data failsafe is triggered when no data from any environmental sensor is reported for at least 5 minutes straight. This failsafe will turn off any ‘Light’ or ‘Light (0-10V)’ device until data is detected from any registered environmental sensor.
Motor Vents - A device set to ‘Motor Vents’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type. The Motor Vents device type is primarily used with Motor Controllers and is compatible with proportional control of the vent itself.
Pad Pump - A device set to ‘Pad Pump’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Reservoir Chiller - A device set to ‘Reservoir Chiller’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Reservoir Drain - A device set to ‘Reservoir Drain’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Reservoir Fill - A device set to the ‘Reservoir Fill’ device type can be subject to Fertigation Queueing logic, where the valve can be prevented from opening if the rule calling it is associated with a different dosing recipe than what is currently being dosed by the Central Feed System.
Reservoir Pump - A device set to ‘Reservoir Pump’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type.
Shading Screen - A device set to ‘Shading Screen’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type. The Shading Screen device type is primarily used with Motor Controllers and is compatible with proportional control of the screen itself.
Thermal Screen - A device set to ‘Thermal Screen’ has no additional logic imposed from its device type. The Thermal Screen device type is primarily used with Motor Controllers and is compatible with proportional control of the screen itself.
Valve - A device set to the ‘Valve’ device type can be subject to Fertigation Queueing logic, where the valve can be prevented from opening if the rule calling it is associated with a different dosing recipe than what is currently being dosed by the Central Feed System.
Valve (Exclusive) - A device set to the ‘Valve (Exclusive)’ device type can be subject to Fertigation Queueing logic, where the valve can be prevented from opening if the rule calling it is associated with a different dosing recipe than what is currently being dosed by the Central Feed System.
Additionally, the Valve (Exclusive) device type only allows a single valve out of all of the valves set to the Valve (Exclusive) device type to be active at any one time. This device type is primarily used for Batch Tank Fill Valves and Master Valves for direct injection Fertigation Skids, in order to ensure that feeds for a particular batch tank or flower room are only sent to that specific tank or room.