Setup Instructions for the LINKS Hub
LINKS Hub Technical Specifications
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Power Input: |
1A@24Vdc - Class II / Limited Energy Power Supply |
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Max Device Current: |
1A per port / 1A combined |
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Master (Input/Com) Port: |
1x RJ-45 to Local Network |
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Device (Outputs) Ports: |
8x RJ-45 for LINK Devices |
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Power Indicator: |
LED |
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Operating Temperature: |
10°C - 50°C ( 50 - 122°F ) |
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Operating Humidity: Power Terminals: Protocols Supported: |
Max 75% RH (non-condensing) Port for use with 24VDC Power Adapter Ethernet, 2.4 GHz Wi-fi, Growlink LINK Devices |
Features
- Universal Compatibility: Easily integrates LINKS devices with Growlink's control and monitoring platform, creating a unified system for streamlined operations.
- Standalone or Integrated Use: Operates independently or complements other Growlink controllers, flexibly adapting to your setup.
- Flexible Integration: Mix and match Growlink and LINKS hardware to scale effortlessly for both commercial and craft growers.
- Enhanced Precision: Enables comprehensive monitoring and environmental management, optimizing conditions for healthier plants and maximized yields.
What’s Included
x1 Hub
x1 AC/DC Power Supply
x1 Mounting Kit
x1 10 ft. RJ-45 Cable
LINKS Hub Dimensions
Size: 7.5” / 191mm (L) x
7.5” / 191mm (W) x
3.75” / 92mm (H)
Installation & Wiring Instructions
Mounting the Enclosure
It is recommended to install a HUB outside of each room and pass cables through walls to equipment and sensors in the rooms. When possible, mount equipment outside of the growing environment for better service access and reduced exposure to humidity. If a HUB is to be installed in a humid growing environment, mounting in a sealed enclosure is recommended.
Follow these tips for best results:
- Install the HUB in a dry location away from drips or condensation.
- Ensure the HUB is accessible for service.
- Use a weatherproof enclosure for high humidity conditions (>70% continuous.)
- Place the HUB in the area intended for mounting. Ensure there is adequate space for connections.
- Mark the hole locations and install anchors or pre-drill holes if necessary.
- Mount the enclosure to the wall or ceiling using mounting bracket.
Note:
Protect input jacks from dust or contamination during installation, cover ports with masking tape.
Connections
HUBs must be connected to a network switch or router for communicating with the Growlink Cloud. You are also able to connect the HUB to your WI-FI network as either the main connection for the HUB or as a backup connection.
The HUB features an Ethernet Port that connects the controller to the local network. Eight (8) downstream ports are provided for connecting devices or additional hubs. A power jack provides power to the hub and the eight device ports from a wall mounted power supply:
Power Supply: 24VDC / 1 Amp power supply is required to operate the HUB.
Ethernet Cable: Connect the Hub to the local network (Optionally, utilize 2.4GHz Wi-Fi)
Device Cable: Connect HUB connection devices to the numbered hub ports. All cabling is standard 8-conductor RJ-45 straight through (no cross-over.) T568B pattern recommended.
Mobile App Setup Guide
1) Plug in your LINKS Hub to power it on. The LED should be blinking blue. If not, hold the SETUP button until status light flashes blue rapidly (12-15 seconds).
2) Download the Growlink app from the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store:
3) Go to portal2.growlink.com/signup or tap the ‘Sign Up’ button at the login page of the Growlink Mobile App to create a Growlink Account: 
After creating your account, a verification email will be sent from ‘no-reply@growlink.com’ to the email address set for your newly created account. One must verify your email address in order to utilize your newly created account.
4) Open the Growlink Mobile App and login to your newly created and verified account: 
5) Tap the icon of three lines in the top-left of the Mobile App, then tap the Hardware button in the following menu:
6) One can add a controller to an existing room, or tap the ‘+Add’ button in the following page to add a new room to your account. This is the container that will hold the future controller registration.
7) If you are creating a new Room, provide a name for the Room, the Square Footage of the Room, and the Room Type, followed by tapping the 'Create’ Button to finish creating that room:
8) Once an existing room has been selected or a new room has been created, tap the ‘Continue’ button to begin registering the controller to your account.
9) In the Add Hardware Wizard, tap the LINKS option on the page:
10) Select the ‘Add Devices’ option to add the controller to the specified room.
11) Select the ‘Hub’ option in the following menu that populates.
12) Select the ‘Get Started’ button underneath the ‘Set up a WiFi device’ section if your to connect your LINKS Hub via WiFi. LINKS connected via WiFi can only connect to secured 2.4GHz networks and cannot connect to WiFi networks that are not secured with a password and/or 5GHz WiFi networks.
If you have your LINKS Hub connected to your network via an Ethernet cable, tap the ‘Get Started’ button underneath the ‘Set up an Ethernet Device’ section. Follow the prompts under their respective section to connect the controller to your network and register the Hub to your account:
13) Once successfully connected, the following success message will display. Tap the ‘Add Equipment to this Controller’ to add LINKS equipment to this Hub, Tap the ‘Edit Controller Profile’ button to update the Controller Profile Settings, or tap the ‘Go to Room Dashboard’ button to view the dashboard for the newly connected LINKS Hub:
Add New Devices to an Existing Links Hub
1) To add new LINKS equipment to an existing Links Hub, tap the icon of three lines in the top-left of the Mobile App, then tap the Hardware button in the following menu:
2) In the following page, tap the ‘+Add’ button on the top-right of the hardware page to open the Add hardware Wizard:
3) Select the LINKS option on the following page:
4) Select the LINKS Module that you are adding to your LINKS Hub and connect the equipment to one of the LINKS Hub ports:
5) Once the LINKS device has been selected, tap the ‘Add to a HUB’ option in the following page that populates:
6) Select the LINKS Hub you wish to add the LINKS device to (in case you have multiple LINKS Hubs): 
7) The Links Hub will now iterate through the list of currently connected devices one module at a time and populate what devices have yet to be registered to the Links Hub. It is important to connect Links modules to the Hub one at a time.
Sensor Modules like the Canopy Link will display their sensor readings, and their associated sensor names can be renamed if desired:
Device output modules like the Relay Link will have a Device name and device type field per output, which allows the user to rename the output and device type to match the device being controlled by the output:
Lighting Control modules like the Digital Light Link will have a ‘Manufacturer’ drop-down list, where the user can specify the make of lights connected to the module:
To skip a specific module from being registered to your Links Hub, tap the ‘Skip’ button at the bottom of the wizard. Once the sensor or devices have been named to your liking and any required fields for the module have been designated, one can tap the ‘Next Device’ button to move onto the next module detected by the Links Hub.
Once all currently detected modules are registered or skipped, a final confirmation window will populate:
If you wish to add an additional Links module, connect the module to the Links Hub while at this screen, then tap the ‘Check for new equipment’ button. Once all LINKS equipment has been registered to the LINKS Hub, tap the ‘I’ve registered all connected equipment’ button to exit the Add Hardware wizard.
Troubleshooting
Controller not showing up on my list of devices to connect:
Check your phone or tablet and ensure Bluetooth is enabled.
Hold down the Setup button located on the controller (see image below) for approximately 12-15 seconds until there is a rapid flashing blue light. Then refresh the device list on your phone or tablet.
Unplug the unit for 10 seconds and then plug the device back in and wait for the LED lights to stop changing colors (typically 15 seconds). Then refresh the device list on your phone or tablet.
Controller didn’t connect to Wi-Fi:
If unsuccessful in the first attempt to connect the controller to the Wi-Fi network, hold down the Setup button located on the controller (see image below) for approximately 12-15 seconds until there is a rapid flashing blue light. Once rapid flashing becomes visible, immediately release the Setup button. This will put the controller into Listening Mode (Blinking Blue). Now, restart the connection process outlined in the Mobile App Setup Guide section above.
Controller LED Status Light Color Codes
During device setup and operation, these are the LED light indicators:
- Solid White: Firmware Startup
- Slow Flashing Green: Wi-Fi connecting
- Fast Flashing Green: Wi-Fi waiting on IP address
- Fast Flashing Cyan: Wi-Fi connected, connecting to cloud
- Fast Breathing Green: Loading configuration and detecting probes
- Slow Breathing Green: Connected to cloud and running
- Slow Flashing Blue: Wi-Fi configuration mode
- Safe Mode: Slow breathing magenta
- Safe Mode Requested: Fast flashing magenta
- Firmware Updating: Slow flashing magenta
- Slow Flashing Blue: Wi-Fi setup mode
