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On Topic?Seed Starting- Fans - Timers,

Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

>"Lon J. Rombough" <lonrom@hevanet.com> wrote:
Square Foot Gardening List - http://www.flinet.com/~gallus/sqft.html

>Scratch that last reply - went to the wrong place.
-Lon Rombough
----------
*I heard a bit ago, "This is borderline OT...reply directly to me..."

I had A Phys Ed instructor who was a real stickler for detail.
Real Hardcase.  It was made exactly plain, and I have seen
it on TV tennis, on the line, counts.

In any event, I wish to be included in the timers, et al
discussion.  If we can humorously discuss winter warmers
for ancillary compost innoculation-moisturizing facilitators,
this should fly too.  I would think, like Blueberries, etc,
it would run its course ia a few days or a week for the
most part.  Except for a dribble here and there.

If wrong, please say so.  In which case, please allow me
to begin a side List immeadiatley, concerning same...
the hardware side of gardening.  I've been considering
it for a couplee months.  The timer approach I was
considering uses a 1684 chip.

Someone asked why these timers...Pat I think.

A cheap timer $5, on/off 1-2, maybe4 times in 24 hours.
1Hr min setting.

A little better, 24 settings, up to 12 on/off cycles,
but still 1 Hr min.

Then the $50 - $150 versions.  Settings to 15 minute
intervals.  Some heater thermostat controls for $40 are
better, if you're handy/clever to adapt them.
They have timer chips.

The harware costs "so much."  Then there's "labor."
With a computerized timer, whether 'stand-along' or
attatched to a computer, per se, then fancy thinking
can be programmed in.  That's never been a problem.
Robots can get fancy brains via computers.
The externals were tough, but have come a long way.
We have elec sprinkler controls, etc. now.
The really tough (and expensive part was the nerve
center.  All this brain power has to reach the periferal...
the thing the 'timer' wants to turn on or off.
There's only one thing worse than this.  Sensing.
Is it wet?  Is the soil dry?  Is it going to rain
(so I shouldn't water?)

this goes beyond the direct issue at hand, but
cost 2 lines.

Your answer... computerised timers can turn on for
3 minutes, and off for 16, and repeat, until 7:15 PM,
then on for 1 minute, and off for 28 minutes, where
the best MECHANICAL timers operate from stamped out
metal contacts etceteras, and if you're lucky, will
go down to a 15 minute MINimum period/setting, whether
on or off.  The problem is making the parts small,
but strong enough to actuate a mechanical relay.
Comuters manipulate a second or minute as easily
as an hour or a week.

So, we can learn how to make or where to buy these, or
we can go Off List, or we can start a new List, which
I've almost done.  I feel this is simply a side issue,
like fertilizer.  Or databases.  It is a garden tool.

Your opinions, please.
Bill

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