Winter Box Project

WinterBox Crew

WinterBox Crew

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Project Description:

A greenhouse that protects plants throughout the winter season with heat, accelerator lights, automatic watering, and an auto vent opener (optional). Heat is being utilized by a temperature sensitive controller that senses if the air or soil gets too cold for the plants. Accelerator lights are a replacement for the sunlight during the winter season. Automatic watering is the wicks that come from the water in the bottom storage area combined with a hydrophobic material.

Project Problem Solved: 

Plants are given an ability to last throughout the winter season prior to them being in the greenhouse throughout the winter season.

Project Technologies Utilized:

  • Electronics
  • Physical Programming
  • Fabrication
  • 3D Design

Project Diagram:

Concept Design

Project Budget:

  • $500 

Keywords to google for project:

  • Wireless Energy
  • Greenhouse
  • Plants
  • Winter Garden 
  • Copper coils
  • Hydrophobic

Materials Needed:

  • Polyurethane Smooth Flat Trim Moulding 
  • Double Pane Windows (Lifting)x2***  36in x 18in with a peak on top made with window or frame
  • NeverWet Spray
  • Acrylic sheets (for a 36in box) 
  • Computer Fans (water resistant) (micro center)
  • Inclosure Heater (550 WATT) 
  • Temperature Sensor and Controller
  • Humidity Controller
  • 50/50 LED RGBS 36×9 rectangle with remote or way to control colors and timing with a controller we build
  • Heating Wire (email)
  • Old Top opening Freezers/Coolers (For testing)***
  • Small Screen***
  • Arduino (For controlling)
  • Quarter inch wick (email)
  • Soil
  • Primrose plants
  • Fish tank rocks****
  • Hinges

Where to get materials:

Rapid Prototype (Pictures)

Rapid Prototyping Rapid PrototypingRapid Prototyping Rapid Prototyping  

July 11, 2016

Tasks for the day:

  • Update our order list on spreadsheet
  • Go to Home Depot and get materials 
  • Research how to power all appliances and how to control the environment 

image  image  image

Power:

Power outlet: 120V (AC) {3-12 DC}

 Things that use power:

  • Computer Fans
  • Inclosure Heating: 550 W –> 14 A = 39.28 V ~ 40V (DC)
  • Humidity Controller 3W –> 200mA/ .2A = 15V (DC)
  • Arduino .2325W –> 5v 46.5mA = 5V (DC)
  • 50/50 LED RGBS
  • Small Screen 

Problems that Arose and their solutions:

  • Researching about how to code Temperature and Humidity Sensors 
  • Connecting the wires to the Breadboard

Technologies Used:

  • Physical Programming (Grove Kit)
  • Breadboard
  • Resistors
  • Humidity Sensor
  • Temperature Sensor

July 12, 2016

Tasks for the day:

  • Design Review #1

Design Review Presentation:

Problems that Arose and their solutions:

  • Presentation did not convey project to review panel and other youth teachers
    • Solution: Answered their questions and went back to make sure we had all the information needed to allow people to understand the project well.

 

July 13, 2016

Tasks for the day:

  • Make Blueprint
  • Look for double paned window

BlueprintDiagram 1 Diagram 2

Scouting for Materials:

  IMG_3471 IMG_3470IMG_3473

Problems that Arose and their solutions:

Technologies Used:

  • No technologies used

 

July 14, 2016

Tasks for the day:

  • work on circuitry (Marc)
  • Solidworks rendering of project (Brad and Rian)
  • Update Blog

IMG_3478 IMG_3479image1 image5image2 image3image4

 

Problems that Arose and their solutions:

Technologies Used:

  • 3D Design

 

July 18, 2016

Tasks for the day:

  • Update blog
  • Review about Amplifiers and Different Wire Gauges
  • Dremel the Insides of Our wood for Our Windows
  • Prototype windows

 

IMG_1614IMG_1615IMG_1611IMG_1613

Problems that Arose and their solutions:

Problems:

  • The Dremel broke

Solutions:

  • We improvised with newer bits
  • improved in our technique with the Dremel

Technologies Used:

  • Saws
  • Circuits

July 19, 2016

Tasks for The day:

  • Sanding
  • Getting the top of the Winterbox Completed
  • Building the Front

Problems that Arose and their solutions:

Problems:

  • A window support broke 
  • The Power Saw was old and burned the wood
  • Other people needed to use the electronics table
  • Sawing wood took longer than we actually hoped
  • The Window also broke (due to excessive glue)

Solutions:

  • Making a new support beam
  • Brad ordered a new window
  • Brad got a better saw
  • We moved to outside

Technologies Used:

  •  Saws
  • Drills
  • Circuits
  • Caulk

July 20, 2016

Tasks for The day:

  • Sawing wood for the peak
  • Sawing wood for the sides
  • Starting on the box
  • Confirm a working circuit

Problems that Arose and their solutions:

Problems:

Solutions:

Technologies Used:

  • Saws
  • Drills
  • Computer aided drawings

July 26, 2016

Desc: Brad headed to Andrew Square Auto Glass to pick up a replacement for our project. This was due to the fact that our supplier hadn’t done a great job with gluing our window. And the two windows were sadly attached which inconvenienced us because, when separated one broke. Which caused the need for replacement. The overall idea for this experience is that our supplier should’ve took no longer than a day but it took over 2 weeks.

July 29, 2016

Brad the scheduled a meeting with a window framing company, the company changed it for Wednesday Thankfully, Brad and I visited 3 different electronics stores and made a connection with one for any extra assistance. We currently have a temperature and humidity sensor, a RGB backlight screen that displays the information, and one button working. We do need additional buttons for optimal control and a code that automatically controls.

August 1, 2016