HELP! Iffy Thermocube?
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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HELP! Iffy Thermocube?
Trying to figure out why the thermocube protecting the less-insulated (for now) Brahea armata didn't turn lights on when outside temp dipped to 0C 32F.
The other thermocube protecting teepee Washies went on, and Washies have MORE insulation.
Noticed that the Brahea's extension cord has those tiny lights at each end to show it's got power.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/10823269743/" title="003 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/1082 ... 386b19.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="003"></a>
other end: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/10823252223/" title="002 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/1082 ... 593940.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="002"></a>
Questions:
1. Could the tiny lights on extension cord actually warm up the thermocube enough to affect its operation?
2. Do thermocubes fail after a few years?
3. Remote thermometers...are they reliable for, say, 10 years or do they slowly fail?
Barb
The other thermocube protecting teepee Washies went on, and Washies have MORE insulation.
Noticed that the Brahea's extension cord has those tiny lights at each end to show it's got power.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/10823269743/" title="003 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/1082 ... 386b19.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="003"></a>
other end: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/southslope/10823252223/" title="002 by edible_plum, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/1082 ... 593940.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="002"></a>
Questions:
1. Could the tiny lights on extension cord actually warm up the thermocube enough to affect its operation?
2. Do thermocubes fail after a few years?
3. Remote thermometers...are they reliable for, say, 10 years or do they slowly fail?
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
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- seedscanada
- Small Palm
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Barb,
1. Yes It can make a difference, but mine is as yours is and works fine.
2. Yes I prefer to keep a spare.
3. Yes they can fail in the first year, especially in a moist freeze/thaw environment. My Brahea has a new remote wireless thermometer to reassure me. No worries, if you've kept it dry, 32'f on the Brahea is no problem, if for a night. I've replaced my remote thermometer three times in the past three years, due to failure,
I Have lost sleep over questioning thermocubes and light bulbs.
To reassure me I use the remote thermometer as stated.
Separately (for the other eight enclosures) I make sure a t-cube controlled light is visible, even if only a glow to the box or a corner with a little bit of light visible through at night.
On my tiny boxes, (volunteer double Butia seedlings, ad separately, triple Phoenix dactylifera 'Medjool' I have 3 bulbs at 7w apiece on at all times. They are 3 different colours to make a quick visual reference whether any have burnt out.
And lastly, the thermocube for my temporary greenhouse is working, but i wanna know just by glancing out the window. I plan to plug in one or two LED lights from a string of lights to the thermocube as well.
When sitting at our dining room table last winter, I felt assured by the intermittent glow of my Brahea box and the +positive celcius readings on the remote thermometers.
Good luck. Oh and ordering a spare t-cube couldn't hurt for piece of mind.
Cheers!
1. Yes It can make a difference, but mine is as yours is and works fine.
2. Yes I prefer to keep a spare.
3. Yes they can fail in the first year, especially in a moist freeze/thaw environment. My Brahea has a new remote wireless thermometer to reassure me. No worries, if you've kept it dry, 32'f on the Brahea is no problem, if for a night. I've replaced my remote thermometer three times in the past three years, due to failure,
I Have lost sleep over questioning thermocubes and light bulbs.
To reassure me I use the remote thermometer as stated.
Separately (for the other eight enclosures) I make sure a t-cube controlled light is visible, even if only a glow to the box or a corner with a little bit of light visible through at night.
On my tiny boxes, (volunteer double Butia seedlings, ad separately, triple Phoenix dactylifera 'Medjool' I have 3 bulbs at 7w apiece on at all times. They are 3 different colours to make a quick visual reference whether any have burnt out.
And lastly, the thermocube for my temporary greenhouse is working, but i wanna know just by glancing out the window. I plan to plug in one or two LED lights from a string of lights to the thermocube as well.
When sitting at our dining room table last winter, I felt assured by the intermittent glow of my Brahea box and the +positive celcius readings on the remote thermometers.
Good luck. Oh and ordering a spare t-cube couldn't hurt for piece of mind.
Cheers!
Adam
Zone pusher7a. Trail runner, marathon racer. Propagator of Yuccas, palms and Pawpaws among others. World traveller. Language collector, lol.
Latitude: 43°11'00.000" N
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Zone pusher7a. Trail runner, marathon racer. Propagator of Yuccas, palms and Pawpaws among others. World traveller. Language collector, lol.
Latitude: 43°11'00.000" N
https://www.instagram.com/adamseedscanada/
http://myworld.ebay.ca/seedscanada
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
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Yeah, I like that idea too...the little light on the cord WAS on, doesn't mean the Tcube was working.I make sure a t-cube controlled light is visible, even if only a glow to the box or a corner with a little bit of light visible through at night.
I'm with you on that...the reassurance of the glow, but with 3 protections this winter, I've used up my spare Tcube.
I even tested them all by putting them in the freezer with a string of lights.
They all worked but (of course ) I forgot to put a temp sensor on them to see WHEN they went on.
Found another string of lights...may add that
BTW, Home Depot says they won't stock Tcubes.
I told them "bet you stock them for folks in Florida, as though they need a Tcube"
So it's back to ordering from aartech @ $25.99 each PLUS $15 shipping.
And they're only $12.99 in the USA box stores.
Oh, and HD was out of remote thermometers too.
Thanks Adam!
Barb
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- TerdalFarm
- Palm Grove
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sorry about H-D. Yes, they are cheap down here, so I'd keep extras on hand. Maybe I should mail you a box of 20 and you can set up an eBay store up there?
As for testing them, what I use to do was put them in the freezer for a bit to et them cold, then test them. Can you do that?
What I am hoping is that your Brahea box simply didn't get cold enough.
As for testing them, what I use to do was put them in the freezer for a bit to et them cold, then test them. Can you do that?
What I am hoping is that your Brahea box simply didn't get cold enough.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
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Did that, but didn't include a thermometer to see at what temp it activated the lights.put them in the freezer for a bit
Or is it a case of: they work, or don't work at all.
I'm worried the temperature at which a T-cube activates might fluctuate as T-cube ages.
Is that likely?
I have ZERO electrical knowledge (like you didn't guess that already )
Barb
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- TerdalFarm
- Palm Grove
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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The T3 thermocube and string of lights were placed IN the freezer.
Yes it turned lights on, so it works.
But at what temp ???
But hasn't worked once I returned thermocube to the Brahea armata teepee.
The remote was reading 0C 32F.
A T3 is supposed to activate at 1.6C 35F.
Something's wonky...remote thermometer? T3? extension cord?
The only good thing is that this is happening now instead of January when the Brahea would be a corpse.
Barb
Yes it turned lights on, so it works.
But at what temp ???
But hasn't worked once I returned thermocube to the Brahea armata teepee.
The remote was reading 0C 32F.
A T3 is supposed to activate at 1.6C 35F.
Something's wonky...remote thermometer? T3? extension cord?
The only good thing is that this is happening now instead of January when the Brahea would be a corpse.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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- seedscanada
- Small Palm
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Barb, 25 plus 15 bucks? Nononono. eBay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ThermoCube-Therm ... 1#shpCntId
That's 17 and ten. They offer combined shipping. You would have paid 40 for one. here you can get one for 27 or two for ($44?)
I always look at ebay, even more options at ebay.COM
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ThermoCube-Therm ... 1#shpCntId
That's 17 and ten. They offer combined shipping. You would have paid 40 for one. here you can get one for 27 or two for ($44?)
I always look at ebay, even more options at ebay.COM
Adam
Zone pusher7a. Trail runner, marathon racer. Propagator of Yuccas, palms and Pawpaws among others. World traveller. Language collector, lol.
Latitude: 43°11'00.000" N
https://www.instagram.com/adamseedscanada/
http://myworld.ebay.ca/seedscanada
<a href="http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/fin ... ipes"><img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... edState=ON" alt="Click for Beamsville, Ontario Forecast" height="90" width="160" />
Zone pusher7a. Trail runner, marathon racer. Propagator of Yuccas, palms and Pawpaws among others. World traveller. Language collector, lol.
Latitude: 43°11'00.000" N
https://www.instagram.com/adamseedscanada/
http://myworld.ebay.ca/seedscanada
<a href="http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/fin ... ipes"><img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... edState=ON" alt="Click for Beamsville, Ontario Forecast" height="90" width="160" />
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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Thanks Adam, appreciate the tip of where to buy.
Yeah, I even emailed aartech and asked why $15 bucks to ship an 8-ounce item.
Got some ridiculous answer about shipping contract.
Ergo "kickback",
Barb
Yeah, I even emailed aartech and asked why $15 bucks to ship an 8-ounce item.
Got some ridiculous answer about shipping contract.
Ergo "kickback",
Barb
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If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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- TerdalFarm
- Palm Grove
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- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:48 pm
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Hmmm...maybe try again. Personally, I wouldn't worry for Brahea if the thermocube is a few degrees off, as long as it kicks in. Nice thing about Brahea, vs (e.g.) Bismarckia is the safety zone (8 vs 9). But: I lost Brahea in a heated greenhouse in 2011 so know they are zone 8 and not zone 7. Make sure those thermocubes work, please.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
I lost Brahea in a heated greenhouse in 2011
Yup, they're worth the effort.
At least so far
And so far, our projected cold hasn't arrived.
But it will in 3 days...aaaargh!
Thanks Erik.
Barb
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If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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What a coincidance. I suspect my Thermocube is wonky as well.
I was waiting to see it if would activate last night at 35 F. It was 11:30 pm and still 36 F outside. I could not stay up any longer. It was on this morning but then stopped while it was still 32 F. Then it went back on.
Perhaps time to procure a new one.
I was waiting to see it if would activate last night at 35 F. It was 11:30 pm and still 36 F outside. I could not stay up any longer. It was on this morning but then stopped while it was still 32 F. Then it went back on.
Perhaps time to procure a new one.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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Yeah, it shouldn't go off until 45F.
Or maybe sunlight was warming the protection for a while?
Or maybe sunlight was warming the protection for a while?
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I thought that might be the case. It was 39 F in the greenhouse. The cube is in an outlet on the front porch which may get warmer quicker than everything else.lucky1 wrote:Yeah, it shouldn't go off until 45F.
Or maybe sunlight was warming the protection for a while?
Still, it went off and then on again and that never happened when I used it last. Admittedly that was at least three years ago, I think.
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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You haven't used it for 3 years?
i.e. at the palm, connected to the string of lights.
Or maybe I misunderstood what you posted.
Barb
The T cube should be where the temp protection is needed.cube is in an outlet on the front porch which may get warmer quicker than everything else
i.e. at the palm, connected to the string of lights.
Or maybe I misunderstood what you posted.
Barb
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- TerdalFarm
- Palm Grove
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I am not using it to protect a palm. I procured a 6 x 6 portable greenhouse to overwinter the Citrus and other Tropicals. The basement in the winter is too dry.lucky1 wrote:You haven't used it for 3 years?
The T cube should be where the temp protection is needed.cube is in an outlet on the front porch which may get warmer quicker than everything else
i.e. at the palm, connected to the string of lights.
Or maybe I misunderstood what you posted.
Barb
I am using a protable oil heater to heat the greenhouse. So if I put the Thermocube at the source, it will never shut off as it will be inside the already-warmed greenhouse.
The outlet is the same one I used when I was protecting a Butia inside another smaller greenhouse.
So it goes Outlet>Thermocube>Exstension Cord>Heater
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
Understand now, thanks.it will never shut off as it will be inside the already-warmed greenhouse
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If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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Barb
I know you did not have a sensor in there but even if you did
there can be a few degrees difference in accuracy of the thermocube
and the sensor which makes the actual spread in temps a little tricky
to pin down-my Washy would go on somewhere between 31-34F.
Bottom line is -if it is working and is off a few degrees it won't matter
as your plant will not-ever- freeze even if the Therm comes on at 32F
I know you did not have a sensor in there but even if you did
there can be a few degrees difference in accuracy of the thermocube
and the sensor which makes the actual spread in temps a little tricky
to pin down-my Washy would go on somewhere between 31-34F.
Bottom line is -if it is working and is off a few degrees it won't matter
as your plant will not-ever- freeze even if the Therm comes on at 32F
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- Arctic Palm Plantation
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- Joined: Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:31 pm
- Location: Vernon BC, Zone 5a or 5b (close to 6A!)
Good point Jim....a few degrees variation.
But I did have a sensor in there, that's what alerted me to thinking the lights should've come on by now...
The Brahea armata will be tougher to keep happy than the Washies.
I'll just move the thermocube to a colder spot in the protection, away from the house.
Cold arrives here this weekend.
And midwest/east folks will be wearing shorts again.
Thanks.
Barb
But I did have a sensor in there, that's what alerted me to thinking the lights should've come on by now...
The Brahea armata will be tougher to keep happy than the Washies.
I'll just move the thermocube to a colder spot in the protection, away from the house.
Cold arrives here this weekend.
And midwest/east folks will be wearing shorts again.
Thanks.
Barb
<img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/ ... anguage=EN" alt="Find more about Weather in Vernon, CA" width="160" />
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
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