[CH] Cardboard Box heater for seed Germination
Byron (byronbromley@tellink.net)
Sat, 06 Mar 2004 20:09:04 -0500
It seems that I didn't express myself correctly to some folks about this
method of applying some heat to your seed trays for germinating seeds.
I shall try again.
Step 1 obtain an empty cardboard box with about the same dimensions
as the bottom of your seed starting set up .
Step 2. Fold the flaps to the inside of the box
Step 3. Place the OPEN side of the box over a 40 to 60 watt light bulb
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/byron101540/detail?.dir=/75aa&.dnm=191e.jpg
Step 4. Allow the inside of the box to warm up for about 4 hours.
Place a seed tray on the box with a $5 dial thermometer between the box
and tray
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/byron101540/detail?.dir=/75aa&.dnm=7a29.jpg
Step 5. If the box is over about 85 deg F ( 30C for you folks above
the border) You can do one of about three things
A. Purchase a temp sender and interface for your computer which can
lower the volatage to the bulb
B, Purchase a light dimmer switch and lower the voltage to the bulb
or
C. You can cut a small hole in the side of the box and let some of the
heat escape
See above photo
Step 6. You might need to vary the amount of opening for the correct
amount of heat escapment
Again there are a couple of choices.
A. You can get a temperature sensor and a servo to vary the degree of
opening that you need
or
B. you can use my alternate cheap method
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/byron101540/detail?.dir=/75aa&.dnm=e7d3.jpg
Step 7 Last but not least, maybe the hole is too big so you have to
"Undo" and start over
(OH Chile Gawds don't let M$ sue me)
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/byron101540/detail?.dir=/75aa&.dnm=dc78.jpg
:-)
L.B.