Automatic Greenhouse Window Opener, Univent 

Lauren Laurino Thanks! I am considering building a bench in there to chill. It's super relaxing.

Dawn Owens Lol thanks. There seem to be a lot to choose from...I am planning on using the drone more as I get comfortable with it. Crashing it on day 2 of owning it kind of spooked me a bit. Thanks for always leaving nice comments!!!

Stanley Vo I appreciate the comment. It’s still working great. I hope your experience is a good one too. Let me know when you get it installed, I’d be interested in hearing how it works for you. ATB!

Joyce Herbert So far it’s been working really well without any issues. It’s been fully opened on the hottest days but didn’t seem to pose any problems...yet, lol.

Bill Wagner thank you. I enjoy making these videos the most. Playing in the yard while being productive is hard to beat!

Sherry Mason Thanks for the comment. I had to modify it a bit to fit the window but it’s been working great all summer. I abandoned the idea of trying basil until I get an idea of what the temps will be over the winter. My idea for it this year is going to be leafy greens that like a bit colder weather. I am planning on documenting the weather to get an idea of what this can do over the coming years and what would do well. The basil I initially planted did come up and went crazy after I moved them outside. Appreciate it, ATB

That’s a great idea to help keep the temperature from getting too high in the greenhouse. A small solar powered one chaise fan is a good idea too. I got a cheap one on Amazon and have it pointed towards the window and it seems to really help in the height of the summer. Cheers!

Hi there! did you install a linear actuator for a window like that? Thanks!

Thanks! I’m glad it was helpful

Sorry about your plants. If you pinch your basil plant regularly, it won't be spindly and it will fill out and be bushy. Pinch above a set of leaves and then the plant will fork out from there, keep doing it and the branches multiply. Btw. You are a dab hand at your drone footage.

Paula Beattie that is awesome advice thank you! I have a small solar fan but it runs when there's light not based on temp. What fan did you get? I'd love to hear how it works. I planted a ton of seed after this video yesterday. This year I'm planning a bunch of cold frames on I can grow much longer into the winter. Hoop houses are on the list too! So much to do lol. Happy to hear your seedlings have such a good caretaker. Good luck with everything and thanks for the comment and advice. Cheers!

cprpottsville Thanks! Glad it was helpful

Good eye! It sure is! ATB

Thanks!

Dawn Owens He's quick on the draw!!

This is a really great idea! If I were to use this in a cold, which I may have to try now, I think I might attach the part that connects to the lid to a wood block and then glue Velcro to the block and to the polycarbonate lid. It should stay attached well to lift and close with temp changes, and allow for the lid to opened all the way to access the goodies under it. If you try this please let me know if it works

@@fireballmalone1 Cheers for the swift response and yes, attaching it like that is an option. I’ve seen it done with an extending metal bar, but your wood and velcro option sounds nifty. My vent (same as yours) has just arrived so I’ll be building the CF as soon as the British weather allows. I’ll let you know what solution works for me.

If the window opens in a similar fashion it should be just fine. The trigger for part that expands is heat. When it warms up, it opens. If you can match it to the mechanics of how the window opens it should work great. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

@@fireballmalone1 thanks brother! I'll let you know.. greetings from Italy

put it in the fridge for 30min then push it manually to the stop end. Check the manual installation. www.baylissautovents.co.uk/bayliss-autovents/

From what I have found the best way to avoid or deter moisture build up is to do double pane or better. I am planning on adding a second layer and a better seal this spring. It hasn’t seemed to be ok much of an issue as far as production but I’m sure it reduces the amount and/or quality of light getting in.

Not on the opener itself, but you could make it detachable so it could be disconnected from the arm temporarily. You could add a type of kickstand like arm to prop it open if needed. Unfortunately, I don't think it can do both without some interaction from someone though. I hope this helps, atb

I believe it is designed to easily disconnect from the "Sill Bracket" by squeezing the arms together...right??? I'm about to install my opener on a wooden cold frame lid, so I can't imagine how else I would get access to my plants. **PS** thanks a bunch for sharing this video. The instructions that came with my opener were pretty lame and I really appreciate seeing the mechanism from all angles. I'm not installing the opener in the typical way, so I needed to see exactly how it moves as it opens and closes.

It will really depend on a few factors. What plants do you have in the greenhouse and what are their heat requirements. And how hot does it get without a vent. An 8x10 should do well with a single vent. I used an inexpensive temperature gauge to see the heat fluctuations after in installed the vent and it stays hot but I have tomatoes and peppers plants waiting rotation. They love heat so I never installed a second. I use a cheap solar camping fan if I need the temp to drop a little more especially around the middle of June to wind of august. I just point it out the vented window. I hope this is helpful, good luck

There is a "easy clip" at the bottom, simply push the bottom "arms" together and it pops out of their corresponding holes.

The way he installed the opener I doubt he will get the full extension this opener offers.

That is awesome you are building your own GH! One thing I wish I would have done, and may add this year is a temperature activated fan with vent that is on hinges that will open when the fan engages so it can pull the hot air out of the greenhouse. I am not sure if this is an actual product but I am going to look into it and am now inspired by your question. I am not sure if this is something that would work for your application, but if I find something cool, I will share what I find. The venting with this automatic vent opener definitely helps, but I did have to change it the following year, and again this year for some reason. They don't like the cold I guess. Good luck on your build, Cheers!

@@fireballmalone1 yea I heard you have to take the actual piston out for the winter. Its wax that expands and depending on where you live if it gets really cold it ruins the wax inside.

@@fireballmalone1 I spoke to someone today at Charlie's greenhouse supplies that mentioned a fan. I have 7 small windows but maybe a fan higher up will force the heat out just as good as vents. I emailed her asking if any fans were temp controlled with auto on/off. Should hear back from her tomorrow

@@signu127 That is really great to know! Thank you for the feedback, I will definitely do that this year, and save some cash in the process.

@@signu127 In my attic I installed a solar fan that has thermostat that kicks in at about 85 degrees, but it is a little big; at least for my greenhouse. But it may work for yours. It's call Rand Solar Powered Attic Gable Fan. Here's a link if you want to check it out. Nothing in it for me other than helping out a fellow green thumb. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040QVXGK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cindy Huynh I think in order for it open inward the univent would have to be outside and the temp wouldn’t be based on the inside of the greenhouse.

fireballmalone1 thank you

JuiceBanger1 my bad. I should consider that more. Cheers

LMAO! I am currently working on a 73 Super Beetle, I get the joke!!! Awesome, I needed that!

Abe Coulter Surprisingly enough, it did really well like that. It’s facing south east so it catches the sun first thing in the morning and there are trees above and behind so facing upwards would limit the exposure. I ran the pump a few times a day and the battery always maintained a full charge. I was even able to plug my phone in and listen to music without it causing an issue. Thanks for the comment, we shall see how it holds up in the upcoming seasons. Cheers

@@fireballmalone1 I found a little spray head to 1 keep it clean. Dust build-up reduces the collection of energy 2 keeps it cool. Gives it a longer life.

Abe Coulter that’s a great idea! I’ve gone up there once to wipe it down but it didn’t seem too bad. I think the winter may change that but we’ll see. I hooked a fan up to the controller recently to make sure the battery is getting a good charge and seems to be doing ok. I ran the battery down pretty low and hooked it back up and after a day it was fully charged. I think I got lucky with the trees and setup. I’d be interested in the spray you’re talking about. Cheers.

@@fireballmalone1 I used a 20litre plastic water tote. Took the tap spigot off and put a hose with a pump. And a little garden spray head. Or if you mount tank higher you could use gravity

Papa2t3hsmurf boom

Papa2t3hsmurf Thanks! I hope you coop build is going well