I built my first bench

[coachspinks]

Tada!
View attachment 217862

This was pretty tiring… and I still have a lot to do before it’s operational. The assembly time was about 10 hours and I had help from a friend for about 4 hours.

Next: electrical, gravel ballast, entry improvements, ventilation, shelving, temperature control, and a heat bed.

The prices on these seem to be really good and they look decent for a home greenhouse. Are you happy with it aesthetically? I have plans to put one in as part of an overall garden.

 

[parhamr]

Are you happy with it aesthetically?

Yes! It looks good. I’m pleased.

 

[parhamr]

I would like help understanding how you calculated your per day electric cost?

I have the greenhouse electrical temporarily run through a 10 AWG extension cord and that hooks into the house service through a Kill A Watt brand outlet meter. Over 48 hours it consumed 7.9 kWh.

Oregon’s electrical rate is about $0.094 per kWh and I pay about a 10% premium for 100% renewable energy. I rounded up the consumption to 4 kWh a day and the rate to about $0.12 a kWh.

 

[BigBen]

Thank you, Sir!

 

[parhamr]

I’m currently sucking down a fair bit of current to keep the greenhouse above freezing. This video was from last night. As I type this it’s 28ºF outside and 38ºF in the greenhouse.

I already burnt out an 8-amp heating thermostat. A 15A model is in the mail

 

[coachspinks]

What are using to heat the greenhouse with?

 

[parhamr]

What are using to heat the greenhouse with?

The ~336 watts of heat beds aren’t enough to keep it above freezing so I put a 1500W space heater inside

Now that the sun is out I have the heater stepped down to 750 watts.

 

[amatbrewer]

I already burnt out an 8-amp heating thermostat. A 15A model is in the mail

That is an important piece of information that is easily missed (done it myself a few times and I should know better), when using switches such as relays (which is what is probably what is in your thermostat) it is critical to use switches rated far beyond the expected run load.

• First off is that the power ratings for most equipment is the running load and does NOT account for any start up surge they may cause, which can be a couple times the run load. This is normally of too short a duration to account for with wiring and breakers, but it does affect switches (more so for mechanical, but also for solid state). So if your run load is 5A, you should have at least a 10-15A rated switch. This is especially important for inductive loads such as motors (fans, pumps, etc).
• Second, for power loads like mains, a mechanical switch will arc every time they close (and sometimes when opening). Over time, if the contacts are not rated high enough such as operating it near its rated max, a mechanical relay will eventually fuse in the closed position, this can happen right away, or take days, weeks, months...but it will happen. And without a doubt at the worst possible time (I know this from too much experience).

My rule of thumb is to be sure my switches are rated for at least twice the expected run load, more if the load is inductive. If I am not trying to build commercial products cost effectiveness is not really an issue, so I normally error on the side of caution and exceed that just to be safe. After all, what is a additional couple of bucks to protect your trees? The closer you operate a mechanical switch to its rated limit the shorter its life will be.

Here is a nice little article that I found which is easy to follow and understand. https://relaypros.com/choosing_proper_amperage.htm
While this is is for mechanical relays, for the most part this applies to any switching devices including solid state relays, triacs, SCR's, etc.
BTW inductive loads can create additional concerns for solid state switches that I won't go into here. But if you are going to use them, I advise reading up on it. I keep a smoked SCR on my desk as a reminder to myself.

FYI 1500W, assuming a 115vac supply and nothing else is running off the same supply, it is a 10A run load. It can be double or even triple on start due to the fan motor in a space heater. So to be safe (or at least reliable) you should anticipate at least a 20A load. And if you think that is only theoretical...Just a few years ago I had a 1500W space heater controlled by a 10A relay (it is all I had on hand and I was being lazy) and it fused shut after only a couple of 2 months of operation.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[parhamr]

@amatbrewer thanks! I know better, as well

The 8A thermostat I had purchased to control 495 watts of heating beds. I used it in a pinch without taking a good look at the specs and have learned my lesson!

 

[amatbrewer]

have learned my lesson![/QUOTE]

I wish I could...even after more than 3 decades of experience, I still do some stupid stuff. :rolleyes:

 

[clive bennett]

Kaizen Bonsai has a great artical on heating a greenhouse and how he greatly reduced the cost over a few years well worth reading I think

 

[parhamr]

Kaizen Bonsai has a great artical on heating a greenhouse and how he greatly reduced the cost over a few years well worth reading I think

Neat! Here it is: https://www.kaizenbonsai.com/bonsai-tree-care-information/guide-to-overwintering-outdoor-bonsai

I might not need that level of insulation or heating. Time will tell. I live in the city and see the heat island effect. I live near the confluence of two large rivers and see the temperature-moderating effect of all that water. This region is pretty mild, overall.

This season I’m only needing to heat the greenhouse for no more than 10 days. That’s about $30 in electrical costs.

 

[parhamr]

 

[parhamr]

I’m going to continue this as my yard and garden thread.

The build of our fencing is underway on the property I bought with my wife back in November. The house is set into the back of a corner lot, so the bonsai garden is going in the front yard with great southeast sun exposure and partial protection from the scorching afternoon sun. We have a 6800 square foot lot and the fenced area will total about 1200 sqft.

I’m building the fence to last and to look good, so it’s a bit of an undertaking. There are regular, strong windstorms from the Columbia Gorge and also from the west, so I’m using 6" x 6" pressure treated posts set 3' into the ground with 200 pounds of concrete in each hole as per city regulation and building codes. I’d like the bonsai garden to be larger but my wife and the city each have their requirements that I pla


The holes are currently 25 percent completed and I’m projecting the entire 134 feet of fence will be finished by the end of the month. I could hire this all out or rent some machinery to speed things up but I enjoy a methodical and deliberate approach—working with my hands is such a nice break from my daily work as a software engineer.



The facing will be select tight knot grade western redcedar, running horizontally in alternating 8" and 4" widths. I’m going to use a clear sealant to preserve the wood and to let its natural color and texture. The posts and framing lumber was just delivered yesterday and 5200 lbs of concrete are scheduled for delivery on Monday.

Updates to come

 

[one_bonsai]

Nice but looks very low to me

 

[parhamr]

Whew! It’s been a long week and it’s not even over. I saw a coyote wandering around the neighborhood yesterday at 9 am.

All of the posts are in the holes and today I poured concrete for a third of them. It’s still looking like I’ll be ready for the facing lumber on the 15th and nearly completed with the project by the end of the month.

I’m tired and sore

 

[Hartinez]

Dam Reid!! Getting after it! Great thread you’ve got here. From the benches to the greenhouse now the new garden. Congrats on all the upgrades and I look forward to more updates.

 

[CWTurner]

I’m building the fence to last and to look good, so it’s a bit of an undertaking.

Good for you in trying to make the fence look good. Seems you're doing a great job.
In my area, folks just slap up some 6' white vinyl fence, right up to the property line/sidewalk. Looks like a drive-in movie screen.
Looking forward to more pics.
CW

 

[Lazylightningny]

View attachment 301383
Whew! It’s been a long week and it’s not even over. I saw a coyote wandering around the neighborhood yesterday at 9 am.

All of the posts are in the holes and today I poured concrete for a third of them. It’s still looking like I’ll be ready for the facing lumber on the 15th and nearly completed with the project by the end of the month.

I’m tired and sore

Huge coyote!

Posts looking good. What's the plan for this area?

 

[CWTurner]

Hey @parhamr I just wanted to show you my fence, built 20 some years ago. My design. Looks great when the late day sun shines through.

Hows your project doing?
CW