What will it do?
The final project is a solar-powered hydroponic herb garden, made with bambu and coconut fiber. It will allow me to grow various herbs and vegetables in my small balcony.
Who's done what beforehand?
Tons of hydroponic vertical models exist already, made with everything from pvc pipes to PET bottles. Windowfarms is a collaborative website where I found most information needed to build an efficient system.
What materials and components will be required?
BOM: - sheet of plywood 1200mmx900mmx30mm; 1400mmx700mmx40mm cork panel; 1200mmx100mm bambu tubes; 10 ounces of coconut fiber; irrigation tube 8mmx1200mm; electric PEX tube 160mmx1200mm; a 40 liter water container (at least 30cm tall); 3D printed water splitters, a 10-20W solar panel, 1 DC air pump, a DC/DC converter, a fabkit v 4.0, a ph sensor, a sonar sensor, 4 small metal wheels with breaks, 100ml of wood varnish.
Everything except the DC air pump, the fabkit components and the two sensors (which were ordered online) was sourced in Lisbon.
How much will it cost?
It will cost approximately 250 euros.
What parts and systems will be made?
The plywood & cork structure, the airlift system for irrigation, the plastic splitters, the fabkit for the sensors will be made at fablab.
What processes will be used?
CNC milling - to make the plywood and cork structure
Laser cutting - to make cardboard prototypes
Rolland precision milling - to make the fabkit
Vinyl cutting - to make a mask to apply solder paste on the fabkit
3D printing - to make the plastic splitters in the airlift system
Programming - to get a daily data on a LCD screen from the ph and sonar sensors
What questions need to be answered?
Will the airlift system allow the water to rise high enough, so it reaches the top of the bambu tubes?
Can the system operate during daylight time only, or is night time pumping needed for the plants to grow efficiently? (the answer to this question will determine whether or not the solar system will require supercapacitors or batteries to store energy)