Post by stevebooth on Jan 16, 2021 10:03:53 GMT
The Vitapod has arrived!
I have for a number of years been using a Garland 163 which I bought after buying a constant stream of cheap propagators that only lasted a couple of years each. It has lasted well, worked well, but has no control other than it switches itself off at approx 23C, but is great for bottom heat. I was contemplating buying another Garland as it had worked well for years but even having two, I wouldn’t have the capacity I needed and indeed they had gone up in price a fair bit, since I last bought one. All electric propagators are only as good as the heating element, so I looked at the price of the Garland and at the Vitapod and decided that the adjustable thermostat control and comparatively massive capacity made it a better buy, and whilst I don’t know it to be true, I think the Vitapod element is more robust.
So after looking for bargains I finally purchased the Vitapod from a company called Greenhouse Sensation on the web, who I had never dealt with in the past, but got it at the best price I could find.
On the premise that I probably won’t buy another or a long time, I went for the large 100 W unit with a two tier lid, which you can increase up to four tiers if you want for taller plants, with each tier being 150 - 160 mm. I didn’t get the optional grow lights (the Xmas bonus wouldn’t stretch to that), but they look like a nice add on if you want to have a whip round for a present for me.
So it’s arrived in two plain boxes ( no fancy pictures or descriptions on the outside), with the base unit and control stat in one, and in the other box housing the two tier lid, supplied in flat pack format, which I am yet to put together.
The base unit is heavy and seems well made and watertight. It certainly heats up quickly, as you would expect from 100W.
The actual internal (useful plant area) tray size is 1000 x 510 x 55 mmm deep, with the outside dimensions of the unit being 1110 x 590 mm.
There is something I like about the temperature controller - it’s a separate item, is about 100 mm diam, is fitted with its own wall hanging bracket, so you can put it where you want within the reach of the cables. There are three leads from the controller, one to a power point. (240V standard U.K. plug fitted to the lead) the second is a three pin U.K. socket to connect to the base unit power plug and the third is a temperature sensor that is on about 1200mm of cable. When you plug it in you get a large illuminated display (blue) on the controller showing the set point and actual temperature at the senor. Simple push buttons allow temperate adjustment from 5C to 30C on a + or - basis, in one degree increments. The display switches off on a timer after about 10 seconds. I’m going to need some cable clips and ties to tidy up the wires when it’s fitted.
No instructions came with it, which isn’t a problem as you don’t need to be Einstein to understand it, but some info on the thermostat accuracy, dead bands, if any, etc would have been nice. I shall test the temperatures with a simple max/ min thermostat.
Well I now need to build a stand for it, and put it in the greenhouse or porch, which I can’t do till I can get some overwintering plants outside. Space .. the final frontier.
Will keep you posted.
Cheers
Steve
I have for a number of years been using a Garland 163 which I bought after buying a constant stream of cheap propagators that only lasted a couple of years each. It has lasted well, worked well, but has no control other than it switches itself off at approx 23C, but is great for bottom heat. I was contemplating buying another Garland as it had worked well for years but even having two, I wouldn’t have the capacity I needed and indeed they had gone up in price a fair bit, since I last bought one. All electric propagators are only as good as the heating element, so I looked at the price of the Garland and at the Vitapod and decided that the adjustable thermostat control and comparatively massive capacity made it a better buy, and whilst I don’t know it to be true, I think the Vitapod element is more robust.
So after looking for bargains I finally purchased the Vitapod from a company called Greenhouse Sensation on the web, who I had never dealt with in the past, but got it at the best price I could find.
On the premise that I probably won’t buy another or a long time, I went for the large 100 W unit with a two tier lid, which you can increase up to four tiers if you want for taller plants, with each tier being 150 - 160 mm. I didn’t get the optional grow lights (the Xmas bonus wouldn’t stretch to that), but they look like a nice add on if you want to have a whip round for a present for me.
So it’s arrived in two plain boxes ( no fancy pictures or descriptions on the outside), with the base unit and control stat in one, and in the other box housing the two tier lid, supplied in flat pack format, which I am yet to put together.
The base unit is heavy and seems well made and watertight. It certainly heats up quickly, as you would expect from 100W.
The actual internal (useful plant area) tray size is 1000 x 510 x 55 mmm deep, with the outside dimensions of the unit being 1110 x 590 mm.
There is something I like about the temperature controller - it’s a separate item, is about 100 mm diam, is fitted with its own wall hanging bracket, so you can put it where you want within the reach of the cables. There are three leads from the controller, one to a power point. (240V standard U.K. plug fitted to the lead) the second is a three pin U.K. socket to connect to the base unit power plug and the third is a temperature sensor that is on about 1200mm of cable. When you plug it in you get a large illuminated display (blue) on the controller showing the set point and actual temperature at the senor. Simple push buttons allow temperate adjustment from 5C to 30C on a + or - basis, in one degree increments. The display switches off on a timer after about 10 seconds. I’m going to need some cable clips and ties to tidy up the wires when it’s fitted.
No instructions came with it, which isn’t a problem as you don’t need to be Einstein to understand it, but some info on the thermostat accuracy, dead bands, if any, etc would have been nice. I shall test the temperatures with a simple max/ min thermostat.
Well I now need to build a stand for it, and put it in the greenhouse or porch, which I can’t do till I can get some overwintering plants outside. Space .. the final frontier.
Will keep you posted.
Cheers
Steve
sarracenia farming on an industrial scale, looks the dogs danglies
not here it isn't