Newty's AC Infinity Controller AI+ Thread

[Newty]

Just finished setting up the AC Infinity Controller AI+
I wanted to make a thread showing some of the setup and options.
I will share more as the AI "learns" from the environment.
This thread will be used for any of your questions as well.
It's new to me so as I observe and learn, I'll be able to answer questions better.

Setup is pretty straight forward, adding a Controller and connecting to wifi is just like the Controller 69.

The AI+ comes with a power adapter that must be used, UIS equipment does not power the controller.

Even though I'm very familiar with controlling my environment with AC Infinity products, I opted for beginner mode.
I not only want to see what it does but users new to growing or controllers may want to see how easy it will be for them to setup and how well the AI learns and adjusts with limited knowledge from the user.

Beginner mode does not give you full control over your equipment, you can change some settings but not all.
One thing I didn't like was that I use 2 different brands of grow lights and use 2 different UIS ports but it would not allow me to set a max brightness individually, they had to share the same setting. They are different wattage so I usually run the higher wattage at a lower intensity.

In advanced mode, all the parameters and settings can be set individually and then the AI will adjust based on your personal settings.
I will switch to advanced mode after I observe beginner mode for a bit.

When everything is setup and running, the Controller automatically puts the lights in dynamic mode and 100% power (power can be lowered).
In dynamic mode it will run your light for 24 hours and determine the coldest part of the day and set your lights to come on during this time, this is in order to control high temps easier.
I work so I prefer to have my lights turn on and off on the schedule that makes it easier for me, I turned off the dynamic light mode and set it to my schedule.

As I learn more, I'll add more!

My tent has been open while I went through the setup, please ignore the current readings

 

[One_Bell]

Newbie here with the AI+ controller (number 2 and the CO sensors will come in tomorrow). I struggle to set a certain temperature and let VPD steering the humidity. It seems I can only set the humidity and tempreture or VPD. Not first the temperature and then VPD. My heater does not get used by the AI+, because you need to set a range 20C apart (like 18C and 38C). That does not make sense to me. What are your findings so far?

Second question, why are you using two inline fans?

Third question: I tried to use the AC INFINITY RJ11/12 UIS adapter Type A with the Mars Hydro FC4800evo, but it did not work. Setting 5 on the app would just power on the light, so with setting 10 you would never reach full light intensity.

 

[Newty]

Newbie here with the AI+ controller (number 2 and the CO sensors will come in tomorrow). I struggle to set a certain temperature and let VPD steering the humidity. It seems I can only set the humidity and tempreture or VPD. Not first the temperature and then VPD. My heater does not get used by the AI+, because you need to set a range 20C apart (like 18C and 38C). That does not make sense to me. What are your findings so far?

Second question, why are you using two inline fans?

Third question: I tried to use the AC INFINITY RJ11/12 UIS adapter Type A with the Mars Hydro FC4800evo, but it did not work. Setting 5 on the app would just power on the light, so with setting 10 you would never reach full light intensity.

Are you using it in AI Beginner mode, AI Advanced Mode, regular mode, or using Advanced Automations?
Just want to know so I can investigate further, Screen shots of your setting might help as well.


I use 2 inline fans because I use 1 of them for an intake.

Did you try setting the adpater configuration in port setting to number 2 for your light?
If that doesn't work, it may need a Type B adapter instead of Type A. If it's the newest version of Mars Hydro light, they might use a different dimming style now then the prior year versions.

 

[BearWater]

Just finished setting up the AC Infinity Controller AI+
I wanted to make a thread showing some of the setup and options.
I will share more as the AI "learns" from the environment.
This thread will be used for any of your questions as well.
It's new to me so as I observe and learn, I'll be able to answer questions better.

Setup is pretty straight forward, adding a Controller and connecting to wifi is just like the Controller 69.

The AI+ comes with a power adapter that must be used, UIS equipment does not power the controller.

Even though I'm very familiar with controlling my environment with AC Infinity products, I opted for beginner mode.
I not only want to see what it does but users new to growing or controllers may want to see how easy it will be for them to setup and how well the AI learns and adjusts with limited knowledge from the user.

Beginner mode does not give you full control over your equipment, you can change some settings but not all.
One thing I didn't like was that I use 2 different brands of grow lights and use 2 different UIS ports but it would not allow me to set a max brightness individually, they had to share the same setting. They are different wattage so I usually run the higher wattage at a lower intensity.

In advanced mode, all the parameters and settings can be set individually and then the AI will adjust based on your personal settings.
I will switch to advanced mode after I observe beginner mode for a bit.

When everything is setup and running, the Controller automatically puts the lights in dynamic mode and 100% power (power can be lowered).
In dynamic mode it will run your light for 24 hours and determine the coldest part of the day and set your lights to come on during this time, this is in order to control high temps easier.
I work so I prefer to have my lights turn on and off on the schedule that makes it easier for me, I turned off the dynamic light mode and set it to my schedule.

As I learn more, I'll add more!

My tent has been open while I went through the setup, please ignore the current readings

View attachment 2360944View attachment 2360945View attachment 2360946View attachment 2360947View attachment 2360948View attachment 2360949View attachment 2360950View attachment 2360951View attachment 2360952View attachment 2360953View attachment 2360954View attachment 2360955

Dude this is freaking awesome! Love it! Really nice work setting it up. 8 ports is cool, and you can dongle off of those right? To get even more items plugged into it. Like fans or lights on the same timer?

 

[Newty]

Dude this is freaking awesome! Love it! Really nice work setting it up. 8 ports is cool, and you can dongle off of those right? To get even more items plugged into it. Like fans or lights on the same timer?

I've been watching the app quite a bit, it's definitely running my equipment differently then I was. I'm curious to see if after it learns some, if it will be close to the same settings I was running with the Controller 69.

You can connect up to 32 devices with splitters.

 

[Newty]

There's a feature called "Tent Work" and for 15 minutes it will lower light intensity and other equipment levels and shut off things like humidifiers, everything resumes after 15 minutes.

 

[BearWater]

There's a feature called "Tent Work" and for 15 minutes it will lower light intensity and other equipment levels and shut off things like humidifiers, everything resumes after 15 minutes.

that’s a really cool feature. Could have used that today while lowering my light!

 

[BearWater]

I've been watching the app quite a bit, it's definitely running my equipment differently then I was. I'm curious to see if after it learns some, if it will be close to the same settings I was running with the Controller 69.

You can connect up to 32 devices with splitters.

That’s awesome!

I’ll bet it gets pretty close to what you had dialed in. But like you said it’ll be interesting to see how similar to your set up it’ll be.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

Hey, @Newty, thanks for the thread. I've been thinking about getting one of these. I like new tech, but I'm not sure I need one for any of my small tents. I'm thinking these are intended to be used with larger tents.

 

[Newty]

Hey, @Newty, thanks for the thread. I've been thinking about getting one of these. I like new tech, but I'm not sure I need one for any of my small tents. I'm thinking these are intended to be used with larger tents.

I was thinking the same thing, I'm running it in a 8x4 currently.
You can use 2 sensor probes and use dual zone and control 2 different tents with 1 controller though so it may be beneficial if running 2 smaller tents.

I never planned on owning one, just happened to win a photo contest.

Now I want the co2 and light sensor to see what that's all about but they're sold out and no pre order available.

 

[Blastfact]

I just did a good ACI upgrade. I just couldn't make myself order the AI. Gut was telling me later, order after they have got to at least Gen 2. So I went with the 69 Pro+. Will be interesting to see what firmware updates they come up with and how it grows tech wise. Was there a firmware update when you fired it up? My 69 Pro+ both updated there firmware out of the box. And I'm still on the fence about letting ACI and WiFi and china having access. May end up turning WiFi off and only turning it on for update checks. And a destop/laptop program would be nice using the blueteeth...

 

[One_Bell]

I was thinking the same thing, I'm running it in a 8x4 currently.
You can use 2 sensor probes and use dual zone and control 2 different tents with 1 controller though so it may be beneficial if running 2 smaller tents.

I never planned on owning one, just happened to win a photo contest.

Now I want the co2 and light sensor to see what that's all about but they're sold out and no pre order available.

I just got the co2 sensors and extra AI+ delivered, cool to measure the co2 ppm's in my tent:

I hoped the light sensor could display more information, but it is just lights on or off to manage co2 equipment if I understand it correctly.

 

[One_Bell]

that’s a really cool feature. Could have used that today while lowering my light!

You can also set everything on Pause, but then you need to deal with the risk of forgetting to put it back on lol
Happened to me twice already haha.

 

[WhatWouldBobDo]

I was looking at the AI controller vs the Pro+ controller. Couldn’t imagine a need for AI in my grow tent. But seemed neat.

Exciting to watch you try it out though!

 

[One_Bell]

I was looking at the AI controller vs the Pro+ controller. Couldn’t imagine a need for AI in my grow tent. But seemed neat.

Exciting to watch you try it out though!

I also have a 69Pro controller, as a back-up, but the hassle free experience of the app with AI+ already gave it an edge to me. Bought a second one, for the seedling/dry-tent. If they only could program it like you can set your temperature and after that the correct VPD. With steering on VPD alone my heater does not kick in so I am currently back to humidity and temperature.

However, I am wondering what VOD chart ACI uses for these calculations. Allthough there is a difference between VPD and leave VPD I found it odd that when calculating the VPD with https://pulsegrow.com/pages/vpd-cal...AzqBL_7T8Q0F0PA07K9Vhwyi-rDoAtUNZeuCdq1I_fJ9V

It is way off compared to my AI+ controller:

The calculator pumps out 0,92 VPD, quite the difference. Which one is true?

 

[Newty]

I also have a 69Pro controller, as a back-up, but the hassle free experience of the app with AI+ already gave it an edge to me. Bought a second one, for the seedling/dry-tent. If they only could program it like you can set your temperature and after that the correct VPD. With steering on VPD alone my heater does not kick in so I am currently back to humidity and temperature.

However, I am wondering what VOD chart ACI uses for these calculations. Allthough there is a difference between VPD and leave VPD I found it odd that when calculating the VPD with https://pulsegrow.com/pages/vpd-cal...AzqBL_7T8Q0F0PA07K9Vhwyi-rDoAtUNZeuCdq1I_fJ9V

It is way off compared to my AI+ controller:


View attachment 2361309

The calculator pumps out 0,92 VPD, quite the difference. Which one is true?

Which AI mode are you using, Beginner or Advanced?
You can set temp and steer VPD but you need to be in the correct mode and you need to steer using Humidity since you want temp to be constant.
You will set your temp and then calculate what humidity level you need to be at to reach desired vpd and then set humidity level so your equipment tries to maintain that humidity level.

I ask what mode you are running (AI Beginner or AI Advanced) because I know you can set temp and then set equipment high and low device triggers based on VPD.
Advanced AI may allow this, haven't checked yet, but I know the Advanced Automations like on the Controller 69 will allow you to do this.
Basically you set a temp trigger for your heating and cooling devices and then set a vpd trigger for your ventilation and humidity devices.

As far as the VPD calculater, I use the one below and it's pretty much dead on with what your controller says.

 

[One_Bell]

Which AI mode are you using, Beginner or Advanced?
You can set temp and steer VPD but you need to be in the correct mode and you need to steer using Humidity since you want temp to be constant.
You will set your temp and then calculate what humidity level you need to be at to reach desired vpd and then set humidity level so your equipment tries to maintain that humidity level.

I ask what mode you are running (AI Beginner or AI Advanced) because I know you can set temp and then set equipment high and low device triggers based on VPD.
Advanced AI may allow this, haven't checked yet, but I know the Advanced Automations like on the Controller 69 will allow you to do this.
Basically you set a temp trigger for your heating and cooling devices and then set a vpd trigger for your ventilation and humidity devices.

As far as the VPD calculater, I use the one below and it's pretty much dead on with what your controller says.

View attachment 2361368

Where can I found beginner or advanced? `it says Autoflower Cannabis

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I just got the co2 sensors and extra AI+ delivered, cool to measure the co2 ppm's in my tent:

I've been sampling/monitoring CO2 for several years using an Inkbird monitor. I learned a bit along the way.

One interesting thing is that the plants produce CO2 when the light is off. This results in there being plenty of CO2 in an unvented growing room when the lights come on. I've even set off the high-CO2 warning while working in the room. The warning sounds at 800 PPM, so yours being at almost 700 PPM is getting close to that level. I soon discovered that doing yoga in the room will increase the CO2 to a dangerous level.

I also learned from one of Dr. Bugbee's videos that the plants don't need more CO2 than what normally exists in the atmosphere, and atmospheric CO2 is now higher than it has been in thousands of years. (It was below 320 PPM in the 1950s and is now about 420 PPM and rising.) For our favorite plants to take advantage of a higher-than-atmospheric level of CO2, other growth factors (such as nutrients, moisture, temperature and humidity) also must be adjusted accordingly.

Currently, my CO2 monitor is in our living room and reporting the CO2 level at 509 PPM. It changes rapidly depending on what the mammals in the room might be doing.

 

[Newty]

Where can I found beginner or advanced? `it says Autoflower Cannabis

It gives you the option when you set it up for the first time.
It sounds like you are under beginner mode, doesn't give as much control.

Here is the screenshot from the setup where it asks what mode you want.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

Something I wonder about when considering an artificially intelligent controller is how it can "know" the status of the plants. It doesn't have eyes to look at the leaves, does it? I would think it doesn't know much at all about the status of the plants. I suppose it would know how much humidity is being pumped into the tent from the humidifier and how often the heater is running. Apparently, it can know if the light is on and the light's set level. It just seems to me that it can't completely replace farmer intelligence. At least, not yet it can't, and to me, that's where the fun is.