How to make a high-quality thermal drive for greenhouses yourself

Benefits of using

Any gardener knows that greenhouses should be ventilated regularly. This normalizes the temperature and humidity in the greenhouse. In the case of using automatic ventilation of greenhouses, there is no need for constant monitoring by a person - the drive independently opens frames and doors for ventilation at an elevated temperature, and accordingly closes it when it drops. This mechanism will be simply indispensable for amateur gardeners who visit their summer cottages only on weekends or simply want to have more free time.

There are a variety of types of systems that allow you to arrange efficient greenhouse ventilation (from primitive to complex):

1. Automated opening of vents in the side of the greenhouse or its roof. This option is perfect for small greenhouses. When placing ventilation openings (vents), it is important to take into account that there should be at least two of them. And they should be placed at different heights: one higher and the other lower.
2. For greenhouses of more impressive sizes, it is worthwhile to provide for more intensive ventilation, therefore, for such buildings, a scheme is used according to which two vents are located side by side or use doors.
3. Greenhouse blowing through. For this, the ends of the building are used - their simultaneous opening. This variant of ventilation systems is perfect for long, narrow greenhouses.
4. Ventilation system using sophisticated technology - sensors that react to the level of humidity and temperature. Such systems are quite expensive, therefore they are rarely installed in summer cottages and adjacent territories of amateur gardeners, but many craftsmen develop their own thermal actuators with their own hands.

Which system is the best - everyone must decide for himself, taking into account the peculiarities of the greenhouse, but remember that automatic ventilation of the greenhouses will significantly increase the yield and facilitate the care of the plants.

How the device works

Recently, many versatile thermal drives for greenhouses of various configurations have appeared on the market, which effectively provide ventilation of greenhouses. The simplest machine for ventilating greenhouses is based on a hydraulic device. Inside, this device is filled with a liquid that reacts to changes in ambient temperature: an increase in temperature promotes expansion of the substance, which pushes the piston and the ventilation hatch opens.Accordingly, with decreasing temperature, the liquid narrows - the window closes. Often, a thermal actuator is made of stainless metal so that it will last a long time, but if the greenhouse is seasonal, the mechanism should be stored in a dry place for the winter.

Can I make myself

Many gardeners make a device for ventilating greenhouses with their own hands. For this, automobile hydraulic cylinders, gas shock absorbers, cylinders from computer chairs, etc. are used. The main thing is to use a substance that will expand and contract well depending on temperature indicators. Let's consider how to create an automatic machine for ventilating a greenhouse from a cylinder from a computer chair. This method has already been tested by many gardeners. The design requires a cylinder from a computer chair with a steel stem on one side and a plastic stem from a valve on the other.

Sequence of work:

1. Secure the plastic stem in a vise and pull it out with a brisk motion. Inside there is a metal valve pin.
2. Fix a rod with a diameter of 8 mm in a vise, the length of the working part is 6 cm. Insert a cylinder on this rod - when pressed, the pressure will be released.
3. Taper off the cylinder.
4. Press the steel rod out of the cylinder carefully to avoid damaging it and the collar on the cylinder.
5. Using two layers of tarpaulin mitts, clamp the stem in a vise and cut an M8 thread. Remove the cuffs.
6. Replace the liner that is located inside the cylinder. Take the aluminum piston (no other parts needed) and free it from the rubber rings.
7. Remove metal shavings from parts. For this, gasoline is quite suitable.
8. Insert the rod into the inner sleeve and remove it from the cylinder. Do everything carefully so as not to damage the oil seal.
9. Screw the M8 nut onto the thread.
10. Insert the aluminum piston.
11. Take a threaded pipe on one side and weld it to the cut side of the cylinder.
12. Screw the extended M8 nut onto the stem threads.
13. Screw in the plug to connect to the window.
14. Pour engine oil into the structure and remove the air completely.

Video "The principle of operation of the thermal drive"

This video explains how a thermal actuator works.

Thermal actuator installation

The greenhouse ventilator is mounted on a ventilation frame. Also, the thermal actuator can be installed on the greenhouse door. Here, everyone makes a decision on their own, taking into account the needs.

Pay attention to some important points that should be taken into account when installing a device for ventilating greenhouses: the total area of ​​ventilation hatches should not occupy more than a quarter of the entire area of ​​the greenhouse; frames should be evenly spaced over the entire area. Automatic ventilation of greenhouses is a unique system that greatly simplifies the care of a do-it-yourself greenhouse and the process of growing various crops in it as a whole. Installing a thermal actuator ensures optimal temperature conditions in the greenhouse without any human intervention.

Thermal Actuator Overview Video

Video review about the thermal drive.