The Bluelab IntelliDose is a multifeatured pH and Conductivity Dosing Controller.
It is an ideal controller for Batched Dosing systems or Recirculating Hydroponic systems in a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) or Greenhouse growing situation.
9 Outputs
The Bluelab IntelliDose has 9 outputs, which can be configured for multiple purposes.
In a recirculating system you can dose up to 9 different stock solutions (multi-part nutrients, additives, pH adjuster) to maintain your preset Conductivity and pH setpoints. It also has a Day and Night Conductivity setting so you can dose up to 8 different stock solutions and have a spare output connected to a solenoid valve for adding fresh water to the tank at a set time (i.e in the morning) to dilute the tank and lower the Conductivity for tip burn or blossom end rot prevention. This allows a higher conductivity strength to be maintained at night and then a lower one to be used during the day or during times of crop stress.
In a Batched Dosing system you can designate 4 of those 9 outputs to run up to 4 irrigation stations, allowing different areas of your grow space to be irrigated on different time schedules. These outputs allow you to operate 4 solenoid valves (one for each station) or 4 pump start relays with 4 separate pumps (one to feed each station).
Ease of Use & Edenic Software
The large, interactive controller screen allows you to easily navigate between set points, alarms, probe calibration and designation of the outputs.
The IntelliDose controller can also be set up and operated on your home or office computer, laptop, or smart phone via the Bluelab Edenic Software.
When using the Edenic software simply enter in which stock solutions you wish to dose and how many irrigation zones you wish to utilise, and it will automatically generate a wiring diagram to show where to connect each wire to the controller outputs.
The Edenic Software allows remote access, data logging, and text/email alerts should any of your setpoints be breached.
Peristaltic Pumps
There are 3 models of single peristaltic pumps available to purchase with the IntelliDose.
120ml per minute (24VDC)
450 ml per minute (24VDC)
1400ml per minute (24VDC)
The grower can therefore choose a mix of pumps or sizes to suit their application. E.g 2 x 450ml pumps for A & B dosing and a smaller 120ml pump for dosing pH corrector.
Peristaltic pumps allow you to have all of your nutrient stock tanks to be located at ground level or below ground, rather than being gravity fed. This lowers the chance of leaks and spills, and it eliminates the risk of gravity fed overdosing which was a common problem with solenoid valves.
Pricing
- Bluelab Intellidose Controller with Conductivity and pH Probes (NZ$2,610.00)
- Bluelab Sample Tube (NZ$365.00)
- Bluelab Intellilink (Connects the Bluelab IntelliDose Controller to the internet) ($300.00)
Then choose any combination of the following peristaltic pumps for dosing nutrient and pH corrector.
- Bluelab Peristaltic Pump 120ml for IntelliDose ($350.00)
- Bluelab Peristaltic Pump 450ml for IntelliDose ($735.00)
- Bluelab Peristaltic Pump 1400ml for IntelliDose ($1,075.00)
If the client prefers to use solenoid dosing valves or high flow mains powered dosing pumps a Bluelab R4 Relay box is required. (NZ$1,090.00)
This provides 4 x 240 Volt AC (10 Amp) outputs to trigger any mains powered device from any of the 9 outputs on the Intellidose (e.g Nutrient “A” or “B”, acid dosing, irrigation solenoids, main pump to crop).
If the grower only requires 1 x 24VDC pump start relay to turn the main 240 Volt pump on and off to feed the crop (e.g. for drip fertigation systems) these are (NZ$450.00)
Commercial Grower Discounts and Wholesale Pricing is Available on all products – Please enquire.
Bluelab IntelliDose Versus Bluelab Pro Controller Wifi – Which one is best for me?
9 Outputs
The main difference between the Bluelab IntelliDose and the Bluelab Pro Controller Wifi is that the IntelliDose has 9 outputs that can be designated for multi part dosing or for other purposes.
For example, in a batched dosing situation the controller can use 3 outputs for dosing A, B and acid.
It then has another 6 outputs spare for activating a pump and then feeding that solution to up to up to 5 irrigation zones that are isolated with solenoid valves.
Or the grower may have a 5-part nutrient as well as acid dosing. This then leaves 3 spare outputs to activate a pump and send that solution to 2 zones.
The grower sets the frequency and duration for each output on the controller or via the Edenic software.
(The Bluelab Pro Controller Wifi can only dose a tank with Conductivity and pH corrector. It would need a separate irrigation controller and pump start relay to be able to activate a pump to feed a tank solution to irrigation zones)
Day and Night Conductivity Setting
In a recircuiting system situation the IntelliDose has a Night and Day Conductivity feature.
This is particularly useful for lettuce growers to help overcome tip burn issues.
A lower conductivity strength is set during the day to promote steady transpiration and greater calcium mobility, then the strength is increased at a set time in the evening as the sun goes down so the plants can have an increased level of feeding overnight when it is cooler. This makes up for the suppressed nutrient strength during the day.
At a set time in the morning the controller automatically switches to a lower Conductivity setpoint. A solenoid valve then opens to allow fresh water to fill the nutrient solution mixing tank beyond the normal nutrient solution level height maintained by the ball cock float valves. (i.e have a high-level float valve and a normal level float valve). This dilutes the nutrient solution and lowers the Conductivity value to the daytime operating strength.
Alternatively, a solenoid valve can be opened and used to purge some nutrient solution from the mixing tank to make room for the incoming freshwater via the ballcock float valves. This also has a lowering effect on the conductivity value.
(The Bluelab Pro Controller Wifi has no Day and Night Conductivity Setting. If a grower wishes to operate a higher Conductivity strength at night, they then manually dose jugs of A & B solution into the tank in the evening to raise the Conductivity strength beyond their normal operating strength. The plants then naturally lower the Conductivity strength overnight as they feed. The grower can then purge or add fresh water to the tank in the morning to dilute it back down to its normal daytime operating strength)
24VAC or 24VDC Operating Voltage
The IntelliDose can direct drive 24V AC or 24V DC peristaltic pumps (of any model) up to 2.5 Amps. For larger dosing pumps a Bluelab R4 Relay box needs to be purchased to operate the dosing pumps with their own power supply.
The IntelliDose is supplied as standard with a 24V DC power pack. If the grower wishes to control 24VAC pumps or solenoid valves then they need to specify this when ordering so a 24V AC power pack can be supplied.
The multi voltage direct drive capability of the IntelliDose therefore gives more flexibility for growers who wish to use a wider range of peristaltic pumps and solenoid valves for small to medium systems.
(In comparison the Bluelab Pro Controller Wifi can only operate Bluelab M3 (3 x 120ml per minute motors), M4 (4 x 120ml per minute motors) or L3 PeriPod peristaltic pumps (3 x 1200ml per minute motors) (If the grower wishes to control larger dosing pumps or dosing pumps with a different voltage then a Bluelab PowerPod needs to be purchased)
Technical Information
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9 outputs 24VDC (or same voltage as supplied by plug pack)
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Nutrient measurement units EC, CF or TDS (500/640/700)
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Measured range 0.00 to 9.99EC, 0.1 to 99.99CF, 0 to 7000PPM
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Nutrient resolution to .01mS/cm, 0.1CF
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Nutrient measurement accuracy +/-0.1EC, 1.0CF or 10PPM (temperature compensated)
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Nutrient dosing range 0.00 to 5.99EC, 0.1 to 59.9CF, 0 to 4200PPM
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pH resolution and accuracy – 0.1pH
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pH measurement range 2pH to 12pH
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Nutrient and pH dosing times settable from 0 minutes to 254 minutes
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Dosing interval settable from 0 minutes (continuous dosing) to 254 minutes
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Sequential dosing to prevent power surges
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Solution temperature accuracy 1°C/2°F
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Temperature range 0-50°C/32-125°F
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Operating temperature range 0-50°C/32-125°F (not in direct sunlight)
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Power source – 120V/240V into 24VDC plug pack (supplied)
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Dosing shut off:
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If nutrient is below 0.1EC, 1.0CF, 10PPM
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If pH is below 4.5 or above 8.0
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If nutrient is below 0.1EC/1CF/10PPM or above 6.0EC/60CF/6000PPM
Summary
The Bluelab IntelliDose controller plays an important role in hydroponic production.
It removes the guess work from growing and makes life easier for the grower.
Hydroponic growing is highly scientific but with the use of a well-designed and intuitive controller it can be made very simple.
Growers can use the IntelliDose to maintain full control of their crop and make quality production predictable and repeatable.
The time savings from using an automated controller is significant. Growers can invest the time they save into other parts of their business resulting in greater profitability.
A grower who uses an automated nutrient dosing controller such as the IntelliDose will always produce a higher quality crop than a grower who doses manually.
An investment in the automated dosing will quickly pay for itself.
