Dimlux Plant Temperature Camera

Dimlux Plant Temperature Camera

Plant temperature is more important than ambient temperature! When the camera is connected, the climate can be controlled based on the plant's temperature. If the plant's temperature gets too high, the Dimlux Maxi Controller will dim the lights to keep the stomata open. In the event of a water shortage (e.g., due to a faulty pump), the lights are also dimmed or switched off to prevent crop damage.

• infrared camera for heat detection
• extremely precise environmental control
• allows the Dimlux Maxi Controller to calculate VPD*
• used by the professional horticulture industry
• very easy to install – plugs straight into the Dimlux Maxi Controller
• 10m cable

*Note: see the detailed description for an explanation of vapor pressure deficit (VPD).

See how to calculate your plant’s VPD: here*

The Dimlux Plant Temperature Camera is a fantastic accessory that precisely measures your plant’s infrared levels and sends the information back to the Dimlux Maxi Controller. This information is then used together with room temperature and humidity readings to calculate and display the vapor pressure deficit (VPD)* – the potential of the surrounding air to draw moisture from the plant. It provides growers with the most accurate information about how much their plants will need to transpire (release moisture through their leaves) to reach equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. A high pressure deficit means your plants will lose more water through their stomata. A low pressure deficit means plants retain water more easily (great for cuttings, etc.). The Dimlux Maxi Controller can adjust your lighting power according to the temperature difference between the plants and the surrounding atmosphere, ensuring that VPD levels are always within the correct range.

VPD (VAPOR PRESSURE DEFICIT). The plant temperature camera, which is connected to and integrated with the Dimlux Maxi Controller, measures the plant temperature and displays the results on the Dimlux Maxi Controller.

The question is: Why do we need a plant temperature camera at all?
The reason is that it is crucial for the Dimlux Maxi Controller to understand the plant’s overall condition or health. A healthy plant’s temperature should always be lower than the ambient temperature in which it lives. Water and nutrients constantly move through the plant, keeping it cooler than the ambient temperature. If the plant temperature rises to the same temperature as the ambient temperature, then it is no longer healthy and will begin to wilt and eventually die. Factors contributing to this undesirable condition or environment include:

1. High-intensity discharge lighting - HPS (sodium) or MH (metal halide) lamps
2. Lack of adequate extraction or ventilation
3. Incorrect watering of the plant.

• So, with the help or intelligence of the Dimlux Maxi Controller, the lights it controls are dimmed until the plant temperature is lower than the ambient temperature and will remain that way until the fault causing the discrepancy between the plant temperature and ambient temperature is fixed (for example, a plumbing/electrical fault).
• Now, with the plant temperature camera, temperature sensor, and Dimlux humidity sensor connected to and integrated with the Dimlux Maxi Controller, the controller is programmed to analyze the ambient temperature and the plant’s temperature and humidity levels, and to calculate another vital measurement known as “Vapor Pressure Deficit” or VPD. This measurement is the reading that best describes how supportive the plant’s environment is.
• This environment is crucial for optimal growth and nutrient uptake, which depends on how hot and humid the environment is. If the indoor environment is lit with HPS,MH or CDM lighting, humidity is above 70 to 80%, and temperatures are above 35°C, then the plants’ ability to photosynthesize, take in CO₂, and absorb nutrients decreases. Consequently, the plants’ ability to grow and produce flowers and fruit also decreases.
• So, if the environment cannot be controlled or brought to normal conditions, your plants’ ability to absorb nutrients and grow optimally will also be reduced. Therefore, reducing the light intensity and heat of HPS,MH or CDM lighting is the next logical step in balancing the parameters [heat and humidity ] to maintain high photosynthetic rates and, more importantly, to keep the leaf stomata open.
• By keeping the stomata open for gas exchange, which is the main force driving water and nutrients through the plant, more sugars and amino acids are formed in the flowers/fruits for optimal production. This level of control is only possible with Dimlux Maxi Controller and your Dimlux lighting. To have greater flexibility in your indoor environment with regard to your lighting, the right control equipment is key to consistently maximizing the quality and yield potential of your plants and every harvest!
• The idea of VPD and its application is new and exciting, and perhaps confusing for some. The idea (once again) is that if it is too hot or too humid for your plants to function optimally, why waste electricity on lights at full power when the plants cannot use the light, when we can balance heat and humidity by reducing the lighting power and bringing the VPD reading to around 1 to 1.2?
• By doing this, the plants will use the nutrients you feed them and thus grow and produce optimally. I repeat, this is only possible with Dimlux lighting, Dimlux Maxi Controller and plant temperature camera, temperature sensor and Dimlux humidity sensor. Even at 70% lighting, the same yields were achieved, solely because the other parameters were balanced and the optimal VPD was achieved.