Introduction: Auto Mushroom Shotgun Chamber
This is an instructable for an automatic humidity and fresh air exchange timer chamber for fruiting mushrooms. It is fully USB powered and requires only one 1 amp USB port to power the whole thing. You may also get some sort of light source as certain mushrooms need it to fruit, but indirect sunlight also works so I will exclude the lighting from this intructable for simplicity sake.
Supplies
5V USB ultrasonic humidifier(search 'cowboy cap humidifier' if link stops working):
5v relay:
https://www.amazon.com/Dafurui-Channel-Optocouple...
Arduino Nano:
https://www.amazon.com/LAFVIN-Board-ATmega328P-Mi...
5V 3 or 4 prong computer fan(This one is a bit pricier but its super quiet so i recommend it): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071W93333/ref=...
Step 1: Wiring
Here is a rough schematic (you will need to open up the plastic part of the humidifier USB to get to the electric components).
Step 2: Code
Here is the Arduino code for this project(I've attached the ino file):
int relay = 8; // define humidifier relay switch pin
int fan = 4; // define fan control pin
void turnRelaySwitch() {
digitalWrite(relay, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(relay, LOW);
delay(1000);
}
void setup() {
pinMode (relay, OUTPUT) ; // relay switch as output interface
digitalWrite(relay, HIGH); // relay switch as digital input
analogWrite(fan, 0); // fan switch as analog input
}
void loop() {
turnRelaySwitch(); // humidifier on for 5 min
delay(300000);
turnRelaySwitch(); // humidifier off, rest for 15 min
delay(900000);
analogWrite(4, 255); // fan on for 10 min
delay(600000);
analogWrite(4, 0); // fan off
}
Attachments
Step 3: Starting Up
The humidifier needs to soak for a bit in a container of water, and I used a metal grate to put the blocks of mushroom mycelium on in case pins start growing from the bottom. It's also a good idea to put a layer of perlite on the bottom of your container to absorb excess moisture. You should drill holes for air circulation, humidifier wire and a large one to fit the fan through so air can blow into the chamber. When starting up the device, you might need to reset sometimes so that the humidifier is running properly. The delay times in the code can be altered depending on your container setup and mushroom type, some more air exchange or humidity might be required.
