The Growth Gas Generator [GGG] is a fixed horticultural appliance for Non - Domestic use. 1.25 kW output.

• Specifications Of The Growth Gas Generator
• Installation Instructions
• Operation Instructions
• See Also

The Growth Gas Generator is a dedicated CO₂ production unit, designed specifically for the small domestic greenhouse or indoor growing area. It burns readily available L.P.G (Propane Gas) to produce copious amounts of CO₂ and can easily be controlled by a timer to ensure that CO₂ is produced at the right time of day.

You will need to find a stable base on which to stand your Generator. It will be best located away from walkways and busy areas to ensure that it does not get knocked over. For peace of mind the generator is best screwed onto a larger metal base and holes are provided in the feet for this purpose.

Best location for gas distribution is near centre of growing area but this is not too important provided that there is plenty of air circulation by fan.

Propane tank should be located OUTSIDE the greenhouse or growroom. If your hose is not long enough for this you can obtain a longer piece from any gas supply centre. Please ensure that you always use genuine high pressure hose like that supplied with the generator. Hose should be connected to regulator and generator. Hose clips (jubilees) must be used to ensure a gas tight fit.

Once you are completely happy with the location of your generator you can ignite the pilot. Follow the instruction manual carefully. When the pilot is alight you will be able to ignite the generator by turning on the mains.

1. General
2. Fuel Supply
3. LPG (Propane) Installation
4. Positioning
5. Ventilation
   1. General
   2. Precautions
      1. Gas Leaks
      2. Incomplete Combustion
6. Greenhouses
7. Indoors

1. General
2. Ignition
3. Extinguishing The Unit
4. Gas Leaks
5. Servicing

Growing With Gas

Growing plants need a constant supply of Carbon Dioxide or CO₂ to maintain growth. CO₂ is present in normal unpolluted air at the rate of around 330 parts per million (ppm).

To grow plants successfully indoors or in a greenhouse, it is essential to at least provide CO₂ at normal atmospheric levels. If these levels are not maintained then plant performance will be curtailed.

Growth Gas Generator

The Growth Gas Generator produces CO₂ by burning propane gas. This is a highly efficient and cost effective source of CO₂ provided that it is used correctly. Normal propane greenhouse heaters are not the most efficient way of producing CO₂ as they are usually controlled by thermostats. This means that CO₂ production is tied to temperature, most being produced in the dead of night when plants cannot utilise it. Growth Gas Generator is controlled by mains electricity so it can easily be switched on, by a timer, to produce CO₂ in the warm bright part of the day. Growth Gas Generator is designed specifically for CO₂ production and the production of heat is minimised. Growth Gas Generator is usually operative for only a few minutes every hour to maintain optimum CO₂ levels.

The installation of Growth Gas Generator will have an immediate and dramatic effect on plant growth. The important thing to remember here is that you are doing more than restoring the CO₂ to normal atmospheric levels. While it is a minimum requirement for good growth that CO₂ should be in the range of 300 - 350 ppm. it is possible to provide it at much higher levels.

Modern research has shown that levels up to 1500 ppm. and beyond can be maintained in a greenhouse or growroom. Plants will respond amazingly well provided that they have adequate light, moisture and nutrition to enable them to take advantage of the conditions.

The serious grower who couples the simple science of hydroponics and the benefits of enhanced CO₂ can achieve growth rates and yields that were only dreamt of a decade ago.

Measuring CO₂ levels

Until recently there was no simple way for the amateur grower to measure the CO₂ levels in his greenhouse or growroom, it was only professionals that had the necessary equipment. Nowadays it is an easy matter with the CO₂ Analysis Kit. and there is no reason for the grower to rely on guesswork any more. CO₂ detection is easy with the pump action analyser syringe and analyser tubes measuring 300 to 5000 ppm. Quick measurement of CO₂ in the greenhouse will tell you if your environment is optimised.

Supplied with full instructions, the kit is quick and easy to use and it will give you a reading in parts per million. The careful grower will treat CO₂ as one of the most important elements in a successful growing area. It is not a difficult matter to optimise the levels and the dramatic improvement in plant performance and yields will certainly make the effort worthwhile. CO₂ analysis kit can be obtained from your local supplier of Growth Technology products.

Environmental Control

The entire greenhouse environment can be controlled by a single unit such as Shiva. These high tech controllers incorporate an infra-red carbon dioxide analyser to monitor CO₂ levels and an output to switch the gas generator or CO₂ regulator. These remarkable controllers will also control temperature and humidity and are the ultimate in good greenhouse management. They can be obtained through the hydroponic store where you bought your Growth Gas Generator.

Setting up Growth Gas Generator

You will need to find a stable base on which to stand your Generator. It will be best located away from walkways and busy areas to ensure that it does not get knocked over. For peace of mind the generator is best screwed onto a larger metal base and holes are provided in the feet for this purpose.

Best location for gas distribution is near centre of growing area but this is not too important provided that there is plenty of air circulation by fan.

Propane tank should be located OUTSIDE the greenhouse or growroom. If your hose is not long enough for this you can obtain a longer piece from any gas supply centre. Please ensure that you always use genuine high pressure hose like that supplied with the generator. Hose should be connected to regulator and generator. Hose clips (jubilees) MUST be used to ensure a gas tight fit.

Once you are completely happy with the location of your generator you can ignite the pilot. Follow the instruction manual carefully. When the pilot is alight you will be able to ignite the generator by turning on the mains. You are now ready to set your timer. Best timer for this job will be a digital one as it will allow precise time settings but you will need as many "on" and "off" settings as possible. The best digital timer we have found has 42 settings for "on" and "off" and will be available from your hydroponic retailer.

You can use this table as a basis for your timer setting. It is recommended that you allow your generator to settle in for a couple of days after setting timer, and then take CO₂ readings using a CO₂ Analysis Kit. Take the readings in the middle of the growing period and then make the necessary adjustments, increasing the burning time by a couple of minutes for instance. Wait 24 hours and take a new reading. You will soon find the level that suits your situation.

• The atmosphere, part of the Growing Environment described in the hydroponics manual.
• CO₂ Release Systems and accessories in the catalogue.
• Combined Atmospheric controllers in the environmental control section of the catalogue.