Watch my plants grow with me! Introducing the Ellz GrowCam!

[ellz]

Today I was able to dig out an old computer I built like a decade ago and I'm currently updating it (at least trying to). It hasn't been turned on since 2013!!! So if I can get that one up and running, I will be using it for my camera stream. If not, I'm going to resort to cyber begging to see if I can get enough donations to upgrade it.

[ellz]

A couple of updates:
I discovered an issue with my time lapse clips. If the first file name doesn't end with 000 then the system will automatically overwrite files once it hits the set amount of images for the day (2880 images in a day). so I'm going to have to come up with a set schedule where I always remove the old files so the fresh files can start back.

On the positive side, the little computer I dug out of my garage is actually updating to the most recent version of Windows 10. Granted it hast taken since yesterday afternoon to go from what it had in 2013 to what it should have now and it's still not done. But I think once it's finally updated I can add a larger hard drive and I can use it strictly for doing my grow cam.

Until next time, happy growing!

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 24:

Sorry for the delay in getting this processed and uploaded, but I had to literally go through and rename over 2,000 files to make the time lapse work (due to the issue mentioned in the previous post). I believe I have since fixed that so I won't have to do that again. Also, this is the very first full day's time lapse (24 full hours). Until next time, happy growing!

[ellz]

Quick update on the computer I'm working on for the GrowCam...
The PC I dug out of the garage will run the software but it's VERY SLOW! It has an old AMD Athlon X2 chip in it from over a decade ago. I also had another old gaming rig I dug out today that just needs a new processor which I found on eBay for $50! So I should have that by the end of the week and hopefully I can get that system going. Until then, I'm just using my newer (but still quite old) gaming PC to keep the stream and time lapse going.

Until next time, happy growing.

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 25:

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 26:

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 27:

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 28 (software issue caused a chunk of time to not be recorded):

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 29 (nutrient change day):

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 30:

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 31:

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 32:

[ellz]

Time Lapse Day 33:

[ellz]

Please note:
I will have to take the live feed offline a couple of times over the next two days. First, to install a new custom desk I built and then to build my new gaming pc and migrate the old hardware over to another case. Once that is done, I will finally have a computer dedicated solely to the grow cam. That will be so nice. I've had to leave my computer on 24/7 and the heat output from the CPU is over 150ºF!! It's hot AF in my room! Eventually, I will be running ethernet cable out to my garage so I can finally get a better connection for streaming. That will require money so I have to save for a little while. Anyway, that's enough about my life story. Until next time, happy growing!

[Canuck147]

Cool story - wish I was half as good as you are with the electronics - I was good in the analog stereo days, had a stereo got me evicted 3 different times I played it so loud.

[ellz]

Thanks. I've been doing it so long it's become like second nature.

[ellz]

And we're back up and running! My new desk is installed and I love it!

[ellz]

God I love that color! It's not quite that vibrant in person but in the pic it's stunning.