Thermocube T-3

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:19 pm

No wonder I couldn't find one.
Home Depot says none of their Canadian outlets stock Thermocubes!

This U.S. farm supply dealer apparently ships everywhere.
http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail. ... 5f61ee1393

I think theres a T-1, T-3 and T-4 model, so be sure to get the one you need.
The one that comes on around 35F and shuts off at 45F is the T-3.

Barb

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:27 pm

Thanks for the research, Barb.
I cannot find them in local stores so I figure I'll have to order one online for my planned Chameadorea hut.
Maybe another for the laying hens, who always get one of those 250 watt heat lamps in winter.
--Erik
P.S. way off topic, but W spent the evening getting night vision goggle training in helicopters in Missouri.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Tue Nov 02, 2010 10:28 pm

Thanks for the research, Barb.
I cannot find them in local stores so I figure I'll have to order one online for my planned Chameadorea hut.
Maybe another for the laying hens, who always get one of those 250 watt heat lamps in winter.
--Erik
P.S. way off topic, but W spent the evening getting night vision goggle training in helicopters in Missouri.

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 4:20 am

Barb- Check the price. There is a 'hedonics' store here that sells them. The price is higher, but I bought them since I did not have to pay shipping.

JackLord · Post by **JackLord** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 6:30 am

I just procured one off of Amazon. Something like 12 bucks and free shipping.

It better work.

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:55 am

Ah, to be in the USA... Amazon.ca just doesn't cut it...

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 8:48 am

35-45f worked great for my Washys last year.

Should be able to find them around $12 + shipping

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 9:24 am

I ordered one online before I saw Paul's post about hedonics.

From my link, they're $13.00 plus $30-something to ship UPS to Canada...pretty high shipping charge for a 3-ounce item.
Oh well.
Canadian border will probably hold onto it for a month to see if it's a "restricted shipment"

It really ticks me off that US purchase price is $13.00.
If--and that's a big if--we can find 'em here, they're about $45 or $50. Ridiculous!

Why the heck is everything so bloody expensive here?
*grumble grumble*

night vision goggle training

Erik, I bet W found that training exciting!

Barb

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 12:24 pm

Barb- FYI they were 20 bucks from Hedonics. So you're not losing that much since they'd have to ship to you anyway.

Cowtown Palm Society · Wed Nov 03, 2010 4:28 pm

Hi Guys,

Got two from this place in California.

http://www.thermocube.com/

Yeah, was about $20 a piece factoring in shipping.

Duncan

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:00 pm

My one item will be $43.00

Which ones did you get Duncan? The T-2 or T-3?

You folks know I've got a little thermostatically-controlled space heater for my palm hut.

Do you recommend turning the heater onto full blast Hi Heat, and then plugging into Thermocube which would then control the heater's on/off setting?

Or just keep the heater at a medium heat for the thermocube to kick on/off?

Thanks.
Barb

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:15 am

I would crank your heater back some, the thermo cubes are rated for 1500 watts and that's likely what your heater is on full power. You really don't want your heat to go off like mine did last year

Bill

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:46 am

I agree with Bill,if it's going on and off at 35/45 your Trachy is
spoiled anyway-as long as the low setting is enough to keep it "warm."

They should be rated to 1800wts,aren't they Bill?

Just saw a place that sells them with shipping $18.78

WTF

$30 to ship? That ain't right!

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:49 am

"$30 to ship? That ain't right!"

Oh, Canada!

BILL MA · Post by **BILL MA** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:31 am

Maybe they are 1800 watts that would make more sense since there 15 amps, duh on my part.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 2:15 pm

BILL MA wrote:Maybe they are 1800 watts that would make more sense since there 15 amps, duh on my part.

No duh necessary my friend,lot's of details in this cold hardy business.

I had just peeked at them,time to order now

Cowtown Palm Society · Thu Nov 04, 2010 4:18 pm

Hi Guys and Gals,

Barb, I actually got a couple of T-1s (on at -18c, off at -12c) with my yuccas in mind-rostrata and bacatta. The idea being: no worse than -18 (0f) under cover. Perhaps this is a little too ambitious

? We'll see how it goes. I've got a semi-plan rigged up with the heat tape you suggested. I'll probably end up doing some babying-ie turning the heat tape on at temps. warmer than -18c. Will be fun and interesting though

. Will keep you posted-could be -20 here any day now. BTW-was going to just let my little med. fan palm perish in due time-but now I'm losing my nerve and thinking of protecting it too. Man I love seeing palms in November, in Calgary! My needle and j-tree that were potted in the ground are dug up and ready to winter inside as soon as the balmy weather inevitably departs. Take care!

Duncan

canadianplant · Post by **canadianplant** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 6:04 pm

I bet they liked the 21c you had today dude...

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:24 pm

Yup, trust me to find the MOST expensive place to buy something, LOL.
Shipping to Canada is as expensive as shipping to Mars!

I had looked for a thermocube that didn't go up to 45F as that seems too warm for a Trachy.
But couldn't find one, so opted for the on/off 35/45

OK thanks guys, will put the heater on medium with the T-3.
Will watch the palm-hut remote thermometer for the first couple of days to see if adjustments are needed.
We're still mild-ish so the door is still open 24/7.

T-1's Duncan?
Wow, I think that is too ambitious...doubt young plants can handle -18C 0F their first winter.
But if you incorporate a heat tape, that'll kick on long before and should stay on until it's above freezing temps...after all, it's meant to keep water pipes from freezing.

Glad you're going to protect the fan palm, Duncan, they're so beautiful and easy care.
It'd be a shame to use it as an annual, especially when you're protecting other stuff.
The needle could have stayed out too, with protection.
Agree with the young Joshua spending winter indoors until it's older. Cool (unused barely heated room), dry and bright light is best.

-20C any day now????

Let's hope it warms up again for you to complete the protection.

I finally finished painting the bloody palm hut...only took 1+ years to finish.

Thanks for the tips everybody!
Barb

serj · Post by **serj** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:50 am

Tell me please, which voltage needs for this device 110-120 volts or 220-240?

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Nov 09, 2010 7:34 am

Voltage around the world
http://users.telenet.be/worldstandards/ ... tm#voltage

Cowtown Palm Society · Tue Nov 09, 2010 8:04 am

Yes CanadianPlant, it's been a nice run for us this fall. -8 and -9 forecasted lows for the next two nights though

-I guess it had to come. How's the weather for you out there?

Barb, nice work on the palm hut!

Talk soon everybody!

Duncan

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 11:31 am

lucky1 wrote:Voltage around the world
http://users.telenet.be/worldstandards/ ... tm#voltage

Barb

That was a cool link with some interesting info!

PhilMusa · Post by **PhilMusa** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:35 pm

I picked up a T-3 at Hedonics for $20.00 (thanks Paul for the info). I hooked up a 60 watt light bulb

and it seems to keep my mini palm hit from going below 30F. Coldest outside temp so far has been -12.6.6C/9.3F

Does anyone know if there is a more efficient way of heating an area roughly 5'Lx2'Wx4'H using the thermocube and a standard incandescent 60 watt light bulb?

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:09 pm

More insulation.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:32 pm

-12C and a 60w bulb kept it at 30F? pretty darn good.

Did you post a pic? sorry can't recall.
A can of low expansion spray foam works wonders at ceiling joins.
And extra insulation around the base, leaves, old carpets, cardboard etc.

Barb

PhilMusa · Post by **PhilMusa** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 7:37 pm

It's very crude and needs some fixing. I will try to take a pic in the next few days.

tlcivi · Post by **tlcivi** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:18 pm

Well to be honest i wouldnt mess with a 60w bulb. A 60w bulb does not generate much heat for its draw. |You can touch it and it wont hurt. But a 90 w bulb in there. Why? a 90w bulb gets hot and puts out heat with a small increase in draw. If you drop a bead of water on a 90w bulb it will blow. why. because its hot. with a termocube you want to maintain a temp of 32-45 degrees. a 60w will burn for hours to raise it. A 90 w 30 min or so. i took a christmas tree box 4ft by 3 f by 6 ft in 28 f . the 60 buld after 3 hours was 48. the 90 was 70. just a common box with a 90 w bulb kept it zone 7. if you ran a 60 w bulb all month and a 90 w bulb all month you are talking lesss than 3 bucks. with the thermocube it my be zero. JMO

PhilMusa · Post by **PhilMusa** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:06 am

Thanks for the reply Tlcivi.

The only issue I have with the 90 watt light bulb is the fact that it is not very common. I would have to sub it with a 100 watt.
Alternately I could add a string of C9 light bulbs and only lighting about 10 of them around the plants.

Thoughts?

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:14 am

PhilMusa wrote:I picked up a T-3 at Hedonics for $20.00 (thanks Paul for the info). I

Have you bought it at Hedonics (1120 Caledonia Rd. or at another location)?

PhilMusa · Post by **PhilMusa** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:30 am

Have you bought it at Hedonics (1120 Caledonia Rd. or at another location)?

Yes I did, as it's only takes me about 20 minute drive there from my house.

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 9:46 am

PhilMusa wrote:
Have you bought it at Hedonics (1120 Caledonia Rd. or at another location)?
Yes I did, as it's only takes me about 20 minute drive there from my house.

Thanks Phil, I'm gonna ask my relatives purchasing a couple of them for me. They live at Bathurst ans Steeles area. Same 20 minutes driving.

PhilMusa · Post by **PhilMusa** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:13 am

No problems,

BTW, your retlatives are most likely a nice calm

20 minute drive to the store with no highways driving 60km/hr. My 20 minutes involves highways and what some would call "excessive speed"

but only if traffic permitts...

Paul Ont · Post by **Paul Ont** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:26 am

For what it's worth I just hooked up some mini lights to my thermo cube. I also have a couple of cable heaters wrapped around soda bottles in there... Seems to hold heat pretty well... My problem is balancing insulation with enough light. If I insulate too much, I'm worried that the plants will become leggy and lead to too much brown tissue in spring...

PhilMusa · Post by **PhilMusa** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:08 pm

I have the same concern about balancing the insulation and light requirement. I'm probably wasting energy by letting out too much heat at night however the opposite occurs during the day.

hardyjim · Post by **hardyjim** » Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:54 pm

Paul Ont wrote:For what it's worth I just hooked up some mini lights to my thermo cube. I also have a couple of cable heaters wrapped around soda bottles in there... Seems to hold heat pretty well... My problem is balancing insulation with enough light. If I insulate too much, I'm worried that the plants will become leggy and lead to too much brown tissue in spring...

Are you saying your palms will grow over winter?