Automatic vent openers?

[Newton]

Stupid question but do they need electricity to work? I saw one in Homebase for 1999 and thought it was a good idea. What does everyone think?

[Sanjo]

Wouldn't be without mine Newton. It does not require electricity. It's heat expanding the metal that causes the action of the window opening, that's as far as I can explain it. Not very technical eh, but I have no doubt somebody else will explain it better for you but there is no electricity involved. Not in mine anyway!!

[Newton]

Thanks sanjo. That's what I need coz we have no electricity at the allotment. I will get one then try to figure out how to fit it on an aluminium greenhouse.

[binley100]

They come with destructions........and they work by magic

[grannymem]

Love mine

[Currysniffa]

I need a new one as mines stopped working and I can't get a new cylinder (halls) for this one I've looked, I'm getting mine from two Wests and Elliotts and I'm making sure I can get replacement cylinder too.

I'm thinking of getting one for the louvres at some point.

[WendyC]

I've one on my greenhouse and it is a lifesaver ( for the plants that is!) I've replaced the cylinder a couple of times from memory. You can tell if they need replacing as they don't work (obviously!) but if some of the gunge inside starts to leak out is a sign you need a new one. I managed to get fitting instructions from the internet as the ones that came with it weren't very detailed.

[Newton]

Thanks wendyc. I bought the Homebase versionand a kind man who can fitted it for me. I'm a man who can't!!!

It's working a treat. And Binley.....it's magic as you said. I still can't figure how it works! Maybe the BBC will make a programme on it with stephen fry, Brian Cox and that guy in a wheelchair who speaks through his computer......

[VirginVegGrower]

Two vents on my greenhouse. Came with it and were fitted by the chaps who built the greenhouse. Absolute necessity given that temperatures in a greenhouse can reach the 40s in there on a summer's day!

[chris]

As above, mine came with 2 auto vents, and a lourve. Still, with the vents open it can still get very hot inside. I have to have the lourve and door wide open to make sure it's not too hot in there

I'm thinking of changing my lourve to an auto one though, I forgot to open it and despite the vents being open (door + lourve shut) it went up to 37 in there last week (overcast).

I'd like to come up with a more versitile way of keeping my chickens out of there too - just don't have the time at the moment! (house having work done, two allotments under way, garden work going on and banging some freelance work out at the same time - argh!!)

[salilah]

The oil inside expands as it heats up, pushing the piston (?) out to raise the vent. As the temperature falls, the oil contracts / reduces in volume and the weight of the window pushes the piston back in.

I've 2 which work fine
I also had 2 on the louvre windows but these were not set well, and the pressure pulled the attachment between the louvre and the opener off on both of them! I haven't reconnected as I tend to leave the louvres open all summer (the greenhouse is by a hedge so there is no real wind coming in here)

S

[VirginVegGrower]

As above, mine came with 2 auto vents, and a lourve. Still, with the vents open it can still get very hot inside. I have to have the lourve and door wide open to make sure it's not too hot in there

I'm thinking of changing my lourve to an auto one though, I forgot to open it and despite the vents being open (door + lourve shut) it went up to 37 in there last week (overcast).

I'd like to come up with a more versitile way of keeping my chickens out of there too - just don't have the time at the moment! (house having work done, two allotments under way, garden work going on and banging some freelance work out at the same time - argh!!)

Insect netting on a fixed wood baton frame. Aldi or Lidl were selling these recently or if your greenhouse is metal maybe a mesh stair gate? Or a foxy bouncer on the door - only kidding!

[chris]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post856679

[Alison]

I've had one on my greenhouse top opening window and on the side vent for about 10 years and they work great every year. The only problem I have is with the vent one sometimes goes overboard when it's very hot and the vents go past 90 deg and won't close easily. The window one was a real doddle to fit and only takes about 5 mins every spring and autumn when I take it off / on. The vent one was more difficult as I installed it at the same time as I fitted the vent and that involved cutting glass but again, very easy and WELL worth the money. I think the vent one stopped working once but a bit of WD40 on the moving bits solved the problem in seconds.

[Currysniffa]

I put a new one on my greenhouse over the weekend and its working a treat, I couldn't get down there till this afternoon and the vent was open wide and the toms, peppers and chillies all sat there very happy