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"Safe" non mains heated propagaters

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  • #1

    "Safe" non mains heated propagaters

    Do such things exist? I don't have outdoor electricity and it's not a job I think I could undertake myself, so for the moment at least, I think that's a non starter. I would really like to have a heated propagator in my greenhouse though. I've looked at some options with using parafin heaters (in fact Snadger and NtG's ideas are one of the top Google links for this kind of thing!) but I don't know if that would be safe for my kids to be around? I know I can *say* 'don't touch that!' but... I think the bottom line is I need something where none of the bits get too hot and that won't be easily knocked over.

    Sorry to be such a numpty!
    I was feeling part of the scenery
    I walked right out of the machinery
    My heart going boom boom boom
    "Hey" he said "Grab your things
    I've come to take you home."
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Interesting question Seahorse!

    Maybe you can design a heated propagator which uses a hotwire from a Ni-Cad battery?
    If someone could sort out the logistics where you could use two batteries and always have one on charge at home, I would certainly be interested.

    Failing that, hook a small generator up to a hamsters wheel and give him a bit more grub!
    A windmill or a water wheel is also a theoretical option!
    My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
    to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

    Diversify & prosper


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    • #3
      a windmill would be a good choice for my OH he produces plenty
      The love of gardening is a seed once sown never dies ...

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      • #4
        Look at Snadger's thread on "Cost saving ways of heating greenhouse" (can't work out how to post a link). The one about steaming horse manure. Stick the propogator on top of the heap - voila! Heated propagator .

        I'll get me coat!
        Last edited by JanieB; 10-01-2008, 04:23 PM.
        "I prefer rogues to imbeciles as they sometimes take a rest" (Alexander Dumas)
        "It is neccessary to have wished for death in order to know how good it is to live" (also Alexandre Dumas)
        Oxfordshire

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        • #5
          Do you need one?

          I grow tons of plants, especially softies like tomato, chillie et al and have never used one. Everything germinates in the kitchen before being moved to the greenhouse.

          I find that unless you can keep a really close eye on them, your plants end up leggy very quickly or are so soft due to the heat that they keel over in the real world. However some people swear by them, so each to their own.

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          • #6
            How about one of these Seahorse?

            Kays Discount Garden Supplies - N A Kays Horticulture - Para Prop by Wee Willie Winkie Heaters Model 1
            ntg
            Never be afraid to try something new.
            Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
            A large group of professionals built the Titanic
            ==================================================

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            • #7
              Do you have a heated greenhouse Piglet W? What time of year do you move them into your greenhouse. I'm particularly interested in the timings of the peppers and tomatoes.

              And when your back stops aching,
              And your hands begin to harden.
              You will find yourself a partner,
              In the glory of the garden.

              Rudyard Kipling.sigpic

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Snadger View Post
                Interesting question Seahorse!

                Maybe you can design a heated propagator which uses a hotwire from a Ni-Cad battery?
                If someone could sort out the logistics where you could use two batteries and always have one on charge at home, I would certainly be interested.

                Failing that, hook a small generator up to a hamsters wheel and give him a bit more grub!
                A windmill or a water wheel is also a theoretical option!
                I'm about to Google the Ni-Cad thing. One thing I did wonder about but didn't dare ask in case it was just too irredeemably stupid was wind up/clockwork technology. I know this can power radios and the like - is it unfeasible to power a propagator this way? I'm thinking it's the equivalent of a hand powered windmill? Though perhaps I'd have to wind it for 23 hours a day?!

                Originally posted by JanieB View Post
                Look at Snadger's thread on "Cost saving ways of heating greenhouse" (can't work out how to post a link). The one about steaming horse manure. Stick the propogator on top of the heap - voila! Heated propagator .

                I'll get me coat!
                No, don't get your coat! This is on my 'to do' list!

                Originally posted by pigletwillie View Post
                Do you need one?
                Need? No, I guess not really. However, I'd like to have a go for myself and see how it works out!

                Originally posted by nick the grief View Post
                How about one of these Seahorse?

                Kays Discount Garden Supplies - N A Kays Horticulture - Para Prop by Wee Willie Winkie Heaters Model 1
                Look good but wouldn't the burner get really hot?

                Big thanks for everyone's input so far!
                I was feeling part of the scenery
                I walked right out of the machinery
                My heart going boom boom boom
                "Hey" he said "Grab your things
                I've come to take you home."

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by Seahorse View Post
                  ... Look good but wouldn't the burner get really hot?
                  No I've got one of this sort of heater that I use in the cold frame if it's really cold and the heater case is never hot, the metal gauze bit is mind you !

                  When I first got my little greenhouse I uses a single burner parafin lamp, a steel shelf ( upside down and filled with damp sand) and a some bricks that I uses to adjust the height of the heater to regulate the temerature. OK it's not as accurate as my electric propagator but it worked and I do think I've had such good results - might be the CO2 from the heat or might just be my fading memory

                  They do various sizes of these propagators as well, and don't forget it helps to keep your greenhouse warm as well
                  ntg
                  Never be afraid to try something new.
                  Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
                  A large group of professionals built the Titanic
                  ==================================================

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Mmm... I shall think on that then Nick! Thanks!
                    I was feeling part of the scenery
                    I walked right out of the machinery
                    My heart going boom boom boom
                    "Hey" he said "Grab your things
                    I've come to take you home."

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      cant say my horse manure has steamed sufficiently to get anywhere warm enough to propagate yet.
                      Surely someone has come up with a solar powered heater of some sort ?
                      Last edited by Glasshousevirgin; 12-01-2008, 06:16 PM. Reason: as Flummery pointed out solar powered horses not an option lol

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                      • #12
                        Solar powered horse? Could catch on!
                        Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

                        www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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                        • #13
                          obviously depending on how much heat you need but if you just want to keep the chill out as it were in my potting shed / fake greenhouse (Clear Plasitc walls) is use a parafin power hurricane lame (remember those) they can be picked up cheap at car boot sales etc and as they are enclosed the only danger is it being knocked over but they can be hung up which solves this problem in most cases

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                          • #14
                            I'm in the same postion as you seahorse. I'm considering an 18W solar panel, a couple of car batteries and an inverter to power some low wattage heated propagator. I've done the sums and I reckon it would work here. But we never get really low temps (as in minus) so you may need a higher wattage panel. All I need to do is find someone on the island that will sell the stuff - I don't fancy mail order solar panels in case they break.

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                            • #15
                              Oh... I do wish I wasn't such a numpty laydeee Solar power, clockwork, batteries... there *has* to be an answer here, doesn't there!?

                              Time to put my big girl panties on and sort something out!!!
                              I was feeling part of the scenery
                              I walked right out of the machinery
                              My heart going boom boom boom
                              "Hey" he said "Grab your things
                              I've come to take you home."

                              Comment

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