Greenhouse on new home

[craigibc]

I purchased a house in 2016 and it has a greenhouse like this on the back. I can use some advice if you have any experience.

1. Do you know how the motor operates to open the vents at the top or lower them? I was able to open it with a lightswitch on the wall but I was not able to lower it so I had to drop them manually.

2. Do you know how to get to the top of this to clean or work on it? I cannot find any kind of ladder and my feeble attempt to place a ladder against the aluminum rail resulted in broken glass.

Any insight or experience would be great!

Craig

 

[craigibc]

I guess the question would be I was able to raise but no idea how to lower it.

Reverse I guess would be the issue.

 

[dmcintosh]

Often times these vents are connected to some sort of temperature control and are supposed to open and close based on a setting you dial in. Any indication that there is a thermostat on the system?

 

[ckprax]

I have a two story solarium on my house. It is similar to what you show. I wish I had vents. It lets a serious amount of heat in and out of the house. I had custom insulated blinds made to help with the heat transfer. I like them a lot but they were very expensive.

As for cleaning, I only do it in the summer. Heavy rain and snow sliding off keeps it pretty clean the rest of the year. I go on the roof with a hose and a long scrub brush to do the top and a little down the curved glass. I use a step ladder to do the rest from the ground.

 

[cheesehead2]

I have a two story solarium on my house. It is similar to what you show. I wish I had vents. It lets a serious amount of heat in and out of the house. I had custom insulated blinds made to help with the heat transfer. I like them a lot but they were very expensive.

As for cleaning, I only do it in the summer. Heavy rain and snow sliding off keeps it pretty clean the rest of the year. I go on the roof with a hose and a long scrub brush to do the top and a little down the curved glass. I use a step ladder to do the rest from the ground.

I have a single story one like the one you show. I also found this to be the best way to clean also. As I live in the north sun/heat is not a problem. Most of out plant go outside in the spring . Heat is more of a problem.

 

[Super Mech]

I have nothing to add here except that I would love to have a greenhouse like that!

 

[Kaizen]

leave that switch on and see if it closes when temps cool down. either on that motor or wired to it. usually have adjustments on them.
is that a switch on the bottom of the motor?
you need venting and shades for summer. winter its awesome when there's three feet of snow on the ground and sunny and your watering plants in shorts. do some research on passive solar. putting some water filled barrels in there to absorb daytime sun and radiate out at night in winter

 

[craigibc]

I agree it is a great add on and right now it is full of wood and tools from a recent remodel of the kitchen. With spring in the air I want to get it setup and working since it is once place we have not touched in the house yet. I will go and do some more research and get back this thread!

Craig

 

[TractorJeff]

Those types of motors typically come as "Power Open/Spring Close". Though some come setup opposite. It usually depends on the Louvers they are attached to.

 

[Git]

Did you try contacting the company where you got that picture of the motor - looks like they are in Massachusetts (they may have even installed it?)

http://www.glassstructures.com/parts/motors.htm

The LVR 110V operable vent system is mercury free and designed to work with many style greenhouses.

Mercury-free (many vent systems contain mercury)
High and low limits built into the motor
High and low limits are easily set to accommodate seasonal changes
Pull-down handle to lower or raise vent in the event of a power failure
Replaces "Arm and Rod" or "Rack and Pinion" Vent Systems
The LVR vent system may replace many older greenhouse motors (including L&B motors like the Mark II, No. 311 Safe Return Damper Motor Gleason-Avery, Von Weise Gear Motor, Clearline system for Solariums Somfy 562B, Janco Greenhouses and Everlite single-pane greenhouses).

 

[rburke65]

Cheesehead2.....I have a single story one like the one you show. I also found this to be the best way to clean also. As I live in the north sun/heat is not a problem. Most of out plant go outside in the spring . Heat is more of a problem.
HUH? Heat is NOT a problem..Heat is more of a problem........??

 

[craigibc]

Well I did call Glass Structures today and the missing "gooseneck" as they call it is $68.00.


Ouch!

 

[craigibc]

well after reading everyone's comments I discovered if I turn the thermostat it turns the motor on.

Craig

It is getting weirder by the moment.

 

[lkempf]

I have a very similar greenhouse attached to my house. The dial is a thermostat that tells it when to open and close the vents on the roof. the green house was probably built by Lord and Burnham.