GardenGoober said:Same problem here. I really want to buy one of those automatic vent openers but having a difficult time finding one that will lift the shower door ... unless I pay $140.

I thought that I would try to build some material into the top of a cold frame that I could easily cut slots into. Cut out around 40% of the material in a series of slots.

Then lay some more of that material over the cut-out area, supported by some groove or track running horizontally so the extra piece could slide back and forth with only friction, no weight.

Then cut out 40% of that material, in slots the same shape as the slots in the wall or roof.

Then arrange the "vent opener" to slide the second piece sideways to either open it up by 40% (align the cut-out-slots) or close it 100% (mis-align the slots).

Does that make any sense, or should I try to sketch it?

Hmm, I think I need you to make a video of that in operation to understand the purpose, Rick. Could you make a mock-up with a small box and some sheets of paper? Post it to YouTube and we can all see what you mean.

Wouldn't an old venetian blind accomplish the same thing? You can even get them cut to fit.

But a cold frame needs to get light to the seedlings, and also needs to ventilate itself to keep from overheating, right?

Hi Tori!

I've enjoyed reading your thread and your wonderful sense of humor!

How heavy is the shower door that you are trying to vent?

Weedwhacker said:Woofie and Tori -- how far apart are you talking about for the two parts?

My garden is probably 60-70 yards from my kitchen. The sensor "must be within 165 ft" of the display unit, according to the instruction booklet. My cold frame is just a wee bit outside that range and unfortunately it's now full of compost and seedlings so we can't move it closer. =\

Never mind, Tori. In a few weeks the word "cold" will no longer be in our vocabulary. Scope out a new spot for the cold frame, and after you've planted out all the plants in there, pick it up and move it closer to the house.

All this comes under the heading "Learning Experience" right Like the seeds, thinning etc.

Danita said:Hi Tori!

I've enjoyed reading your thread and your wonderful sense of humor!

How heavy is the shower door that you are trying to vent?

Thanks Danita!! DH said it's at least 20#.

dyzzypyxxy said:Never mind, Tori. In a few weeks the word "cold" will no longer be in our vocabulary. Scope out a new spot for the cold frame, and after you've planted out all the plants in there, pick it up and move it closer to the house.

All this comes under the heading "Learning Experience" right Like the seeds, thinning etc.

LOL... AMEN Sistah!

I think my problem may be not only distance, but also all the metal roofing and siding in between! I do have one set of transmitter and receiver that will work, but it has an annoying alarm that goes off at random temperatures and I can't seem to turn it off. Sigh. I follow the instructions for turning off the alarm and it shuts up for a while, but I think it's just toying with me because eventually it starts beeping again. Sentient. And malevolent.

I don't know much about coldframes, but I'm thinking that if the shower door is hinged to the frame on the back then the hinges should assume part of the weight of the door when the vent-opener opens. If that's the case, then the vent-opener wouldn't have to lift the full weight of the door and you could use a less expensive model.

I bet the people on our Greenhouse Forum would be able to help you out with the physics and calculations.
http://garden.org/forums/view/...

dyzzypyxxy said:Hmm, I think I need you to make a video of that in operation to understand the purpose, Rick. Could you make a mock-up with a small box and some sheets of paper? Post it to YouTube and we can all see what you mean.

Venetian blinds would block the sun whe4n closed.

I'm thinking of a rectangle of something clear or translucent, like plastic or Fiberglas, that would slide back and forth on a clear part of the cold frame, either opening or closing vent slots.

It would have to seal fairly tightly against the cold frame, to prevent air leakss. That friction would resist opening and closing, but at least the weight of the rectangle would not matter.