Newbie with a few questions

Projects General Guidance
1

Ok, I have a few quick questions:

  1. Are arduinos mostly for gathering data from their environment? Of the few projects I've researched, people are hooking things like co2, heat, humidity, etc. sensors up to them and reading data.

if not

  1. Can they be programmed to control their environment? Can I program one to turn on or off a device if one of their sensors gives a certain reading? ex. humidity sensor reads a humidity too high, and the arduino kicks on a dehumidifier.

if so

  1. What would be a good unit to handle multiple functions, including: humidity, co2, heating/cooling, and another 2 devices on a timer.

Basically, I'm trying to see if I can build a brain for a grow room without having to spend $500+ dollars at a grow store.

Thanks!

2

Google for garduino projects. That'll show you examples of sensing and controlling. Which arduino would suit you depends on how many sensors and controlled devices you're planning to use.

3

I agree with WildBill, google garduino projects.
however, to answer your question.
Arduino boards can do much more then reading their environment.
Arduino boards can also be used with servo's to make robots, And I could sit here writing forever with the opportunities and things you can make with them.
What I found handy to have is an arduino beginners book which you can buy or download. and start making simple projects, and advance from there.

kind regards,
-goldfile

4

  1. I'm not sure about mostly, but it is very common

  2. yes

  3. A Mega 2560. Most of these systems are the same - data aquisition from several sources, consequent control, local display, time keeping, communication, and backup. With a Uno etc., you can run short of memory or pins, quite often the former first. A Mega has plenty of both.