Greenhouse modifications and things to come

Last year, I constructed the frame for a 4x4 greenhouse, but never put it into action. Reason? I didn't feel it would shed rain and snow well, mainly because there was only 4 pieces of pipe to hold the plastic sheeting up on the roof part. So, I've spent the last year thinking about the problem, and finally came up with a better design. Although it's still not perfect, I feel it will do just fine.
Many of you have never seen this little greenhouse, but I bet you still knew that somehow it would be like no other in the cyber world. Yep, only a true redneck could come up with something this crazy looking. Ha!

Ok, here's the pvc frame fully assembled - which was constructed with standard pvc fittings from Lowes. Sure, special fittings can be purchased from several websites on the internet to make things look nicer, but that would make this little thing pretty expensive to build. Anyway, it's made from 1/2" schedule 40 materials, and isn't glued. Yep, the entire thing can be disassembled for storage.....Well, except for the door and the very top part where the fan is mounted.....

Photo below - the most interesting part is probably the top, because of all of the transitions needed to enclose the small 12 volt dc fan. (Yep, there's a cooling fan mounted in the top) By my calculations, it should provide around 2 complete air changes per minute - although it might not even be utilized. We'll see...That top part was really difficult to put together, and the four screws extending upward are for the rain cap.

Photo below - the door is supported by homemade hinges made from thin wall 3/4" pvc, and can be slid off of the pipe on the left. Door stops were installed after the photo was made - which keep the door from swinging too far inward. As stated earlier, the door is 1 of only 2 parts of the entire thing that was glued.

Photo below - From this perspective, you can see the optional frame that was made for the inside. A piece of lightweight plywood will be cut to fit on top, which will allow an extra level for growing things in this particular corner. Due to how it will be positioned inside the framework of the big raised bed, this is the only way it could be done without shading something out.

It'll be skinned with 6 mil clear plastic sheeting in a few weeks, and of course the japanese maple trees growing in containers will be put inside. The possibility of a few things direct-sown inside is likely throughout the winter months too - especially since it's got alot of room for stuff. This little greenhouse will be invaluable for hardening off tomato transplants next spring, and a few might even be wintersown.

Photo below - see this little box? Well, it's a power supply that came out of an old personal computer, and was modified to provide 2 different voltages out for all of my electrical tinkering in the backyard. The red and black posts on the right are for 5 volts dc, and the ones on the left for 12 volts dc. Although it's capable of producing several more voltages, these 2 are the only ones that are needed right now.

Photo below - this little belt-driven gear reduction out of a printer has a tiny motor that runs off of 5 volts dc, and will eventually be utilized to help ventilate the little greenhouse. I figure it'll either crack the door open a bit, or might even open another small door, as well. Lots to think about, and plenty of time to put something together for it....

Well, as you can see...it's gonna be interesting around here over the winter - especially once the coldframes are thrown into the mix. Since the little greenhouse will be plainly visible from the road once finally in place, i'm sure passersby will think "what the?" Heh. There's nothing like setting something freaky out front to mess with the neighbors......Anyway, i'll provide an update on it in a few weeks.

Take care, and happy gardening!

EG