Smart Solar 41000R01 Solar Roto Basket, Rotates Plant Baskets for Even Sun Exposure

Smart Solar 41000R01 Solar Roto Basket, Rotates Plant Baskets for Even Sun Exposure Sale

A solar powered hanging basket rotator that ensures even light exposure and promotes plant growth.

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Description

• Rotates hanging baskets slowly
• Suitable for outdoor use
• The brighter the sun the more the basket turns
• Rotates hanging baskets up to a maximum weight of 27 ponds : 12 kg
• Powered by an integral low light solar panel

Smart Solar 41000R01 Solar Roto Basket, Rotates Plant Baskets for Even Sun Exposure Customer Review


Hanging baskets under an eve tend not to get sufficient sun if not rotated every day. Purchased the Roto Basket in hopes of resolving the problem. Have not installed it for use yet do to the cool weather in the Chicagoland area, however, I have been testing it indoors awaiting the arrival of spring.

The concept of the Roto Basket is as old as electronics itself. A photocell captures the sunlight and converts it to electricity, charging a capacitor (actually a Resistive Capacitive network). The capacitor, once fully charged, discharges itself to a small motor to rotate the planter a few degrees via a gear train, then repeats the process as long as there is sufficient light. Ingenious.

The mounting loop can be adjusted to any of three positions in order to capture the most sunlight available at the installed location and season. The rotating hook hangs below the unit to support the hanging of your basket. There is a weight limitation on the basket but 24 pounds should be sufficient for the normal basket of flowers. Personally, I have gone to coir or coco fiber as a medium for the lightness it offers even when soaking wet.

Only a growing season outdoors will totally test the unit but everything seen so far indicates that it will do the job, as advertised. I intend to update this throughout the growing season and if the unit performs as expected, there will be several more purchased.

Nov 8, 2009... Removed unit for the winter. Fantastic device. Rotated the basket all day, every day, one step at a time. The plants seemed to like it - 'no dark side' in their lives. Now, if I could only get it to water the plants too. Buying more before spring.

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