Stacking kit question

[Jay]

I actually got my Farm Plus and stacking kit in August but I didn't get around to reconfiguring my AGs until this week.

When I put everything together and put the C brackets between the top and bottom unit the cap screws don't actually screw into the frame of the lower unit and the brackets just sit there looking useless. 

Is that normal? I emailed support but, like most places, they are probably swamped right now.

[Shawn]

My husband put mine together to I will need to ask in the morning.  But I know you have to put screws in from inside the hidden side compartment.  Will get back you on this. 

[maskedsonnet]

The screws were super hard to get in when I put mine together, the holes were TIGHT. And pretty much impossible to get enough leverage to start the screws with the clamps on the machine. I had to take the clamps off, and get a screw all the way into each c-clamp hole (actually had some metal shave off when I did, they were so tight). Then back the screws out just enough to get the clamp into place on the machine and screw them in. It’s just the c-clamp holes that are tight, the holes on the machine were easy to go into.

[Jay]

This is what it looks like, it just wiggles back and forth. I don't feel like this is right.

[Shawn]

Did you screw them in from the bottom?  There should be two per bracket.   Mine is a tad loose but not like that.

In case you do not have, here are the instructions

[Jay]

Thanks!

I thought it didn't look right.

I was using the instructions and that is with the capscrews as tight as they will go. I guess I will have to wait on customer service before I reload my Farms!

[maskedsonnet]

Yeah there is def something wrong there, looks like the clamp they sent you is waaay too big.

Mine are loose enough I can wiggle them a little bit, but don't have near that much room to move around, they look like this:



Hope customer support gets back to you soon!

[Jay]

I'm not terribly happy with the C bracket but I attached the tip over kit to the wall and I think it will do. I only have one bracket installed.

Here it is!

I do love the new corner cover. I wish I could get those for my older Farm. I'll be printing one soon (my printer is not giving me much love right now after I fixed a broken motor mount)


Forgive the gross decks on the lower unit, I just terminated my year old tomatoes in the right one and I haven't gotten around to scrubbing it down yet.



Tentative plans call for lettuce mix and cutting flowers in the top. 2 or 3 indeterminate tomatoes in one side of the lower one and bell and sweet peppers in the other side.

[dixiedoodle]

The holes in the underside of the frame are not threaded and the screws provided are not long enough to do any good. Luckily we had some extra M6 screws in an old TV wall mount kit, about 2" long. They worked perfectly. Just had to thread them in far enough to contact the upper portion of the frame and then tighten. Definitely something aerogarden needs to correct though.

[lynnee]

Something maybe worth mentioning is that the Farm control panels end up very high on the stack. You can see this in the photo posted above by Jay . For this reason, it's not a terribly good idea to stack anything taller than the shortest Farm model. If you stack two Farm Plus models, you will probably have to control it mostly with the app.

In fact, I find that the control panel is annoyingly high on a Farm 12XL--I have to stoop and stand up repeatedly when I'm draining the garden or adjusting the settings. Of course that's the price I pay for the extra growing height.

[Shawn]

I have a Basic on top of a Farm XL and I need a step stool to get up there.  Thankful for the app although I still use my step stool.

[campingcorgis]

I have 2 of the Farm+ models stacked.  Yes, the control panel on the top one is a tad high, and a step stool is needed to view it.  But, like others, I prefer the phone app anyway.  I do like the height of the bowls on the top unit!  

I did make a suggestion that it would be great if that control panel was able to swing or pivot, instead of being stationary.  

[Shawn]

Dec 10, 2022 15:31:27 GMT -5 campingcorgis said:

I have 2 of the Farm+ models stacked.  Yes, the control panel on the top one is a tad high, and a step stool is needed to view it.  But, like others, I prefer the phone app anyway.  I do like the height of the bowls on the top unit!  

I did make a suggestion that it would be great if that control panel was able to swing or pivot, instead of being stationary.  

I did speak to my contact at AG and that was their original plan however the people that make the units advised against it.  However I did mention again that it is a preferred feature as I would like it too.

[virginiab]

Put me down as another vote in favor of a flip-down control panel! I have to get out a stool all the time for it and it is hard to even see the water indicator or nutrient reminder. 

I also had trouble with the clamps to attach the units. I got one side fastened okay and the other side is just in the general location (like Jay's) but not screwed in place.