Maintenance Guide

General Structure Inspect X-bracing rods several times during the first year and seasonally thereafter. Rods should never be fully tensioned — they should always have a slight bounce. Tighten bolts, check for surface rust, and treat with cold-compound zinc spray annually. Always inspect bracing and tighten all bolts before extreme weather and after major storms.

Glazing, Wall Vents & Doors Clean glazing twice a year — spring and fall — using mild dish soap or diluted white vinegar. A pressure washer may be used with care. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, acetone, or abrasive products on polycarbonate. While cleaning, check for cracked panels and loose capping. Lubricate door hinges, closers, and wall vent racks annually. Keep spare glazing panels stored in a dry location — replacements have long lead times.

Roof System Keep gutters clear of debris, especially in late fall. Check for minor leaks after rain events and reseal with silicone caulk as needed. If roof vents make grinding or jumping noises, stop operating them immediately and contact Van Wingerden. Roof vents must be programmed to close incrementally at 15–20 mph winds and fully close at 25–30 mph — changing these settings voids the warranty. Lubricate and inspect racks, pinions, and alignment annually.

Shade System Inspect support and drive cables seasonally to ensure they are taut and winding smoothly. Check that leading edges close uniformly and inspect shade cloth for tears or uneven wear annually. When performing maintenance above the shade plane, manually override the system to hold it open. The system is designed to self-align through slip drives, minimizing the need for frequent manual adjustment.

Growing Benches Inspect anti-tip guides, leveling feet, and floor anchors annually. Check rolling tube alignment seasonally — if a tabletop binds or slides out of alignment, use two workers to push the table to one side and reset the roll tubes uniformly. Inspect bench mesh for sagging, sharp edges, or corrosion and treat with cold-compound zinc spray as needed.

Motors Motors are fitted with lifetime lubrication — only top off with the correct transmission oil if a leak is detected. Never exceed a 40% duty cycle or four minutes of continuous run time. Keep motors protected from direct rainfall and overhead irrigation. Inspect oil levels, couplings, limit switches, and electrical connections annually. Always disconnect power before servicing — switching to “Stop” is not sufficient, as weather sensors can still trigger the drive.

Exhaust Fans Check belt tension and all fasteners annually — a belt should only depress its own width when pressed at the midpoint. Keep fans clean of dust, debris, and ice buildup. Ensure shutters fully close when fans are off and fully open when running. Always lock out power before servicing and physically secure the propeller to prevent windmilling during maintenance. Keep a spare belt and set of bearings on hand for critical systems.

Air Circulation Fans Inspect and tighten propeller set screws and hanging bracket bolts annually. Verify the tilt adjustment lock is secure and the propeller is centered within the guard. Clean dust and debris from motors and blades annually to prevent overheating. If rattling occurs, check for loose set screws or a dented safety cage. Always disconnect power before servicing.

Evaporative Cooling System Maintain water pH between 6.0 and 9.0. Shut off the pump 15–30 minutes before fans each day to allow pads to fully dry out. Check for dry streaks in pads and inspect the water distribution system for leaks regularly. Clean water strainers and filters weekly to monthly, and drain, flush, and disinfect the full system quarterly. Maintain a steady 1–2% water bleed-off to prevent mineral buildup. Minimize pump on-off cycles to reduce mechanical wear.

Air Inlet Louvers Keep nylon bearings clear of heavy grease and debris. Inspect blades and tie-rods for bends or warping seasonally. Verify motorized actuators are fully cycling shutters and that return springs are not fatigued. Clean aluminum blades annually to maintain counterbalance precision. Keep a spare motorized actuator on hand. Always lock out power before servicing.

Fog Cooling & RO System Maintain feed water pressure between 30–90 PSI. Check brine tank levels monthly and refill as needed. Verify the VFD controller is maintaining pressure as zone valves cycle weekly. Ensure the minimum required number of nozzles are open during operation to prevent pump overheating. Inspect all tanks and connections for leaks monthly. This system operates at up to 1,000 PSI — only qualified personnel should service it.

Heaters Inspect burners, heat exchangers, and venting quarterly. Clean heat exchanger tubes with a nylon brush only — never a wire brush. Check for soot buildup or dark discoloration, which may indicate high gas pressure or restricted airflow. Maintain gas supply pressure at 6–7″ W.C. for natural gas or 11–14″ W.C. for propane. Test flame rollout and high-limit safety switches annually. Keep heaters away from chlorinated or acid vapors, which will rapidly damage the heat exchanger.

Irrigation & Solenoid Valves Inspect and flush main system filters weekly. Check spray pattern uniformity regularly and replace any nozzles with damaged pins. Verify check valves are stopping water flow immediately after shutdown. Inspect diaphragms and valve housings for leaks annually. Test manual override levers for emergency operations annually. Note that replacement parts often have long lead times — inspect all components at the end of each season.

Computer Controls Back up the system monthly and always before software updates. Clean weather station sensors quarterly and inspect storm damage after major weather events. Calibrate pH and EC sensors weekly to monthly if equipped. Verify that critical environmental override settings — especially roof vent wind and rain closures — have not been changed each quarter. Use the operator app for real-time monitoring and remote adjustments. Manual overrides take priority over automated control — always release overrides after maintenance.