Single-zone environmental control for commercial cultivation — lighting, climate, and CO2 from one hub.
The TrolMaster Hydro-X (HCS-1) is a professional-grade, single-zone environmental control system built for commercial cultivation. It ships with a 3-in-1 Temp / Humidity / Photocell sensor, an RJ12 cable set, and connects to the free TrolMaster app for remote monitoring and alerting from any location.
The TrolMaster Hydro-X (HCS-1) is the central controller — the brain — of TrolMaster's Hydro-X modular environmental system. It is a professional-grade, single-zone platform designed to consolidate lighting, temperature, humidity, and CO2 management into one wired, hard-wired system. The HCS-1 ships complete with the 3-in-1 MBS-TH sensor (temperature, humidity, and photocell day/night detection), a 4-ft and 16-ft RJ12 cable, a T-splitter, and a 12V DC power supply — everything needed to commission the base system on day one.
Control input is handled two ways: six front-panel buttons with an LCD backlit display for on-site adjustments, or the free TrolMaster smartphone app for remote access. The app supports real-time monitoring, setpoint changes, push-notification alerts, and historical data graphs. A micro-SD port on the unit also allows local data logging when internet connectivity is unavailable — a useful fallback for facilities with unreliable network infrastructure.
The HCS-1 is purpose-built for licensed cannabis and hemp cultivation facilities running a single grow zone that needs reliable, centralized environmental automation. It fits squarely into build-outs where the operator needs wired, interference-resistant control — not Wi-Fi-dependent wireless sensors — and wants a platform that can grow with the facility through module additions rather than requiring a full controller swap.
It is also a practical entry point for operators stepping up from manual thermostat and timer setups. The modular architecture means you commission the base HCS-1 now and add CO2 device stations, additional temperature or humidity stations, smoke detectors, water leak sensors, or PAR sensors as the build matures. Facilities that require web-based scheduling, more than 4 temperature device stations, or multi-zone control should evaluate the Hydro-X Plus (HCS-3) or Hydro-X Pro instead.
Lighting control is a core strength of the HCS-1. Two independent lighting control channels allow the controller to manage two separate lighting systems simultaneously — for example, a veg side and a flower side on independent schedules. Each digital channel supports up to 256 fixtures (512 total across both lines). For analog 0–10V lights, up to 40 ballasts per line (80 total) are supported via a compatible lighting control adapter. Advanced lighting functions include auto-dimming, overheat shutdown, and sunrise/sunset simulation.
Climate and gas control rounds out the platform. The system supports up to 4 temperature device stations, 2 humidity device stations, and 2 CO2 device stations, allowing connection to HVAC systems, mini-split air conditioners, commercial dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and CO2 generators or regulators. Up to 9 programmable timer device stations handle auxiliary equipment. All sensors and device stations connect via standard RJ12 cables and Y-splitters in a daisy-chain topology — plug-and-play installation with no custom wiring required. Maximum cable run from the HCS-1 to any connected device is 300 meters (approximately 1,000 feet), which covers most single-facility floor plans.
In a typical commercial cannabis or hemp room, the HCS-1 mounts to a wall via its included DIN-type bracket and serves as the single point of truth for environmental setpoints. The 3-in-1 sensor hangs in the canopy zone, feeding real-time temperature, humidity, and day/night light status back to the controller. Lighting adapters (sold separately, LMA series) bridge the HCS-1 to whichever fixture brand is in the room — LED, HPS, or CMH. Temperature and humidity device stations connect to the HVAC and dehumidification equipment via their respective ports.
The hard-wired RJ12 bus eliminates the RF interference issues common in facilities running high-power LEDs or HID lighting alongside wireless sensors. For facilities that want to step up to web-based programming, unlimited scheduling, or multi-zone control, TrolMaster's Hydro-X Plus and Hydro-X Pro controllers share the same module ecosystem — meaning device stations purchased for the HCS-1 are compatible with an upgraded controller. The HCS-1 carries a three-year warranty on mechanical and electronic components under normal operating conditions.
| SKU | HCS-1 |
| Input Voltage | 100–240VAC, 50/60Hz |
| Certifications | ETL, FCC |
| Ingress Protection | IP20 |
| Max Lights (Digital Signal) | 256 per line / 512 total (2 channels) |
| Max Lights (Analog 0–10V) | 40 per line / 80 total |
| Max Temperature Device Stations | 4 |
| Max Humidity Device Stations | 2 |
| Max CO2 Device Stations | 2 |
| Max Program Device Stations | 9 |
| Max Cable Run to Devices | ~300 m / 1,000 ft |
| Sensor Working Environment | 32–122°F / Humidity ≤90% RH |
The 3-in-1 Temp/Humidity/Photocell sensor (MBS-TH) is included in the box with every HCS-1 purchase, along with the cable set and splitter. You do not need to purchase the sensor separately to get started.
The HCS-1 has two independent lighting control channels. Using digital signal control (e.g., compatible digital ballasts or LED drivers), each channel supports up to 256 fixtures — 512 fixtures total. For analog 0–10V fixtures, the limit is 40 ballasts per line (80 total), and a compatible LMA-series lighting adapter is required.
The HCS-1 can control HVAC systems, mini-split air conditioners, commercial dehumidifiers, humidifiers, and CO2 generators or regulators using the appropriate device station modules (sold separately). It supports up to 4 temperature device stations, 2 humidity device stations, and 2 CO2 device stations per controller.
The HCS-1 is designed to work with most major grow light brands. TrolMaster offers an LMA series of lighting control adapters that translate the controller's output signal to the protocol required by LED, HPS, CMH/CDL, and fluorescent fixtures from a wide range of manufacturers. The correct adapter depends on the fixture's control interface (0–10V, digital, PWM, etc.).
Yes. When any measured environmental value exceeds your configured setpoint range, the Hydro-X sends a push notification alert through the free TrolMaster app. Optional smoke and water leak detector sensors can also be added to the sensor bus and will trigger additional alerts through the same app.
No. TrolMaster's controllers are not compatible with HughesNet or Viasat satellite internet services at this time. Standard land-based and cellular internet connections are compatible. If your facility lacks reliable internet, the micro-SD port supports local data logging as a fallback.
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