fridge/freezer temp and RF?
Bill Kearney
And are they compatible with other computer RF interfaces (like the weather
units).
Having just had a fridge die I'd like to avoid not knowing about it until
everything nearly reached room temps. A non-automated one would be fine but
if there's an option to get it integrated with HA then I'd like to consider
it.
Thanks,
-Bill
Robert L Bass
>
> Does anyone make a fridge/freezer alarm that uses RF for remote displays?
> And are they compatible with other computer RF interfaces (like the weather
> units).
GRI makes a "ThermStat-1 Programmable Digital Thermal Sensor" that retails for
about $67. The unit mounts outside the freezer, usually to a wall. You'll
need a remote probe (about $15) to place inside the freezer. It has dual form
C outputs which you could connect to any RF transmitter you want. Linear, for
example, makes inexpensive transmitters and receivers.
I sell the above stuff online. So do a few hundred other online stores.
Another alternative, which I don't sell, is the "Chaney 00985 Wireless
Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer", which may be more handy in your
situation since the RF component is included in the package. There are lots
of online stores selling that one.
--
Regards,
Robert L Bass
==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
DIY Alarm and Home Automation Store
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Service 941-870-2310
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>
Charles Sullivan
The Oregon Scientific THC138 wireless thermometer (~$20) has its sensor
on a 10 ft cable and would be an economical solution if your HA system
already includes receiving RF from Oregon sensors.
Bill Kearney
> on a 10 ft cable and would be an economical solution if your HA system
> already includes receiving RF from Oregon sensors.
It would appear they're discontinuing the THC138. That and something about
protocol version incompatibilities?
Ideally I'd like to get something that had an alarm triggered by a settable
temperature level. As in, squeal like a stuck pig when the fridge or
freezer rises about a given temp. I've learned to appreciate the ability of
using automation along with standalone systems. Too much dependence on a
central computer is the bane of many an automation setup.
-Bill
Robert L Bass
news:HtednWG1PKYef1TX...@speakeasy.net...
You might want to consider Winland's wireless monitoring system. They call it
"EnviroAlert EA800." It uses wired and/or wireless sensors to trigger a
programmable base station. The base station has an audible alarm plus relay
outputs which can be connected to your HA system. We carry Winland's products
so I may be a bit biased in their favor, but they have been pretty reliable
over the years. I don't recall ever having a warranty issue. We've sold a
fair number of their hard-wired monitoring systems though I have not dealt
with the wireless model yet. Here's a link.
http://www.winland.com/products/EA800/EA800.htm
Robert L Bass
news:d7SdnW-EW4AihlfX...@giganews.com...
> "Bill Kearney" <wkear...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:HtednWG1PKYef1TX...@speakeasy.net...
>>> The Oregon Scientific THC138 wireless thermometer (~$20) has its sensor
>>> on a 10 ft cable and would be an economical solution if your HA system
>>> already includes receiving RF from Oregon sensors.
>>
>> It would appear they're discontinuing the THC138. That and something about
>> protocol version incompatibilities?
>>
>> Ideally I'd like to get something that had an alarm triggered by a settable
>> temperature level. As in, squeal like a stuck pig when the fridge or
>> freezer rises about a given temp. I've learned to appreciate the ability
>> of using automation along with standalone systems. Too much dependence on
>> a central computer is the bane of many an automation setup.
>
> You might want to consider Winland's wireless monitoring system. They call
> it "EnviroAlert EA800." It uses wired and/or wireless sensors to trigger a
> programmable base station. The base station has an audible alarm plus relay
> outputs which can be connected to your HA system. We carry Winland's
> products so I may be a bit biased in their favor, but they have been pretty
> reliable over the years. I don't recall ever having a warranty issue.
> We've sold a fair number of their hard-wired monitoring systems though I
> have not dealt with the wireless model yet. Here's a link.
I meant to also include a link to the product on my website along with the
manufacturer's page. Here it is in case you're interested.
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com/product_322095_detailed.htm?pSearchQueryId=10587
Bill Kearney
> for about $67. The unit mounts outside the freezer, usually to a wall.
> You'll need a remote probe (about $15) to place inside the freezer.
Yes, that does look like an interesting solution. It's listed as being
able to monitor up to four sensors and also water and door contacts. So is
that four sensors total (a mix of temp and the water/door) or 4 temp and
also one water and one door? I've been thinking of putting a floor water
sensor in that area also.
> It has dual form C outputs which you could connect to any RF transmitter
> you want. Linear, for example, makes inexpensive transmitters and
> receivers.
Which systems work with the "least hassle" with PC automation solutions?
> Another alternative, which I don't sell, is the "Chaney 00985 Wireless
> Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer", which may be more handy in your
> situation since the RF component is included in the package. There are
> lots of online stores selling that one.
Do you know if it's RF data can be monitored from a PC? Or more
importantly, is there an existing PC solution that's known to do it, not an
assemblage of hacks (I have enough of THOSE already).
-Bill
Robert L Bass
>
> Which systems work with the "least hassle" with PC automation solutions?
After thinking about it a bit I remembered there's a more complete solution
from Winland. I've used a lot of their wired sensors over the years. The RF
kit looks to be suitable. I posted about it in this thread. It's called
EnviroAlert EA800. It can handle 4 wirted plus 4 RF sensors. You can mix
temperature, humidity, flood, pressure and waterflow sensors. This is
Winland's flagship model. It's a little pricey though so you might still want
to loook at the others. Here's link to my page on the EA800. I listed the
various accessories at the bottom of the page:
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com/product_322095_detailed.htm?pSearchQueryId=10697
>> Another alternative, which I don't sell, is the "Chaney 00985 Wireless
>> Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer", which may be more handy in your
>> situation since the RF component is included in the package. There are
>> lots of online stores selling that one.
>
> Do you know if it's RF data can be monitored from a PC? Or more
> importantly, is there an existing PC solution that's known to do it, not an
> assemblage of hacks (I have enough of THOSE already).
You can't read the temperature directly into your PC from the Chaney unit of
the Winland. With either one you set kimits and connect form "C" outputs to
your HA system. I found the Chaney unit online. I don't carry the line so
I'm not up on the specs. Here's what a competitor's store says about it:
"The Chaney 00985 Wireless Refrigerator and Freezer Thermometer is a compact
digital thermometer that helps you safeguard your food investment with
programmable temperature alarms for both fridge and freezer. The 00985
displays current refrigerator and freezer temperatures in big, bold digits and
recorded minimum and maximum temperatures in smaller digits. You can select �C
or �F for displayed temperatures. When temperatures fall below preset minimum
values or exceed preset maximum values, the 00985 activates both audible and
visible alarms so that you are informed and can take appropriate action. This
digital thermometer comes with two wireless remote temperature sensors. The
remote numbered 1 is for the refrigerator, and the remote numbered 2 is for
the freezer."
Following is a link to their store. I don't know them -- they may be great
folks or not, so due dilligence:
http://www.partshelf.com/ci00985.html
Hope that helps.
Robert L Bass
>
> Do you know if it's RF data can be monitored from a PC? Or more
> importantly, is there an existing PC solution that's known to do it, not an
> assemblage of hacks (I have enough of THOSE already).
BTW, I didn't bring up the ELK M1G because I know you've already got a system
of your own but for the sake of other readers I'd like to mention it. The ELK
Peoducts M1G has both digital and analog inputs. Any of the inputs (it comes
with 16 on board and can expand to over 200 zones) can work with standard
burglary sensors or 0-10 Volt analog.
Bill Kearney
> compact digital thermometer that helps you safeguard your food investment
> with programmable temperature alarms for both fridge and freezer. The
> 00985 displays current refrigerator and freezer temperatures in big, bold
> digits and recorded minimum and maximum temperatures in smaller digits.
> You can select �C or �F for displayed temperatures. When temperatures fall
> below preset minimum values or exceed preset maximum values, the 00985
> activates both audible and visible alarms so that you are informed and can
> take appropriate action. This digital thermometer comes with two wireless
> remote temperature sensors. The remote numbered 1 is for the refrigerator,
> and the remote numbered 2 is for the freezer."
I picked up one of these cheap off fleabay and it's just ok. I went with
this because the RF sensors don't require running a wire out of the enclosed
fridge. The audible portion of the alarm is pretty weak. That and the RF
range isn't very far, granted in my 50's era faraday cage-like house nothing
RF works at anything close to it's claimed distance. The reviews on Amazon
state it's best to use lithium cells for the freezer unit. I've only got
alkalines in there now, we'll see how long they last.
At some point I want to get better environmental sensing integrated with HA
stuff. But it's such a hodge-podge of incompatiblities that I'm in no
hurry.
-Bill