How to monitor a freezer

[jmed999]

I'm wondering how I could monitor a freezer's temp.  I would like to get an e-mail if it goes above a certain temp.  Do you guys know a way to do this?

 

Thanks!

[Teken]

1 Wire temperature monitoring.

 

 

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[stusviews]

http://www.dataloggerinc.com/categories/Refrigerator_and_Freezer_Monitoring_Systems/54/

[Jimbo.Automates]

I'm using this http://www.smarthome.com/i-o-linc-insteon-freezer-failure-sensor-kit.html It doesn't monitor temperature, just notifies me if above 39 degrees.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[jmac]

I use the MINOTAUR ENGINEERING IFD1 PRECISION FREEZE DETECTOR as sold here at SmartHome. Assume it's working, as I have had no alarms. Routed the sensor wire through the drain line in bottom of freezer, as routing out side of door prevented a good door seal.

Did get warning (program) when I defrosted the freezer.

[MWareman]

I have some of these: http://wirelesstag.net and I push temp and humidity into ISY state variables with a Kumoapp.

 

Edit: This thread contains the details. http://forum.universal-devices.com/index.php?/topic/8818-CAO-sensors-support&do=findComment&comment=114886

 

I have three in my fridge/freezer in the kitchen (three zones), and one in my chest freezer. Additional sensors on each floor and outside. All have worked well for several months now, reporting temp and humidity to ISY every 15 mins.

[Teken]

I have some of these: http://wirelesstag.net and I push temp and humidity into ISY state variables with a Kumoapp.

 

Edit: This thread contains the details. http://forum.universal-devices.com/index.php?/topic/8818-CAO-sensors-support&do=findComment&comment=114886

 

I have three in my fridge/freezer in the kitchen (three zones), and one in my chest freezer. Additional sensors on each floor and outside. All have worked well for several months now, reporting temp and humidity to ISY every 15 mins.

 

Michael,

 

Do you happen to have their newest high quality temp / humidity sensor? I have been farting around trying to decide to go with one solution or another. The only thing that stops me from using most of these solutions I see is the lack of accuracy for humidity.

 

I have seen this in the Science what ever, Aeotec Multi Sensor, Insteon TSTAT (wireless), etc. Another aspect is that I already have a very extensive 1 wire temperature network deployed in my home. Plus, I don't have to worry about long term battery changes or signal drop outs since they are all hardwired.

 

Lastly, the initial cost for the four humidity sensor will cost me about $150.XX.

 

Insight

[ISYhbsh01]

I have some of these: http://wirelesstag.net and I push temp and humidity into ISY state variables with a Kumoapp.

 

Edit: This thread contains the details. http://forum.universal-devices.com/index.php?/topic/8818-CAO-sensors-support&do=findComment&comment=114886

 

I have three in my fridge/freezer in the kitchen (three zones), and one in my chest freezer. Additional sensors on each floor and outside. All have worked well for several months now, reporting temp and humidity to ISY every 15 mins.

Hi MWareman,

 

Are you using the first or 2nd generation tags & tag manager? I bought their first generation product & it was a total disaster. The tag manager constantly dropped off the network, the temperature was highly inaccurate & inconsistent, I was constantly getting messages that the tag is out of range when it wasn't even moved, the android app was very slow & clunky, and finally after a few months of having one tag in my fridge or freezer, I don't remember which, the tag stopped working. One thing that did work accurately & instantly was the motion detection.

 

Back in April I received an email from them apologizing for all the first generation trouble & offering me their 2nd generation "much more reliable system" at about 50% off. I was so fed up that I didn't take the offer. I am wondering if the 2nd generation is indeed working 100% reliably. What's your experience?

 

BTW the first generation tag was $16 if I remember correctly while the current one is $25/$30.

[Teken]

Hi MWareman,

 

Are you using the first or 2nd generation tags & tag manager? I bought their first generation product & it was a total disaster. The tag manager constantly dropped off the network, the temperature was highly inaccurate & inconsistent, I was constantly getting messages that the tag is out of range when it wasn't even moved, the android app was very slow & clunky, and finally after a few months of having one tag in my fridge or freezer, I don't remember which, the tag stopped working. One thing that did work accurately & instantly was the motion detection.

 

Back in April I received an email from them apologizing for all the first generation trouble & offering me their 2nd generation "much more reliable system" at about 50% off. I was so fed up that I didn't take the offer. I am wondering if the 2nd generation is indeed working 100% reliably. What's your experience?

 

BTW the first generation tag was $16 if I remember correctly while the current one is $25/$30.

 

Yes, I noted the price increase was double!

 

This is why I even considered this product because cost per sensor was simply outstanding. But, if the reported values are inaccurate there is no sense in even having them. Considering if they are being used in mission critical areas like fridge, freezers, HVAC, etc.

 

This is why even though it pained me to do this. I ran almost two miles of Ethernet CAT6 cable and hardwired everything into a massive (72) 1 Wire sensor network. The only thing I have pending is a humidity solution but I was just advised by the vendor (alpha support) has been released on a third party 1 Wire temp / humidity sensor.

 

I plan on engaging the 3rd party vendor to confirm they are using the correct IC to make this all happen. If so, I will be in great shape and will be able to integrate this solution into my existing network and have all the readings viewed in one UI and also pushed to the ISY via State Variables with out all the 3rd party hosting like IFTTT.

[MWareman]

I'm using the second generation, after taking advantage of the 50% off. Reliability has been very good now.

As to accuracy of the sensor - I don't have anything to really compare against - sorry. However, the values I'm getting seem reasonable.

 

That being said, with as much of an investment in 1 wire that you have @Teken, I'm not sure it would make sense. Except - if you have a desire to make ISY REST calls in response to IFTTT cloud events then the tag manager can be used to do that for you. On its own, this is a very neat option.

 

Michael.

[Teken]

Yeah, lots of investment on line now regarding the 1 wire. Long term I won't need to worry about batteries or limiting the amount of calls / updates to the system impacting any type of battery life.

 

The biggest problem I had with these little box's is that they would not fair too well in -45'C to +53'C temperature conditions they needed to be.

 

I do envy the whole IFTTT model and the solution it provides to the ISY. I am going to sit on the fence and see what 5.XX brings along with 2015.

 

As some people have whispered in my ear some big things on the way. ️

 

 

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[ISYhbsh01]

I'm using the second generation, after taking advantage of the 50% off. Reliability has been very good now.

As to accuracy of the sensor - I don't have anything to really compare against - sorry. However, the values I'm getting seem reasonable.

 

 

I put my first generation tags on top of a HVAC thermostat & it was quite off.

[MWareman]

You do need to calibrate them. Mine were quite off before I did that. My real question is after calibration, how well do they maintain accuracy as temp and humidity changes. I have no real way of testing that....

[ISYhbsh01]

You do need to calibrate them. Mine were quite off before I did that. My real question is after calibration, how well do they maintain accuracy as temp and humidity changes. I have no real way of testing that....

I did calibrate it. It was still off, and not even by a consistent number.

[Teken]

I did calibrate it. It was still off, and not even by a consistent number.

 

What are we talking about in terms of values? Off by 3-5'F degrees / 4-10% humidity? This is more of a data point for me so any info is great to know.

[ISYhbsh01]

What are we talking about in terms of values? Off by 3-5'F degrees / 4-10% humidity? This is more of a data point for me so any info is great to know.

I don't remember, it was like 2 years ago I think. Also I am talking about the first generation tags. They are claiming that the 2nd generation is more accurate, which I would also love to know if it's true.

[MWareman]

I just compared my v2 tag in the Kitchen to my zwave stat (very open floor plan) - my rev 2 tag seems to track a fairly consistent 1.3-1.8 degrees hotter. I have a IR thermometer - it agrees with the stat. This is at 71 (by the stat).

 

I'll trend the unit outside to see how it reads.

[Teken]

I just compared my v2 tag in the Kitchen to my zwave stat (very open floor plan) - my rev 2 tag seems to track a fairly consistent 1.3-1.8 degrees hotter. I have a IR thermometer - it agrees with the stat. This is at 71 (by the stat).

 

I'll trend the unit outside to see how it reads.

 

For something like that its pretty decent for general purpose, no? Maybe I am just spoiled now because the 1 wire network renders better than +/- 0.2.

 

It can also be embedded into areas of extreme temperatures and water with out me worrying about it dying or melting / freezing.