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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 18:27 - 24 Nov 2021    Post subject: Looking for temperature monitor/alarms Reply with quote

BCF being the font of all knowledge and since people in the industry I've asked are only interested in selling me hugely expensive wireless data loggers systems which aren't suitable for this application anyway.

I'm looking for a max/min temperature alarm. So if the temperature in a zone exceeds preset maximum or minimum levels, it sets off an audible alarm.

That bit's easy. The tricky bit is it should be a "latching" alarm. Once the temperature zone has been exceeded, the alarm should remain active until reset even if the temperature returns to normal parameters.

So for example, if a fridge goes over temperature overnight then returns to normal, the alarm will still be sounding in the morning.

I have a total of 24 temperature zones to monitor, some refrigerated, some ambient. 13 of them are mobile and so are not within range of a wireless network which rules out networked data loggers. All are equipped with "blind" data loggers but I need to know quickly if the temperature range has been exceeded so the goods in that area can be quarantined and the data loggers downloaded to see how big a problem we have.

Currently, to comply with regulations, I need to either have an alarm or someone has to go round every morning recording the readings on a max/min thermometer at each location. An alarm would be better!
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 19:07 - 24 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like a good micro controller project.
There are tons of various ones about and don't keep up to date on them all, but as I have one on the shelf
Something like the Arduino Mega with its 54 digital and 16 analog
I/O pins comes to mind.

In its simplest form
I reckon the code would be fairly straight forward non time sensitive loops constantly (hopefully) doing little until thresholds are exceeded or not met then responding to that with a
Police

Of course if you want more bells and whistles you can upgrade to add all manner of geekery
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GettinBetter
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Joined: 20 Jun 2019
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PostPosted: 19:54 - 24 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

That sounds just like my current project. Have you found one yet, if not, how patient are you?

My nephew requires a thermocouple attached to a processor for alarms along the lines you mention, but his is a marine application...and I agreed to do it.
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The Artist
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PostPosted: 19:58 - 24 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

This https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393110444436?hash=item5b87355994:g:eu8AAOSwnbxgEH1v

plus this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162905578048?hash=item25ededda40:g:SskAAOSwi4lahzQe
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 20:03 - 24 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

It would do it, assuming I had time to make 24 arduino based temperature monitors.

I'm thinking more along the lines of throw money at the problem until a box of stuff arrives in the post that makes it goes away.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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GettinBetter
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PostPosted: 21:25 - 24 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

stinkwheel wrote:
...I'm thinking more along the lines of throw money at the problem until a box of stuff arrives in the post that makes it goes away.



Ha ha me too, so just ordered one of these to play with
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334001869328?hash=item4dc4101210:g:rNIAAOSwNepcG3ij & thanks for the links 'The Artist', that made provoked me into putting a bit more effort into my search.

..and a project enclosure to put it in. Not perfect but will allow us to progress the project and collect so data, albeit manually. But it has got an alarm I can set, with a warning buzzer. No warning leds, but I may be able to put one in parallel with the buzzer?
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WD Forte
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Joined: 17 Jun 2010
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PostPosted: 23:35 - 24 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

13 mobile, 11 fixed then?
13 seperate mobile units? fridges?
as you already have data loggers and only want to be aware of fault conditions
no need to reinvent the wheel

My first thought would be to scour ali baba etc and buy cheap from china and
if not exactly what I need hack it to suit my needs

failing that

Arduino Nano comes to mind
less then £3 each bought in bulk
tmp36 linear output temp sensors £2 each
they're said to be 1-2% accurate and worked well for me
3 leds to indicate power on and over/under fault conditions
a push button reset switch 50p
psu for each which can be as simple as a 7805 for mobile ( 12v/24V) use
5v ( mobile phone ) wall wart for indoors
hardware components cable enclosures and stuff.

the code would be broadly the same however many you build
just the fridge ones would react to a lower output voltage range
then the ambient ones
I've built similar for bike temp gauges and stuff

13 seperate mobile ones would be 12 micros
fixed ones if in the same locale could possibly be monitord one micro
with code changes but low voltages on long cable runs would be prone to signal voltage drops
( ie read lower than actual)
so would need test and experiment to calibrate

usual practice is to build, test, tinker, refine until it meets requirements
then rinse and repeat
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 00:41 - 25 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

WD Forte wrote:
13 mobile, 11 fixed then?
13 seperate mobile units? fridges?
as you already have data loggers and only want to be aware of fault conditions
no need to reinvent the wheel


The mobile ones are basically boxes in the boots of cars used to store ambient temperature pharmaceuticals. The fixed ones are a mixture of fridges and storerooms.

I was really hoping someone knew of an off the shelf solution. There are really simple and cheap max/min thermometers with alarms on, it's just the alarm resets when the temperature is back in range so if you aren't there to hear it go off, you don't know anything's been wrong.

I'm now wondering if the wireless data loggers need a constant connection or will update when in range. I'll have a wander round the carpark and see how far out the signal gets.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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WD Forte
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PostPosted: 01:57 - 25 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

I understand, I've often thought about knocking up abgadget then
seeing some Chinese made thing on ebay that makes diy a wast tiem and money

this thing might be with a punt

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124436558685?epid=2177020679&hash=item1cf8ff335d:g:jMMAAOSwvkRhbX3P

or these two

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125008871394?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110002%26algo%3DSPLICE.SOI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D235467%26meid%3D3684b148d2964d27ab488aa374819f1f%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D124436558685%26itm%3D125008871394%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DPromotedSellersOtherItemsV2WithMLRv3%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101196.m2219&amdata=cksum%3A1250088713943684b148d2964d27ab488aa374819f1f%7Cenc%3AAQAGAAACECxaCUioHjFqE026RF5jIjfaOIbSRumTpGRmgrUBLFFXjfnHIa5AFZLDq0h1r3DZLVLjG%252ByYRxkhbZlp2XTfnkxENmYA0IbaWFhYTiUQch%252BmswQ7kycWmXwITSo4TdFEBG09RUzMx4CNmrkZRDWgGdcUVX212FUUe0eFI9n7MyhnO%252BwjJaMVoyApJAzMMrcjAxw7xtL2Vy5c41qr7Q%252BMOhar3D7lmtmc90YBkNQvOXdIXwuk18MhstZYeczh2C4L5AYxC5EE3yqrf9Rm1ZxohljqaFxvtXhW6IeBZVg%252Ba3gk%252BiyAVz%252FGbhNe3Cr1Qw2BvIfM91eC%252Fu4XCqCBzl2kOCuXm3BQVRtSCipLMKzfnhMssKKWmQ1%252FxSSe7tj%252FLba026t4F9ywxnmBUkvmF9UOqj2rh9IBz9xfLXzvI1kOBdgkHFolwU0%252F0U1DDfEu5W5J5PmFVtVsoGGKU%252BStorCimosTJ6fgfiHjOadrjiea2dhdAGJ7bg%252BRRPyXBE0dc5yzU1%252Bpt4S7Fx2onfXs2f8SXJj6TP%252FMZTCI88rFzWGCr0pT1V9YVlGQ5hrSGKSYD0wV4ZDA%252Bs4UldKw6Bg%252BKvCRB7XoDmagUoLuN3hYBvDcPt55vdri9EGDSm7lJTe0FIQdaHbElBKGgiFdQES8HEu4%252BO0cdNU3DYO1JjhdcE4CMRmDzj1M6Qx0k7mF856AjGqIAw%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675


Blurb:

Digital fridge or freezer thermometer with warning alarm and max min thermometer feature with 1.2m probe cable. Suitable for measuring temperatures in a fridge or freezer (with the probe) and room temperature from the main unit. A warning alarm can be set to alert for any major temperature fluctuations. Maximum and minimum temperatures can be recorded for monitoring deviation in temperature.
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Tarmacsurfer
World Chat Champion



Joined: 29 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: 15:36 - 25 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

Depends how much money you want to throw.

A basic home automation hub (Hubitat for example) would handle it easily, zigbee thermometer in each zone being monitored by the hub. ~£100 for the hub, ~£10-£20 for each sensor depending on model. I'd go with Sonoff temp/humidity at around £12 on Amazon for speed, cost less on Aliexpress if you can wait.

I'm running a multi-sensor in the missus's greenhouse for example, warns us if the door is left open of an evening and watches/logs the temps as well - I've set up a warning to her phone if temps are predicted to be sub zero of an evening so she can do stuff (yes, it baffles me as well) and also tells us in the morning what the lowest temp was overnight. That could very easily be rolled out across multiple instances or adapted to monitor fridge doors and warn if a freezer was open and temp gradient climbing.

A little bit of arseache to configure but not hugely complex, you're far from stupid so it's going to just be a case of learning something rather than "difficult".
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stinkwheel
Bovine Proctologist



Joined: 12 Jul 2004
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PostPosted: 19:38 - 25 Nov 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote

WD Forte wrote:
I understand, I've often thought about knocking up abgadget then
seeing some Chinese made thing on ebay that makes diy a wast tiem and money

this thing might be with a punt

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/124436558685?epid=2177020679&hash=item1cf8ff335d:g:jMMAAOSwvkRhbX3P

or these two

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125008871394?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110002%26algo%3DSPLICE.SOI%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D235467%26meid%3D3684b148d2964d27ab488aa374819f1f%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D124436558685%26itm%3D125008871394%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DPromotedSellersOtherItemsV2WithMLRv3%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c101196.m2219&amdata=cksum%3A1250088713943684b148d2964d27ab488aa374819f1f%7Cenc%3AAQAGAAACECxaCUioHjFqE026RF5jIjfaOIbSRumTpGRmgrUBLFFXjfnHIa5AFZLDq0h1r3DZLVLjG%252ByYRxkhbZlp2XTfnkxENmYA0IbaWFhYTiUQch%252BmswQ7kycWmXwITSo4TdFEBG09RUzMx4CNmrkZRDWgGdcUVX212FUUe0eFI9n7MyhnO%252BwjJaMVoyApJAzMMrcjAxw7xtL2Vy5c41qr7Q%252BMOhar3D7lmtmc90YBkNQvOXdIXwuk18MhstZYeczh2C4L5AYxC5EE3yqrf9Rm1ZxohljqaFxvtXhW6IeBZVg%252Ba3gk%252BiyAVz%252FGbhNe3Cr1Qw2BvIfM91eC%252Fu4XCqCBzl2kOCuXm3BQVRtSCipLMKzfnhMssKKWmQ1%252FxSSe7tj%252FLba026t4F9ywxnmBUkvmF9UOqj2rh9IBz9xfLXzvI1kOBdgkHFolwU0%252F0U1DDfEu5W5J5PmFVtVsoGGKU%252BStorCimosTJ6fgfiHjOadrjiea2dhdAGJ7bg%252BRRPyXBE0dc5yzU1%252Bpt4S7Fx2onfXs2f8SXJj6TP%252FMZTCI88rFzWGCr0pT1V9YVlGQ5hrSGKSYD0wV4ZDA%252Bs4UldKw6Bg%252BKvCRB7XoDmagUoLuN3hYBvDcPt55vdri9EGDSm7lJTe0FIQdaHbElBKGgiFdQES8HEu4%252BO0cdNU3DYO1JjhdcE4CMRmDzj1M6Qx0k7mF856AjGqIAw%253D%253D%7Campid%3APL_CLK%7Cclp%3A2047675


Blurb:

Digital fridge or freezer thermometer with warning alarm and max min thermometer feature with 1.2m probe cable. Suitable for measuring temperatures in a fridge or freezer (with the probe) and room temperature from the main unit. A warning alarm can be set to alert for any major temperature fluctuations. Maximum and minimum temperatures can be recorded for monitoring deviation in temperature.


Aye, the trouble with those is the alarm turns itself off again when the temperature goes back to normal so you're left with physically checking (and recording you have checked) the max-min every day.

Tarmacsurfer wrote:

Depends how much money you want to throw.

A basic home automation hub (Hubitat for example) would handle it easily, zigbee thermometer in each zone being monitored by the hub. ~£100 for the hub, ~£10-£20 for each sensor depending on model. I'd go with Sonoff temp/humidity at around £12 on Amazon for speed, cost less on Aliexpress if you can wait.


Now that might do it. Will look into it.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.
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