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Author Topic: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...  (Read 37539 times)

pconroy

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My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« on: June 29, 2010, 07:01:35 PM »

Well, relatively inexpensive.  :)

I bought two of these devices: http://cgi.ebay.com/PC-Notebook-Laptop-USB-Thermometer-Temperature-Recorder-/250388256032?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a4c4d9520#ht_3619wt_910


One USB based and one that has a USB/RS232 chip embedded in it: http://www.pcsensor.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=28


I found the RS232 device incredibly easy to program; the USB device required a little Googling to get it running on Linux.   

I've got one monitoring a room temp on the first floor, pretty conventional usage.


The other one, I think I got a little creative with -- I used a USB extension cord and ran it up to some HVAC ductwork that passed right by my server room.  I just wedged the sensor into the ductwork and have it check the temps every 2 mins.  This is the way I'm watching my furnace (in the winter, central A/C in the summer) cycle.

I write all the readings to a database and have been using them to guesstimate the effectiveness of some of the lifestyle changes we're putting in place.


 Just thought I'd pass that along!
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Brian H

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2010, 07:35:06 PM »

Thanks for sharing your find and how you are using it.  >!
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HA Dave

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« Last Edit: June 30, 2010, 12:38:04 PM by Dave_x10_L »
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Oldtimer

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2010, 07:53:24 AM »

Nice gadget!  Thanks for sharing.
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Charles Sullivan

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2010, 09:28:06 AM »


pconroy:
If you like, you can feed the temperature data into Heyu with the emulation module type ORE_TEMU.

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pconroy

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2010, 02:02:48 PM »

Charles..

Cool - I didn't know that?!?!?

Thanks!
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Charles Sullivan

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2010, 08:53:33 PM »

Charles..

Cool - I didn't know that?!?!?

Thanks!

See section OREGON SENSOR EMULATION in man page x10oregon(5) for details.

Why not repost your message on the heyu_users forum (perhaps with some details about configuring the USB device).  I'm sure the folks there will appreciate it.
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jlp

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2010, 07:02:08 PM »

With visual basic 2008 express it is possible to send signals X10 based temperature setpoints. I am currently designing an application to control my air conditioner.

 
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oeginc

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2010, 07:39:53 AM »

Just a suggestion, make sure the USB extension is a plenum cable or you could run into trouble.  Non-plenum cables are not intended to run in any space designed for breathable air-flow (Ie: HVAC duct work, return air vents, etc).
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pconroy

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2010, 12:09:16 PM »

Good advice!

In my case, the sensor is on the outside of the duct and is never in the airstream but that's an important warning!
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kameron

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2010, 09:09:01 PM »

Very CooL!!. Thankz For Info!!
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Mellowmark

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2010, 10:27:43 AM »

The plenum rating is for safty if there is a fire, it will not produce harmfull smoke.
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M M ElectricMan

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Re: My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2012, 01:28:58 AM »

How did you run the first sensor? How long was the USB run? I have my server in my office but would like sensors like this in more appropriate spots. I'm worried that using multiple extension cables will cause too much resistance. Thanks.
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