My inexpensive approach to temperature monitoring...

Started by pconroy, June 29, 2010, 07:01:35 PM

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pconroy

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!

Brian H

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

HA Dave

Home Automation is an always changing technology

Oldtimer

Having "fun" with X-10 since 1980.

Charles Sullivan


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

Yesterday it worked.
Today it doesn't work.
X10 on Windows is like that.

HEYU - X10 Automation for Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X     http://www.heyu.org

pconroy


Charles Sullivan

Quote from: pconroy on July 01, 2010, 02:02:48 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.
Yesterday it worked.
Today it doesn't work.
X10 on Windows is like that.

HEYU - X10 Automation for Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X     http://www.heyu.org

jlp

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.


Imagination is the most powerful graphics card there is.

oeginc

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).

pconroy

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!


Mellowmark

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

shake

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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