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Have a friend that lost a large flower room because a breaker went bad for cooling equipment and cooked everything dead in a couple of hours and reached over 150 degrees. Painful. Breaker had to be replaced and problem solved, but wants to ensure this never happens ever again.
What are options for automation or more importantly monitoring? He is looking for something RELIABLE that can monitor temp and ideally also lighting and motion (in case an overhead light bulb gets left on during a dark period, and motion detectors for break ins) and send a TEXT MESSAGE to alert immediately. Flood detection, fire detection would also be great. Dont need automation - timers and thermostats etc are already in place, just need RELIABLE monitoring and immediate notification in case of systems failure.
Have researched:
- Growtronix. Made for growrooms, monitors and can control temp, light, motion, smoke, flood, humidity and more. Requires computer and wiring. System fails if computer restarts/fails, some problems with digital ballasts. $800-1200 depending on # sensors and config. http://growtronix.com/store/
- Zwave. Made for smart home automation, with many many functions although not packaged together just for grow application. Wireless 802.11 connections, no need for wires, each device acts as a repeater. Base unit $300 looks like a router, looks like everything stays functioning even in event of a power outage (may want a UPS for added backup). $80 multisensor for temp/light/motion with text and email alerts. Not sure of reliability of sensors or base unit software. Could also run automation for just about anything. http://www.technologygarden.net/ind...ndoor-grow-room-using-z-wave-home-automation/
- Intelliclimate. Made for grow room control. Requires separate computer for text alerts (system fails if computer fails. Dont want to trust it all to windows). $2000+
- Greenhouse controllers. Various manufacturers, generally $1,500-500,000(!). Appear to be very stable, weatherproof, lots of variables, fairly expensive. Perhaps considered affordable in the face of the alternative. Some examples:
http://www.growerssupply.com/farm/supplies/cat1;gs_thermostats_controllers;gs_alarms_monitors.html
- DIY Phidgets/linux. Lot of potential, seems like too much testing, development, work, unknown stability. http://peterphrastus.com/drupal/
- Simple weatherstation thermometer units. units transmit wirelessly from sensor to base unit, base unit can send text message alerts for TEMP monitoring only - text alerts free for first year then / year. Wireless transmission distance is limited, not sure of frequency of sensor reading updates or reliability of system. http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Tec...6EU4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334565862&sr=8-2
- Looks like server rooms need monitoring of this type, stumbled upon this, but dont know where to start and not sure they would stand up to grow room conditions: http://www.itwatchdogs.com/
Some other possible options:
http://www.3gtrack.com/
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/535639244/Multi_Temperature_SMS_Alert_Controller.html
http://www.amazon.com/Temperature-lert-TM-WIFI220-WiFi-Edition/dp/B002YKU2Q6/ref=pd_sbs_hg_6
Have heard that some home security and some IP/webcam units can monitor temps and send text alerts, but havent found any specific units to look at.
What are those out there with large warehouses using to monitor and prevent systems failure?
Any personal experience to share on the above systems or ideas for other monitoring/automation systems would be appreciated!
What are options for automation or more importantly monitoring? He is looking for something RELIABLE that can monitor temp and ideally also lighting and motion (in case an overhead light bulb gets left on during a dark period, and motion detectors for break ins) and send a TEXT MESSAGE to alert immediately. Flood detection, fire detection would also be great. Dont need automation - timers and thermostats etc are already in place, just need RELIABLE monitoring and immediate notification in case of systems failure.
Have researched:
- Growtronix. Made for growrooms, monitors and can control temp, light, motion, smoke, flood, humidity and more. Requires computer and wiring. System fails if computer restarts/fails, some problems with digital ballasts. $800-1200 depending on # sensors and config. http://growtronix.com/store/
- Zwave. Made for smart home automation, with many many functions although not packaged together just for grow application. Wireless 802.11 connections, no need for wires, each device acts as a repeater. Base unit $300 looks like a router, looks like everything stays functioning even in event of a power outage (may want a UPS for added backup). $80 multisensor for temp/light/motion with text and email alerts. Not sure of reliability of sensors or base unit software. Could also run automation for just about anything. http://www.technologygarden.net/ind...ndoor-grow-room-using-z-wave-home-automation/
- Intelliclimate. Made for grow room control. Requires separate computer for text alerts (system fails if computer fails. Dont want to trust it all to windows). $2000+
- Greenhouse controllers. Various manufacturers, generally $1,500-500,000(!). Appear to be very stable, weatherproof, lots of variables, fairly expensive. Perhaps considered affordable in the face of the alternative. Some examples:
http://www.growerssupply.com/farm/supplies/cat1;gs_thermostats_controllers;gs_alarms_monitors.html
- DIY Phidgets/linux. Lot of potential, seems like too much testing, development, work, unknown stability. http://peterphrastus.com/drupal/
- Simple weatherstation thermometer units. units transmit wirelessly from sensor to base unit, base unit can send text message alerts for TEMP monitoring only - text alerts free for first year then / year. Wireless transmission distance is limited, not sure of frequency of sensor reading updates or reliability of system. http://www.amazon.com/La-Crosse-Tec...6EU4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1334565862&sr=8-2
- Looks like server rooms need monitoring of this type, stumbled upon this, but dont know where to start and not sure they would stand up to grow room conditions: http://www.itwatchdogs.com/
Some other possible options:
http://www.3gtrack.com/
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/535639244/Multi_Temperature_SMS_Alert_Controller.html
http://www.amazon.com/Temperature-lert-TM-WIFI220-WiFi-Edition/dp/B002YKU2Q6/ref=pd_sbs_hg_6
Have heard that some home security and some IP/webcam units can monitor temps and send text alerts, but havent found any specific units to look at.
What are those out there with large warehouses using to monitor and prevent systems failure?
Any personal experience to share on the above systems or ideas for other monitoring/automation systems would be appreciated!