Fridge / chiller temp alarm

[75]

I have a chiller in an outbuilding and after a close call earlier this week with nearly 200kgs of carcasses, I need to install a temp alarm. I've got a bluetooth logger in there so I have a historical record of temperature but I need something loud that will sound at say 6C. I have mains power but no wifi and poor phone signal so I'd rather go simple rather than rely on anything that is on a phone app. I've tried a couple of fridge thermometers off Amazon but they make a quiet beep a few times every 2 mins and the chances of me hearing that when passing are slim.

Any thoughts because I'm struggling!?

 

[wytonpjs]

Direct to your phone?

4G KP GSM Temperature, Humidity, Power Monitor|1 metre Probe |

4G KP GSM Temperature, Humidity & Power Status Monitor with 1 metre Probe Extension contacts key-holders by SMS & Telephone

www.ultrasecuredirect.com

Ooops - sorry, just read the poor phone signal bit

 

[VSS]

My larder is also separate from my house, and had no WiFi signal, so I've put a home WiFi network box (or whatever it's called) on one of the windowsills in the house, the one that faces out towards my outbuildings. Now my whole yard (including larder) has WiFi, so the chiller alarm comes straight to my phone. So I get it wherever I am, even if away from home.
(Phone signal not great here either, but so far it's worked).

 

[wytonpjs]

I'm thinking that something like this (or even a normal mechanical thermostat) wired up to a 240v external siren should do the job Hope you don't have close neighbours.................​

Alarm Thermostats - EPA Products

Alarm Thermostats - EPA Products |

www.epaproducts.co.uk

​

AS ONL 240V MECHANICAL THERMOSTAT​

• Single Stage Thermostat with Single Pole Change over Contacts
• Simple Installation to back up any alarm system (volt free contacts)
• Temperature Range 0°C – 50°C
• High Temperature Alarm Or Low Temperature Alarm
• Typical Application High Temperature Fail Safe Thermostat

Part No. EPA083

 

[75]

If I knew what I was doing then that would be just the ticket

You'd think it would be a fairly simple thing to find but apparently not (or not for a reasonable price!). I just wouldn't trust a wifi or 4G one here with the ropey signal but I might have to go down the 4G route and put the sender up in the barn roof away from the thickest stone walls!

 

[75]

Hmmm, this might be ok: EnviroTxt Temperature & Power Loss Alert unit (UK)

 

[wytonpjs]

Hmmm, this might be ok: EnviroTxt Temperature & Power Loss Alert unit (UK)

Sadly no external aerial connector that I can see so if you are going to use the 1m probe, I suspect you cannot get more that a couple of feet above your chiller with an extension cable and if the walls are that thick..............

Problem is you'll probably need to buy one to find out If you do, I use 1p Mobile in my quad's tracker - there may be cheaper alternatives though.

 

[Freightdog]

If you can get WiFi out there, then one of these.

If the mains is on the same circuit as your house, then you may be able to get WiFi in there using a power line extension like this. Or getting more complex but more reliable, one of these.

 

[75]

If you do, I use 1p Mobile in my quad's tracker - there may be cheaper alternatives though.

Do you still need to pay monthly or can you buy a SIM with an indefinite life that you top up when all the text allowance is used? I know so little about stuff!!

 

[wytonpjs]

Do you still need to pay monthly or can you buy a SIM with an indefinite life that you top up when all the text allowance is used? I know so little about stuff!!

Their "Flexi" is £40 and you will not be required to top-up any more for the year giving you enough credit for ANY combination of 4000 minutes, 4000 texts or 4000MB (4GB) of data in that year. Ought to be enough...........

UKs cheapest PAYG mobile tariff

1pMobile offers great value with 1p a minute, 1p a text and 1p a MB. Excellent coverage, free SIM and you can keep your existing number.

www.1pmobile.com

 

[75]

If you can get WiFi out there, then one of these.

If the mains is on the same circuit as your house, then you may be able to get WiFi in there using a power line extension like this. Or getting more complex but more reliable, one of these.

I've got a bluetooth Govee one which is good as a logger but it's not proactive. Even when I'm in bluetooth range I have to manually force a refresh in the app. It doesn't actively push notifications to my phone.

Does the wifi version operate in a more active way?

 

[KimE]

Britain invented a simple noisemaker for the evacuation of Gallipoli, put a bucket under a frozen iceblock hung in an Enfields trigger.

 

[Freightdog]

Does the wifi version operate in a more active way?

With mine, when it's connected to WiFi, the app will refresh about every 15 mins.

 

[willie_gunn]

I've got a bluetooth Govee one which is good as a logger but it's not proactive. Even when I'm in bluetooth range I have to manually force a refresh in the app. It doesn't actively push notifications to my phone.

Does the wifi version operate in a more active way?

With Bluetooth you need to be within a few feet, whereas the WiFi version (so long as it’s connected to your WiFi) will automatically send you notifications if the max/min temperatures are exceeded.

 

[Burnies Boy]

If your outhouse is on the same mains as house you can use a TP link box, the one in the outhouse which is plugged into mains can also provide a local Wi-Fi connection.

 

[75]

If your outhouse is on the same mains as house you can use a TP link box, the one in the outhouse which is plugged into mains can also provide a local Wi-Fi connection.

If the mains is on the same circuit as your house, then you may be able to get WiFi in there using a power line extension like this. Or getting more complex but more reliable, one of these.

Thanks both. Will give this a try - it's a separate circuit but fed from the main supply in the house so I think it should work...

 

[75]

If your outhouse is on the same mains as house you can use a TP link box, the one in the outhouse which is plugged into mains can also provide a local Wi-Fi connection.

Sorry, I’m such a Luddite!! My barn is on a separate MCB from the main house supply, with a second board in the barn with more mcb’s.

I’ve tried a to-link power line adapter but it’s not connecting to the WiFi so I’m guessing there are too many different circuits going on to all me to use the mains cables to boost WiFi?

So WiFi out there looking pretty unlikely I think

Back to the 4g Orion I guess

 

[VSS]

Sorry, I’m such a Luddite!! My barn is on a separate MCB from the main house supply, with a second board in the barn with more mcb’s.

I’ve tried a to-link power line adapter but it’s not connecting to the WiFi so I’m guessing there are too many different circuits going on to all me to use the mains cables to boost WiFi?

So WiFi out there looking pretty unlikely I think

Back to the 4g Orion I guess

How far is your barn from your house?
I have one of these little boxes (knife for scale) on a windowsill in the house, and it has resulted in WiFi in my outbuildings. In fact, anywhere on my yard.


So now I can use Govee temperature monitors in the larder, and have updates and warning alarm on my phone.

 

[75]

How far is your barn from your house?
I have one of these little boxes (knife for scale) on a windowsill in the house, and it has resulted in WiFi in my outbuildings. In fact, anywhere on my yard.

we’ve got 3 boosters in the house already just to get WiFi around the house! Big thick stone walls don’t help - the barn is only about 40m away but I struggle to get WiFi in the downstairs loo never mind outside

 

[VSS]

we’ve got 3 boosters in the house already just to get WiFi around the house! Big thick stone walls don’t help - the barn is only about 40m away but I struggle to get WiFi in the downstairs loo never mind outside

Same here.
We bought 4 of those boxes, and they've worked wonders.
(But why on earth do you want WiFi in the loo??? That sounds a bit pervy to me!)