PaulS
Thanks for the offer. I will definitely take you up on the offer once I get a system in mind that would work for what I need/want. I will PM you soon.
robtillaart
I love this idea! It's pretty much exactly what I had in mind.
The lack of cables is not a requirement at all, only a convenience. Probe to controller connection being wireless is not essential whatsoever. Controller to PC connection being wireless would be nice.
More on this a little later in the post.
rocketgeek
I like the idea of a probe to wireless central base.
Main Requirements:
- the system must monitor temperature per tank
- the system must monitor humidity per tank
- the system must have settings per tank
- the system must sample temperature every 10 seconds
- the system must sample humidity every 60 seconds
- the system must apply a warning when temperature is outside the range [XX..YY]
- the system must apply a warning when humidity is outside the range [XX..YY]
- the system must have a local feedback about its working condition (local feedback on control side, much like indication lights on an ethernet connection)
- the probe must be able to sample data accurately while its electrical components are protected from a high humidity environment (80% RH+)
- the system (minus PC & any future fan expansion) must be less than 30db loud
- the system must be easily expandable
==> - little difficulty when adding addt'l probes and controllers - the system must have a graphical PC interface for customization of data representation and overview of output data
- the system's data must be easily accessible remotely by persons of little to no computer savvy
==> - i.e. hourly tweets or e-mails when function is activated - probe and probe connection to controller must be easily installed into tanks that are already inhabited
==> - i.e. small probe and probe connector/wire
Since I am a very visual person, here are some more visual aides to go along with requirements and further explanation.
Probe
- the sensor must be able to take readings and be protected from excess moisture while being in a housing with the smallest footprint feasible.
- the probe's wire connection to the controller must be as thin as possible
==> the midway connector is only needed if the controller's input socket (from probe) is of an unacceptable size - it is not necessary for the probe to be wireless
===( Any ideas of max probe wire length? )
Controller
- the input socket from probe to controller must be uniform
==> - this way addt'l probes can be added/removed easily and without any tools
==> - status indication lights (red/green) for a go/no go on sensor
--Things that would be nice--
- wireless communication between controller and PC
- controller mounted small LCD display with 2 button scroll through sensor information
PC Interface
- wireless/hardline connection from controller
- remote accessibility of data
==> - tweet/sms/email - remote repetition of alarm signal
==> - audible/tweet/sms/email - ability to customize output display
==> - custom tank display names, choose which information to display, C or F (maybe K for s&g's) - the ability to save a log of sensor readings
- must be easy to operate for people without extensive computer skills
==> - maybe a basic and advanced mode?
It could be a lot fancier than this, but sometimes simple is better.
Well that's it for now.
10,000 thank you's from me yet again!