Monitoring pool temperatures

[electron]

I would like to start monitoring the temperatures of my above ground pool. I can run new wire as needed, so would prefer to stay with a wired solution. The biggest requirement is that I can integrate it within my home automation environment. It looks like the Goldline 10k sensors are the most popular. Does this kind of sensor work with the M1 (8bit), or do I need 10bit? What other options do I have?


edit: after some searching, it looks like going the Arduino route would be the cheapest so far. Is anyone doing this?

 

[potts.mike]

I would like to start monitoring the temperatures of my above ground pool. I can run new wire as needed, so would prefer to stay with a wired solution. The biggest requirement is that I can integrate it within my home automation environment. It looks like the Goldline 10k sensors are the most popular. Does this kind of sensor work with the M1 (8bit), or do I need 10bit? What other options do I have?


edit: after some searching, it looks like going the Arduino route would be the cheapest so far. Is anyone doing this?

I am not sure what your setup consists of but I use this

http://store.qkits.com/moreinfo.cfm/vk011

to monitor temperatures and bring them into CQC.

 

[Monk]

I would like to start monitoring the temperatures of my above ground pool. I can run new wire as needed, so would prefer to stay with a wired solution. The biggest requirement is that I can integrate it within my home automation environment. It looks like the Goldline 10k sensors are the most popular. Does this kind of sensor work with the M1 (8bit), or do I need 10bit? What other options do I have?


edit: after some searching, it looks like going the Arduino route would be the cheapest so far. Is anyone doing this?

A regular ELK-M1ZTSR might work for you...

 

[electron]

I don't think the M1 sensor is rated for in-pool use. From what I can tell, the only clean mounting solution is the Goldline sensor. Was hoping someone had it working with a cheap arduino based controller.

 

[sic0048]

Since you use Homeseer, you could always use the RFXCom receiver which picks up Oregon Scientific weather sensor signals. OS has a wireless floating pool thermometer that would be perfect. There are several on EBay right now for about $45.

Of course if you don't already have a RFCom receiver, this isn't a cheap solution.

 

[Rupp]

Since you use HomeSeer, you could always use the RFXCom receiver which picks up Oregon Scientific weather sensor signals. OS has a wireless floating pool thermometer that would be perfect. There are several on EBay right now for about $45.

Of course if you don't already have a RFCom receiver, this isn't a cheap solution.

Yea, I use these and they work really good for my pond. I just wish the hardware would last a tad bit longer. I'm only getting about a year or a bit longer out of these sensors. These aren't wired though and Dan is looking for a wired solution.

 

[sic0048]

I don't know how close his pool is to the house, but I honestly would be worried about running a wire out to the pool even a relatively short distance. I'd be afraid it would act as a big antenna and cause damage if there was a lightning strike close by. Using wireless give you that necessary break in conductivity to prevent issues like that.

 

[Steve]

That's a good point but these things don't run across lawns or decks to a pool. In the case of the Goldline sensor it is mounted into the PVC pipe that is generally by the pump/filter which is typically on a pad right up against the house. So in reality there is very little exposed wire. And even then worst case is it would take out a controller like the Datanab or similar. So even in the rare case damage would be minimal. And my $25 sensor has been there for years, I could have replaced the controller twice at the cost of wireless sensors every year. Pros and cons....

 

[electron]

I was considering the RFXcom hardware, but I would need the ethernet version, so it would add up fast. My pool is right next to the deck, which is attached to the house. The pump/filter is actually under the deck, so I would run the wire into conduit, into the house (just like the electrician did with the pool wiring).

Do keep the responses coming, it makes one think

 

[Michael McSharry]

There are encapsulated DS18B20 1-wire temperature probes sold on ebay for around $10. They work fine with the WebControl hardware that has an IP interface. WebControl is discussed elsewhere on this board and sells for under $40. It has other Analog and Discrete interfaces as well so you may find other things you could do/monitor around the pool with the same hardware.

 

[electron]

I'd love to go the 1-wire route, but worried about the chemicals in the pool water affecting the lifespan of the sensor. I'll check eBay tho.

 

[electron]

Something like this does look interesting. I just need to figure out where to mount this.

 

[sda]

The head looks like its a single piece stamping, but I'd be concerned if the cable to head connection is suitable for submersion.

OT: Just about everything in this ebay store is "free shipping". Makes you wonder how they can ship stuff from China and still make a profit. The good old USPS still has to deliver it to your mailbox. Are we subsidizing foreign mail now too?

 

[potts.mike]

What is the difference between a Dallas DS18B20 and a Dallas DS18S20?

I am wondering if the above sensor would work with my kit.

 

[Michael McSharry]

Dan, that is the probe I was referring to. I have a few and it looks like stainless with epoxy and done in a way that looks to be internded for submersion. The provided cable is about 30" long with a connector appropriatre for a circuit card. For outdoor use you would want to make a outdoor rated one that mates 3 wires.

In my case I installed a standard DS18B20 in a copper end that is a cutoff after rough plumbing. It looks like a copper test tube. I soldered Cat5 to 2 legs and then filled the tube with silicon caulk. It is submersed in a pond for what I think has been about 5 years without any problems. My cat 5 run is about 100 ft to my 1-wire hub.

The DS18B20 and DS1820S are both temp sensors but the B has 12 bit A/D wile the S is 8 bit. You have resolution to 0.125 with B and 0.5 with S (centigrade). The registers are a little different so interface firmware also needs to be modified if you are talking directly to the device.