USB Temperature sensor - Is there any?

[KenM]

Hi,

I am searching for a simple, inexpensive, temperature sensor that I can connect into a USB port (or WiFi). I am currently using Z-Wave and some minor INSTEON stuff.

My goal is to be able to have this sensor report a temperature to a HA system like HomeSeer, so that I can activate basic cooling or heating HA via a web interface. I trashed my old TempLinc months ago. It got too un-reliable. Too much noise I guess.

I write a lot of my own software so that is not a problem, a plug in solution would be great. If prodded enough, I could create a HS plugin for something like this.

I received today, a 'Go!temp' (from Vernier) USB sensor. I can make this work, as they offer up the SDK for free.

If any one knows of some type of temperature sensing software/hardware for a person on a budget; please chime in.

Ken

edit added:

The Go!Temp sensor looks like something a evil nurse might use, it is about seven inches long. I am hoping for a miniature sensor.
k

 

[ctwilliams]

It may be overkill, but you could use a Labjack and make your own temperature sensor that could be pretty small.

I think Homeseer has a plug in for Labjack....

CT

 

[IVB]

You could use a USB-Serial interface, and get the Qkits VK011 serial temp sensor. They're tiny as heck so they're easily concealable, and a CQC driver just came out for it.

 

[pete]

Have you looked into One-Wire stuff from Dallas Semi

they have a USB adapter, cheap temp sensors and good development resourses . .

Pete C

PS. they are very accomodating to request for samples

 

[KenM]

Thanks all,

I had considered the Dallas '1-wire' devices but I was not sure if they had any support. The '1-wire' devices are new to me. Are any USB interfaces supported? If so, by who?

I would enjoy obtaining a SDK for these things. Anyone know how that might happen?

Regards,

Ken

 

[FrankMc]

Hi Ken

Eric from Hobby boards sells a USB to 1 wire interface ....

HTH
Frank

 

[KenM]

Thanks all,

I think I will look into the DALLAS one wire sensors.

Ken

 

[DavidL]

Michael McSharry has good 1-Wire support software for Homeseer already.

 

[ericvic]

Thanks all,

I had considered the Dallas '1-wire' devices but I was not sure if they had any support. The '1-wire' devices are new to me. Are any USB interfaces supported? If so, by who?

I would enjoy obtaining a SDK for these things. Anyone know how that might happen?

Regards,

Ken

Ken,

Dallas has an SDK for their 1-Wire masters.

Eric

 

[applecake]

Hi,

I am searching for a simple, inexpensive, temperature sensor that I can connect into a USB port (or WiFi). I am currently using Z-Wave and some minor INSTEON stuff.

My goal is to be able to have this sensor report a temperature to a HA system like HomeSeer, so that I can activate basic cooling or heating HA via a web interface. I trashed my old TempLinc months ago. It got too un-reliable. Too much noise I guess.

I write a lot of my own software so that is not a problem, a plug in solution would be great. If prodded enough, I could create a HS plugin for something like this.

I received today, a 'Go!temp' (from Vernier) USB sensor. I can make this work, as they offer up the SDK for free.

If any one knows of some type of temperature sensing software/hardware for a person on a budget; please chime in.

Ken

edit added:

The Go!Temp sensor looks like something a evil nurse might use, it is about seven inches long. I am hoping for a miniature sensor.
k

LM335 temperature sensors plugged in to an analog input module.
A top16 analog input module from tctec will give you up to 7 temperature inputs, and one input for a reference voltage (LM336)

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

LM335 temperature sensors plugged in to an analog input module.
A top16 analog input module from tctec will give you up to 7 temperature inputs, and one input for a reference voltage (LM336)

Are you getting adequate resolution with these temp sensors? At 10 millivolts per degrees Kelvin I wouldn't think you would get enough output for a typical resolution range needed for a home (say -30 to 110 degrees F).

 

[KenM]

Just as a FYI to all,

I ended up with (several) HomeSeer's HSM100s (Z-Wave). No wires, good and bad. The battery will eventually fail after about six to ten months. The 'good' part is that, on a weak battery, the temperature and light level readings seem to keep working while the motion part reports a continuous motion event.

Any more, I just replace the battery every five months. These things came to market after my original post.

enjoy HA!

ken

 

[applecake]

LM335 temperature sensors plugged in to an analog input module.
A top16 analog input module from tctec will give you up to 7 temperature inputs, and one input for a reference voltage (LM336)

Are you getting adequate resolution with these temp sensors? At 10 millivolts per degrees Kelvin I wouldn't think you would get enough output for a typical resolution range needed for a home (say -30 to 110 degrees F).

-30 F = 238K = 2.38 Volts
110 F = 316K = 3.16 Volts

The input is 0 to 5 volts, 12 bit.

workable precision is better than 0.5 degree F, uncalibrated accuracy depends on LM335 sensor model, but +- 1 degree is normal.