Which system would you recommend?

[Neosec]

This is not really HOME automation but more for monitoring.
 
We have five greenhouses that I'd like to be able to get the status of remotely. Temperature, ventilation fan operation, heater operation, open/closed doors and vents, hi/lo temperature alarms, etc.
 
I'm considering Elk M1G with M1ToGo. It supports the temperature sensors I need, and can do the openings monitoring with door window sensors.
 
One concern I have is the very high humidity environment of a greenhouse may be an issue with the electronics.
 
The system needs to be reliable.
 
Anyone know if PLCs will get me the info over the internet?
 
TIA
 
Neo

 

[RAL]

Do you plan on installing the M1 in the greenhouse, or could it be installed in the house, with the remote sensors in the greenhouse?  In general, its best to avoid installing an alarm panel in a highly humid environment, especially if there is the possibility of condensation.  But if the environment is below 90% humidity and non-condensing, it should be ok.
 
If all you want to do is monitor the greenhouses, another option would be devices from Sensaphone, such as the Sensaphone 800, 1400, or Web600.

 

[Neosec]

Do you plan on installing the M1 in the greenhouse, or could it be installed in the house, with the remote sensors in the greenhouse?  In general, its best to avoid installing an alarm panel in a highly humid environment, especially if there is the possibility of condensation.  But if the environment is below 90% humidity and non-condensing, it should be ok.
 
If all you want to do is monitor the greenhouses, another option would be devices from Sensaphone, such as the Sensaphone 800, 1400, or Web600.

There's a place where I could put the controller that's lower humidity. It's the sensors I'm more concerned about. Sensaphone looks interesting but, what I need seems to be "available soon" and "cloud" I'm not big on cloud based storage.
I do appreciate the input though. I didn't know sensaphone was evolving their products. I haven't seen one for ~15 years.

 

[RAL]

The data sheet for the Elk's temperature sensors say "suitable for outdoor use in a covered environment."  But it contains electronic components mounted on a circuit board in the sensor module.  That would give me concerns about using it in an environment where there is condensing humidity.   The M1ZTSR has a remote probe on a 7' cable which looks to be waterproof.  If you can mount the sensor module in a lower humidity spot and place the probe in the main part of the greenhouse, that would probably be best.  

 

[drvnbysound]

A M1G seems like it would be an awfully expensive for this sort of project...
 
However, I don't know if any existing COTS systems for something like this either. Personally, I'd look into something like an Arduino or RPi and roll my own setup... I'm more familiar with RPi and if you went that route I'd suggest something like the GrovePi+ shield with the various add-on sensors needed.
 
 
The PiFace Digital 2 is also a very capable shield, but doesn't have all of the pre-built integration/sensors that the GroovePi+ does.