Monitor for significant changes in image and send alert

[Dmikester1]

So my parents have a hot tub on their deck. Every now and then there will be an issue like the power going out or something else that causes the power on the hot tub to go out. This causes all the panel lights to go out obviously. This can cause the pipes in the tub to freeze and break if it is cold enough outside. So they would like a camera on those panel lights 24/7 and when it sees them go out automatically send them an alert. Anyone done anything like this? I know it can be done. Just looking for the simplest and most cost efficient method. And also, I'm a programmer by day and by night so I'm not afraid to dig into some code to make this happen.

 

[gln2]

Instead of a camera watching a control panel why not monitor the water temp directly with a wireless thermometer? I'm not familiar with a specific model, but here's one; many others on the market.

https://www.amazon.com/Crosse-Wireless-926-251031-HT-Monitor-Accessory/dp/B0081URKJU

 

[looney2ns]

Amazon.com: SensorPush Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer for iPhone/Android - Humidity & Temperature Smart Sensor with Alerts. Developed and Supported in The USA: Home & Kitchen

Buy SensorPush Wireless Thermometer/Hygrometer for iPhone/Android - Humidity & Temperature Smart Sensor with Alerts. Developed and Supported in The USA: Thermometers & Weather Instruments - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[looney2ns]

Ambient Weather WS-09-01TC 8-Channel Wireless Refrigerator / Freezer Thermometer Alarm Set with Night Light

Ambient Weather WS-09-01TC 8-Channel Wireless Refrigerator / Freezer Thermometer Alarm Set with Night Light at AmbientWeather.com. Buy weather stations, wireless weather stations, emergency radios, barometers, hygrometers, lightning detectors, thermometers, wind and rain gauges.

www.ambientweather.com

or

StackPath

 

[TonyR]

@Dmikester1 ,

IMO, the devices suggested by @gln2 and @looney2ns are the most simple and quickest way to go. They are purpose built and most likely will provide the function at the lowest expense and also provide the desired results.

If you already had a PC with Blue Iris and the PC and the camera's POE switch was powered by a UPS (battery back up) then setting up a camera to monitor such a panel and provide a text message pr push notification with 5-10 seconds of the alert would be a relatively easy matter.....but I don't think you have that.

Be aware that any device, whether it be one of the devices above using their proprietary gateway or a PC with Blue Iris, your house's Internet will need to be on a UPS so that your DSL, cable or fiber modem / router will continue to provide Internet access so your smartphone can receive the alert when you are away from the device / place being monitor. In my case, I would need to power an indoor router and a POE injector to an outdoor-mounted cellular radio (AT&T "Fixed Wireless").

Then the only thing that would keep you or them from receiving the text would be some kind of a widespread power outage that also affected the ISP's equipment, rare especially in the more metro and suburban areas....most of them have UPS's and generators (for longer duration outages).

 

[looney2ns]

If they happen to have an alarm system, it probably can be setup to detect a power outage.

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