I would like to remotely monitor temps in my fridge. My preference would be to get push notifications on alarm, and be able to get remote access to current temps. Anyone got recommendations on reliable brands/models?
Refrigerator/freezer remote monitoring
- Thread starter dryfly
- Start date
I currently use the bluetooth Govee temp/humidity monitor from Amazon. It was only $15. They also have a wifi version which costs a little bit more. Both use their own app.
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The Shelly H&T is Wi-Fi, has 18 mo. battery life and is under $30.
I use their Shelly Wi-Fi switches and had no problem having Blue Iris output to activate them or receive input from them, both via HTTP. They do NOT require cloud to operate on your LAN. ==>> Shelly H&T
It has an extensive HTTP API and it likely also provides MQTT Support like most Shelly devices.
I use their Shelly Wi-Fi switches and had no problem having Blue Iris output to activate them or receive input from them, both via HTTP. They do NOT require cloud to operate on your LAN. ==>> Shelly H&T
It has an extensive HTTP API and it likely also provides MQTT Support like most Shelly devices.
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I failed to mention in post #4 that the Shelly devices have an app for smartphones and a free cloud for remote control and monitoring.
I just added several Aqara temp/humidity sensors inside my fridges and freezers and they are working great. They use zigbee protocol. I used the ConBee2 usb stick and phoscon software to integrate into home automation. Range is great. I have one inside a minifridge about 150 feet from the Conbee going through three walls and its getting good signal.
Like many here I started off with many kinds of battery operated sensors. As the years went on I transitioned to using a hardwired Dallas 1-Wire solution.
PROS:
CONS:
- Requires a wired infrastructure based on various topology from Star
- Master Controller is needed and depending upon maker can be cheap to expansive
- Restricted placement based on wiring access or lack thereof
- Interface: Depending upon a persons level of skill or lack thereof you’ll need to adapt one, build one, or spend extra for those that incorporate a GUI / Interface
- Integration: This really is the biggest CON. Unless you’re willing to learn and invest in extra hardware infrastructure integration is very limited without going all in.
Hazards: Given you have literally run hundreds of feet of wire. RFI, EMI, EMF can be an issue if safety wasn’t top of mind.
PROS:
- Extreme temperature range for hot / cold
- Highly accurate in readings and precision
- Expandable, Scaleable, Quick reaction
- Low power consumption with no batteries to ever replace
- Reliable to the Nth degree - just works
- Sensors are cheap and readily available
CONS:
- Requires a wired infrastructure based on various topology from Star
- Master Controller is needed and depending upon maker can be cheap to expansive
- Restricted placement based on wiring access or lack thereof
- Interface: Depending upon a persons level of skill or lack thereof you’ll need to adapt one, build one, or spend extra for those that incorporate a GUI / Interface
- Integration: This really is the biggest CON. Unless you’re willing to learn and invest in extra hardware infrastructure integration is very limited without going all in.
Hazards: Given you have literally run hundreds of feet of wire. RFI, EMI, EMF can be an issue if safety wasn’t top of mind.
thanks for all the info and suggestions. I may not should have asked my question in the HA sub-forum. I'm really not trying to get into HA but just a way to monitor 2 fridges and a freezer.
I'd like remote access like I have for my cameras, but I may just concentrate on some good wireless or bluetooth system. I've been looking for a bluetooth sensor with a computer app. Seems that might open possiblities to VPN to my computer for remote access.
I'd like remote access like I have for my cameras, but I may just concentrate on some good wireless or bluetooth system. I've been looking for a bluetooth sensor with a computer app. Seems that might open possiblities to VPN to my computer for remote access.
DanDenver
Getting comfortable
Don’t forget YoLink. I use it at my rentals as it monitors a variety of things (water/temp/etc). the batteries last over 4 years, communicate almost the length of a foot ball field and you don’t need a smart hub.
It may or may not be something you like, but worth researching!
It may or may not be something you like, but worth researching!
I have doubts that the Shelly H&T sensor battery will perform well long-term in a freezer. The sensor does, however, support being externally powered.
I have 3 of these Shelly H&T sensors (the original model, not the new plus model). My experience so far is that the battery life is decent if the sensor is used indoors (but not 18 mos), and horrid if used outdoors (not exposed to the elements). The battery (CR123A) appears to drain rapidly when exposed to SF Bay Area diurnal cycles.
Disclaimer: battery lifetime studies are always dependent on many factors and this is a limited dataset. All I can say is that the batteries I used (Duracell Lithium) had many years of remaining life per the date printed on the label.
Below is my real-life data. The Shelly Cloud app contains the full history of temperature & humidity data for the sensors, but not the battery data. I started logging the the battery level and voltage myself (via the Shelly Cloud API) commencing 1/24/2022.
Sensor #3 - used only indoors; only 1 battery used so far; battery installed 12/1/2021
Battery life = TBD (8+ months so far, but looking like <10)
Sensor #2 - used only indoors; 2 batteries used so far; battery #1 installed 12/1/2021; battery #2 installed 5/15/2022 (label date Mar 2030)
Battery #1 life = 5-6 months
Battery #2 life = TBD (2+ months so far)
Sensor #1 - initially used outdoors then moved to indoors; 5 batteries used so far
Battery #A = 1 month (outdoors), not on chart, 9/2/2021-10/3/2021
Battery #B = 1 month (outdoors), not on chart, 10/18/2021 - 11/20/2021
Battery #1 life = 2-3 months (outdoors) 11/28/2021 - 2/7/2022
Battery #2 life = 1.5 months (outdoors) 2/7/2022 - 3/21/2022
Battery #3 life = TBD (4+ months so far) 3/21/2022 ...
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There's a definite place for battery operated devices as it allows endless possible locations without the need to run / route wires. But as stated, its also the ongoing costs for batteries and inopportune times where you need to replace the same and not have that type of battery on hand.
As I looked back there were no less than twelve different types of battery cells on hand / required.
My overall goal was for long term reliability, uptime, and reduction in financial outlay and time invested in recharging / replacing cells.
I see lots of value in the latest generation of Lora RF given the incredible distance and penetration. A few makers have jumped on the Lora RF bandwagon and the prices for the same are very reasonable. Now, if only they could make them a little better looking and slim down the size as some of them are really ugly and big.
Any vendor that allows a open API and is well supported by the community have my attention. Probably the only thing that keeps me from deploying a whole bunch of these battery operated sensors is the fact my other goals are to reduce my RF in and around the home.
As I looked back there were no less than twelve different types of battery cells on hand / required.
My overall goal was for long term reliability, uptime, and reduction in financial outlay and time invested in recharging / replacing cells.
I see lots of value in the latest generation of Lora RF given the incredible distance and penetration. A few makers have jumped on the Lora RF bandwagon and the prices for the same are very reasonable. Now, if only they could make them a little better looking and slim down the size as some of them are really ugly and big.
Any vendor that allows a open API and is well supported by the community have my attention. Probably the only thing that keeps me from deploying a whole bunch of these battery operated sensors is the fact my other goals are to reduce my RF in and around the home.
DanDenver
Getting comfortable
DanDenver
Getting comfortable
My z-wave door sensors last about 3+ years. Zigbee is a whole different story, rarely got more than 9 months with that. I no longer use anything zigbee.
Yes, they offer good balance of run time vs common cells anyone can buy anywhere. But, as they use larger AAA cells the physical size is well defined and can't be smaller. Those that use smaller coin cells (I haven't seen) can push the same level of battery run time.
The one's I've seen that advertise 3~4 years only do so because the send interval is defined to something crazy stupid like every 30 ~ 60 minutes.
What really surprises me is some vendors don't make sensors that will fire off an update based on a change of state vs just pushing a value on a defined time interval.That makes very little sense to me as I should be able to decide (sacrifice battery life vs real time data) on my own. But, if you're going to only offer me a set time interval of 5-15-30-etc at least let the sensor push a change of state and than continue on with the defined send interval of X time.
DanDenver
Getting comfortable
Yolink signals are on demand and do not suffer from this delay you mention.
Neither do any of my z-wave sensors. They all respond within an average of 1 second, maybe sometimes 2 seconds (that I get the actual notification)
Neither do any of my z-wave sensors. They all respond within an average of 1 second, maybe sometimes 2 seconds (that I get the actual notification)
I'm assuming the yolink also sends the same based on a timed interval. Otherwise how would you ever be able to track the metrics over a period of time where the temperature is stable / doesn't fluctuate??
DanDenver
Getting comfortable
Your use case is a very specific one. I would suggest a full home automation implementation. It might help you with such specific needs.
DanDenver
Getting comfortable
I think most people just want to know if the fridge goes below a certain temperature
Perhaps less of a concern with the Shelly H&T sensor?
It is my understanding that the Shelly H&T sensor's CPU and Wifi module (ESP8266 ) are active only when temperature and/or humidity change by a threshold value. The rest of the time it "sleeps". This is necessary to avoid generating internal heat and confounding the measurements. (learn more).
It may also be why I experienced low battery life when using the sensor outdoors. I should have tried increasing the temperature and humidity thresholds (1 deg, 5% by default) so the device to not wake up so often.