I would like to monitor the temperature of the water downstream from my boiler, but there are no outlets nearby so I’m looking for a battery powered option. Getting an outlet installed would involve an electrician because it’s in a common area. The boiler runs on mV so there’s no 120V or 24V nearby, other than an armoured cable that goes from a fusebox to the pump.
I’ve researched a ton, but have yet to find a solution. The obvious one seems to be a DS18B20 Dallas temp sensor probe taped to the pipe and insulated, but the transmitter part escapes me. An ESP device would be fine if there was an outlet, but on battery they don’t seem to hold up.
In my research I came across some sensors from Fibaro and Qubino but both seem to be old out of date options. I currently have no receivers - Zwave, Zigbee, 433, MQTT… - so I’m open to adding any standard that’s cheaper than the electrician.
Any suggestions? I’d also like a way to monitor the aquastat state (or the pump running state).
It’s really for monitoring, not alerts, so regular readings is what I’m looking for. The boiler itself would have overtemp limits.
I guess it would be possible to set a threshold (or a few) that when could trigger on rising and falling since the temp will generally be at rest or at full temperature, however, the real interest I have is in those in-between non-steadystate times.
Because it is very multi-functional, it can measure almost anything, depends on the sensors you use
Because the sensors you need to get this working cost peanuts
Because it can measure more things at once
Because it will go long time on such battery, and they are rechargeable
Because Z-wave, when situated handy, can reach good distance
Because its ready to do more later, than you start with now, without the need to be replaced, like simple things do.
and last, but very important: Because I have very good experience with a controller based on this board, which does run my hot tub. Complete. Measures temp, pressure (to calculate depth), switches pump, heater and compressor. Works flawlessly for months…
Of course, you would need a z-wave USB stick too, but still, all together the total amount of money is OK for what it delivers.
Yes, you would have to study the manual, but it is very well documented:
Its a fairly easy and cheap setup with HA and the base station supports more wireless remote sensors. WIFI to your HA server and RF to the remote thermometers.
I use it to get outside temps and water bay temps in an RV.
