I’m trying include our new underfloor heating in our home automation. I’ve got the valves and pump working. I am now looking for a way to monitor the inlet and return water temperatures.
I have 6-8mm dumb temperature gauges in “dry holes”, and trying to find a smart equivalent. I’d prefer zigbee, but honestly anything and I have mains power available if needed.
Any suggestions much appreciated!
Thermistors ? digital sensors?
Ahh, i read “dry holes” in the way you have sondes in concrete slab.
You can use whatever device that comes with temp probes, attach the probe to the pipe and cover with adhesive insulation foam.
Few DS18B20 sensors and Esp board for example.
Thanks, that pointed me in the right direction!
I’m try using the D18B20s with the Shelly plus add-on as I’ve had a lot of success with their PMs and relays.
Really appreciate the quick and helpful advice.
Never tried addon, but Shelly is rarely bad choice.
Hi @ClimbingFishBoy I’m trying to do the very same thing, did you have any joy with your approach?
Shelly add-on with 2 temp probes running fine for me since about 3 years.
@Frank_Beetz do you have it setup for the purpose described by the OP? If so, do you have the sensors in the dry holes?
In my case, I attached the sensors straight to the outside of the pipe (metal) and insulated it with foam (to the surrounding),
I have. I’ve wrapped extra aluminum tape around the sensors to get them up to the same diameter as the original analogue gauges.
Then using the Shelly plus to read them.
I have an extra one using a pipe clip on the hot inlet just to check the thermostatic valve is working.
I’m super impressed at how responsive they all are - much quicker than the analogue gauges.
Thanks for replying and posting the photo.
I’m considering a Shelly Uni Plus which can support up to 5 sensors: 2 for the manifold flow and return, 2 for radiator flow and return and 1 for boiler return.
I’ll try the approaches shared by @ClimbingFishBoy and @Frank_Beetz.
I have done something similar already with an inkbird temperature sensor taped to the flow from my boiler. I had to calibrate it in HA to match the one I’m receiving from my viessemann boiler as it’s always slightly lower and more so as the temperature gets hotter.
Will report back!
I’ve only got 3 sensors on the Shelly Plus, so far, but it’s working well.
I got four sensors hooked up. Two two the manifold and two to the boiler. The boiler gives me the flow for the manifold and the boiler and it’s a few degrees out but I can correct that with a calculated sensor after I’ve collected enough data to extrapolate from. Processing: 1000044821.png…
