3G, power loss and low battery
I have a small project where I need to monitor the temperature of a walk-in fridge for a client, send alerts if the temp rise above a set temperature, detect a power outage, send a warning if the temp sensor battery runs low and in the case of a power cut I need to send the alerts via a 3G dongle as the internet will most likely be down as well. The location of the fridge is also far away from any internet connection, so I might have to run the while solution over 3G/4G.
This seems like a pretty straight forward implementation, but I can't find any updated info on these topics:
- Which 3G/4G dongles are supported at this stage
- How to detect a mains power cut with the backup module installed (according to one post this should now be implemented, but still can't see where)
- How to detect/monitor the battery level on a Z-Wave device
- How to detect if the sensor goes offline/faulty
I've scanned through recents posts looking for answers and found some answers but no clear/definitive answers to the questions above.
Any input or pointers will be greatly apperiated.
Edited: I've just seen the new firmware release and am applying it now and will post back if any of my issues have now been resolved.
The same question
As for the 3G dongles, there are plenty of them on the market and all the time there are new chips, so the best way is to try the one which you have. However, you can always buy the Zipato 3G dongle to be sure.
As for the backup module, there is a temperature meter and accelerometer in it already. Within this month we will release the firmware in which you will have an access to those endpoints. Also, you will be able to see the battery level and get the event of the power outage. So basically you won't need to have any other sensor in case you have a Zipabox on the right location.
If you need to co-locate the Zipabox and you need to use the additional sensor, most of the temperature meters are reporting their battery level and you can set the alarm when Zipabox receive the "low battery" signal from the sensor. It is the same with offline, Zipabox is already receiving the signal from the sensor about battery low level.
Workarounds are not necessary as we are planning to release all those features within the September already.
As for the 3G dongles, there are plenty of them on the market and all the time there are new chips, so the best way is to try the one which you have. However, you can always buy the Zipato 3G dongle to be sure.
As for the backup module, there is a temperature meter and accelerometer in it already. Within this month we will release the firmware in which you will have an access to those endpoints. Also, you will be able to see the battery level and get the event of the power outage. So basically you won't need to have any other sensor in case you have a Zipabox on the right location.
If you need to co-locate the Zipabox and you need to use the additional sensor, most of the temperature meters are reporting their battery level and you can set the alarm when Zipabox receive the "low battery" signal from the sensor. It is the same with offline, Zipabox is already receiving the signal from the sensor about battery low level.
Workarounds are not necessary as we are planning to release all those features within the September already.
As for the 3G dongles, there are plenty of them on the market and all the time there are new chips, so the best way is to try the one which you have. However, you can always buy the Zipato 3G dongle to be sure.
As for the backup module, there is a temperature meter and accelerometer in it already. Within this month we will release the firmware in which you will have an access to those endpoints. Also, you will be able to see the battery level and get the event of the power outage. So basically you won't need to have any other sensor in case you have a Zipabox on the right location.
If you need to co-locate the Zipabox and you need to use the additional sensor, most of the temperature meters are reporting their battery level and you can set the alarm when Zipabox receive the "low battery" signal from the sensor. It is the same with offline, Zipabox is already receiving the signal from the sensor about battery low level.
Workarounds are not necessary as we are planning to release all those features within the September already.
As for the 3G dongles, there are plenty of them on the market and all the time there are new chips, so the best way is to try the one which you have. However, you can always buy the Zipato 3G dongle to be sure.
As for the backup module, there is a temperature meter and accelerometer in it already. Within this month we will release the firmware in which you will have an access to those endpoints. Also, you will be able to see the battery level and get the event of the power outage. So basically you won't need to have any other sensor in case you have a Zipabox on the right location.
If you need to co-locate the Zipabox and you need to use the additional sensor, most of the temperature meters are reporting their battery level and you can set the alarm when Zipabox receive the "low battery" signal from the sensor. It is the same with offline, Zipabox is already receiving the signal from the sensor about battery low level.
Workarounds are not necessary as we are planning to release all those features within the September already.
Sebastian, thanks for the quick response and confirmation of features and timelines.
Sadly no one is selling your 3G dongle in the UK yet. I do however have a few Huawei 3G dongles I can play with and have already tried one I bought recently on the 3 network, but the ZipaBox gave me no visual or other confirmation that my dongle was accepted and working.
What is the process of establishing if the 3G dongle works other from just pulling the power on the ZipBox and see if it comes back online via the 3G dongle?
On the Low Battery and device going Offline questions.
How/where do you read/detect these?
I know from the GUI that I can see the battery status, but the only control I can find in the Rules Generator that has a dropdown for Battery (and many more) is the Alarm control under Advanced, but it won't accept a Temperature meter as a valid device, neither will Sensor or Control under the Sensor section. What am I missing and is this already documented somewhere (post or faq)?
Sebastian, thanks for the quick response and confirmation of features and timelines.
Sadly no one is selling your 3G dongle in the UK yet. I do however have a few Huawei 3G dongles I can play with and have already tried one I bought recently on the 3 network, but the ZipaBox gave me no visual or other confirmation that my dongle was accepted and working.
What is the process of establishing if the 3G dongle works other from just pulling the power on the ZipBox and see if it comes back online via the 3G dongle?
On the Low Battery and device going Offline questions.
How/where do you read/detect these?
I know from the GUI that I can see the battery status, but the only control I can find in the Rules Generator that has a dropdown for Battery (and many more) is the Alarm control under Advanced, but it won't accept a Temperature meter as a valid device, neither will Sensor or Control under the Sensor section. What am I missing and is this already documented somewhere (post or faq)?
Sebastian,
When will the firmware allowing to have an access to the battery level and the power outage will be published ???
Firmware release 0.9.999.2
Sebastian,
When will the firmware allowing to have an access to the battery level and the power outage will be published ???
Firmware release 0.9.999.2
Hi Hewson,
That data is available for some time now.
Open a ticket at support.zipato.com if you don't see it on your Zipabox.
--
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Hewson,
That data is available for some time now.
Open a ticket at support.zipato.com if you don't see it on your Zipabox.
--
Thanks,
Tom
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