Avoiding Frozen Water Pipes and Leaks in the Winter Months
This past month we have been receiving a lot of calls requesting our wireless temperature and water sensors for use in both commercial and residential properties to help minimize the potential for damage due to frozen water pipes.
Did you know that when water freezes it expands putting pressure on pipes, valves, tubing, and hoses. The result is often costly and very time consuming to fix. In a matter of minutes a one-eighth inch crack can release 250 gallons of water and disrupt your life in ways you never imagined. It is always smart to insulate pipes that are exposed and where possible, turn off water lines and drain pipes that are not in use. However, these precautions are not always feasible and do not always work.
So, how can you make sure that your pipes don't reach freezing temperature? How can you know if there has been a water pipe break? Using Monnit's affordable wireless temperature sensors and wireless water sensors allows you to monitor the temperatures of your water pipes and know immediately if there is a broken pipe leaking. Place these sensors in your basement, attic, crawl spaces or even outdoor areas to know exactly what the temperature is. There are no wires to worry about, and the setup process is amazingly simple. « View More Information.
Enjoy the winter season without worrying about the potential damage of broken water pipes.
Calibrating Wireless Light Sensors.
The light sensor needs to be calibrated once received. Keep in mind that the light sensor detects if there is light or no light, not light intensity. (For light intensity measurements, please refer to our LUX sensor.)
To calibrate the light sensor, put the sensor in the area where you want to monitor for light presence. Make sure the light level is where you want it in the area because when you calibrate the sensor, it will consider that level as light, and anything less than that level as dark.
1. Login to your iMonnit account with the credentials provided.
2. Select the "Light Presence" sensor from your sensor list.
3. Click on the "Calibrate" tab in the main sensor window.
4. With the sensor online, place it where you want it and set your light level.
5. Select the condition you want to know about from the pull down menu. (Your options are "Aware when light" and "Aware when dark.")
6. Wait for your sensor to check-in again for the settings to take place.
Wine Storage Monitoring
If you collect fine wine, you know that extreme heat or temperature/humidity fluctuations can rapidly damage your valuable wine collection. What happens when your cooling system fails or you lose power while your storage area is unattended?
Using Monnit WIT wireless temperature and wireless humidity sensors can ensure that your wine collection environment is maintained correctly. Monnit wireless sensors measure and track the environmental conditions of your storage area and send instant notifications via email or SMS text if a set condition is exceeded. The system tracks and stores your storage areas climate, providing a detailed sensor data report as well as spreadsheet export functionality. Ensure that your wine collection is kept safe by using Monnit wireless sensors.
Use Monnit Wireless Sensors Anywhere You Want To Monitor Temperature or Humidity.
Monnit Introduces New Wireless Pressure Sensor
Monnit introduces a new pressure sensor to our line of low cost wireless sensors. Behind temperature, pressure is the second most important factor to be monitored. The Monnit WIT 0-200 PSI wireless pressure sensor can be used anywhere a pressure gauge is needed (gas, liquid or vapor).
High quality pressure sensors like Monnit's can range between $600-$1,000. Monnit's new pressure sensor is sold at an industry leading $299.
The Monnit Wireless Pressure Sensor is available for purchase through the Monnit Online Store.
Get Optimal Range From Your Wireless Sensors Through Network Reset
Getting the best range from your sensors can require a bit of trial and error. In this Tip, we discuss resetting your sensor network to assure your system is operating on the most optimal RF frequency in your region, giving you the most range possible. Once you have completed this process, you may also want to look at the following FAQs:
Prior to Monnit shipping your wireless network, your sensors are tested in our lab. This means we form and operate the network in-house. Upon set-up, the sensors and gateway lock onto the most clear RF channel for our facility and begin communicating. The next time the sensor network is plugged in (presumably when you are installing the sensors), your network is still locked onto the same channel that was optimal in our test facilities. However, that may not be the optimal channel for YOU in YOUR location. Thus, we recommend you reset the network prior to deploying the sensors. This will help you achieve the best range for your sensor deployment.
For USB Gateways Using iMonnit Online Software
- Start the iMonnit gateway software
- Insert the USB dongle and wait for the network to go active
- Select "Reset Network" from the gateway software and wait until the status again says "Network Active"
- Begin putting the batteries in the sensors
For USB Gateways Using Monnit Express Software
- Start the Monnit Express software
- Insert the USB dongle and wait for the network to go active
- Go to the pull down menu titled "File" and select "Reset Network," and wait until the status again says "Network Active"
- Begin putting the batteries in the sensors
For Ethernet Gateways Using iMonnit Online Software
- 1. Install your Ethernet gateway as per the instructions from your Quick Start Guide
- 2. Select "My Account" from the main header
- From the Sensor Network list, select the edit pencil of the gateway you wish to reform the network.
- From the options below, select "Reform Network" and wait until the Ethernet gateway has processed the command and reset itself. You will know this is complete once all three LEDs on the Ethernet gateway are green again.
- Begin inserting the batteries into your sensors.
Your sensor network is now operating on the most optimal RF channel available in your area.
Parking Garage Monitoring
Managing a parking garage requires that the lighting is adequate to maintain a safe environment for your patrons. How do you know if you have poorly lit areas within your structure?
Using Monnit WIT Wireless Light Sensors can ensure that your facility parking garage is maintained as a safe environment. Monnit wireless sensors can measure the amount of light in a set area and alert you if the lighting conditions are poor, signaling that you may need to change lightbulbs or fix lighting. The system also tracks and stores your sensor data providing a detailed report as well as spreadsheet export functionality. Ensure that your parking garage is kept safe by using Monnit wireless sensors.
Ensure safety, with Monnit wireless sensors.
Calibrating Wireless Temperature Sensors
Did you know that you can calibrate a wireless temperature sensor to make it more accurate for your application? The Monnit wireless temperature sensor is accurate to +/- 1°C (1.8°F) and calibration to the sensor's working environment provides even greater accuracy. To calibrate your sensors, open your favorite browser and login to your iMonnit account at www.imonnit.com.
- Once logged into the system, go to the "Sensor List" panel and click on the name of the temperature sensor you want to calibrate.
- From the sensor information window, click on the Calibrate tab.
- Make note of the last reading the sensor returned.
- Enter the actual temperature that the sensor should have returned.
- Click the "Calibrate" button.
It will take the sensor 2 heartbeats to fully calibrate. Do not attempt any further calibrations until at least 2 heartbeats have elapsed. The calibration function is a linear calibration so it is recommended that you calibrate the sensor in the environment that it will be measuring. (It is not advised to calibrate a temperature sensor to room temperature and then place the sensor in a cooler or freezer.)
Monnit Introduces Two New Wireless Voltage Sensors
Monnit is proud to introduce two new sensors to our line of low cost wireless sensors. The 120 VAC Voltage Detector notifies of the presence or absence of electricity. It is intended for use on power outlets or power supplies up to 120 VAC. The 500 VAC/VDC Voltage Measurement Sensor is an analog measuring device that reports the measured voltage on user specified intervals. Both of these new sensors are available for purchase through our online store.
« 120 V - Voltage Detect Sensor
« 500 V - Voltage Measurement Sensor
IT and Computer Server Temperature Monitoring
Server rooms and data centers are full of expensive computers and networking equipment that are designed to operate within a given temperature range. Monnit wireless sensors provide a low-cost, highly reliable way to monitor these temperature critical environments.
Using Monnit WIT Wireless Temperature Sensors allows you to monitor the temperature inside of your server rooms and server racks reliably and cost effectively. With Monnit WIT wireless sensors you can be notified immediately if a cooling unit begins to fail or if a server is beginning to operate outside of its optimal temperature range. The system also tracks and stores your sensor data providing a detailed report as well as spreadsheet export functionality. Ensure the proper temperatures are maintained in your server rooms by using Monnit wireless sensors. « Learn More
Stay online, with Monnit wireless sensors.
Enable or Disable Email or SMS Text Alerts from the iMonnit System.
Did you know that you can enable or disable email and text alerts for wireless sensors on your network. iMonnit has a global feature that allows you to stop email and text message notifications from being sent from the iMonnit system. To turn this feature on and off, open your favorite browser and login to your iMonnit account at www.imonnit.com.
- Once logged in, from the top pull-down menu, find and select "My Account"
- On the left hand side, find "Sensor Networks" and select the edit pencil next to the network for which you would like to the notifications turned off
- The second feature down is titled "Send notifications for this Network"
- If notifications are being sent, deselect the check box. If notifications are NOT being sent, select the check box.
- Click "Save"
