Want to check my basement temps from my lap top

IS there any thing out the that would let my keep an eye on my basement or refrigerator using my laptop? I will be able to do a few lagers coming soon in the basement. Yea I could go to the basement but my basement is a crawl space and its not like I can open a door and walk down the stairs. Yea I know I can buy those wireless thermometers at wal-mart but I would love something I could check on a pc.


Anything out there with out breaking the bank?

yes... a bcs controller can do that and a lot of other stuff...

You would have to give it a switch to take it onto a wireless network.
hmm... not breaking the bank.... that is always hard!

or a wireless weather station... several of them will take several bases. Not sure how you could tie it in to a laptop, but the weather applications have to have options for that.

I use these devices in my basement and cold cellar. You can have them direct connected for continueous input or place them in the space and download data logged over a period of time.

http://www.onsetcomp.com/products/kits/kit-u10-001

Hope this is something to help you out.

Salute!

Take a look at the tweeting kegerator.

I've used the Maxim One-Wire sensors for this.

With a little programming, you can put together graphs like this: http://temps.palarchio.com/

Wireless is going to be expensive, you're either going to need a small PC or Arduino down in the basement or run at least one cable down there to connect up to the sensors.

Davis weather stations allow extra temp sensors.

jpalarchio said:

I've used the Maxim One-Wire sensors for this.

With a little programming, you can put together graphs like this: http://temps.palarchio.com/

Wireless is going to be expensive, you're either going to need a small PC or Arduino down in the basement or run at least one cable down there to connect up to the sensors.

Click to expand...

+1 for 1-wire. I use the 1-wire for various items in my house (Outside, inside, freezer, keg fridge, lager box, etc). You can run them all in series on a single pair of wires (bell wire or cat 5).

I use the Digitemp software to read the temps. You can then use the rrd tools to make the graph. IIRC, there was a detailed webage on the Digitemp website on how to do that.

john

Thanks for all the replies and I definitely got some great ideas!!!

I think a Xanboo device would be perfect for your application. They are wireless and not too expensive.

Here is a link to the page on Xanboo's site that has the wireless temperature sensor:

http://www.xanboo.com/devices/device_list.htm#wirelesssensor

Here is a link to an ebay sale of the device:

http://cgi.ebay.com/XANBOO-HOMESIGHT-WIRELESS-TEMPERATURE-SENSOR-HM-SM4150-/330407790413

Good luck with your project.

I like Hobby Boards for 1-wire gear: http://hobby-boards.com/

--Mike

Here is how I did it:

http://www.richestill.com/wordpress/?page_id=89