Wireless Temperature Monitoring in a Hoop Greenhouse
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Affordable Temperature Monitors from CAS DataLoggers
CHESTERLAND OH - CAS DataLoggers recently supplied the temperature monitoring solution for a customer with a large hoop greenhouse sheltering strawberries and raspberries over the cold autumn. This structure was fashioned from polyethylene and had an elongated shape that made it difficult to heat evenly, resulting in yield shortcomings last season. The berry crop was extremely temperature-sensitive, so the open strawberry flower microclimate had to be carefully maintained at a minimum of 30ºF for quality. The hoophouse had systems for temperature, humidity and ventilation, but patchy results in the crop had proven that the climate was uneven throughout the interior. To maintain the proper temperature, the owner contacted CAS DataLoggers to provide a continual monitoring system which could collect the temperature data and pinpoint the uneven coverage so an ideal setup could remedy the problem.
The owner installed a Wireless Temperature Data Logger inside the hoophouse along with a Wireless Base Station to collect and send the logger readings. The datalogger used an external temperature sensor to measure from -60°C to 155°C (-76°F to 311°F) and could record in either Celcius or Fahrenheit. For extended operation, the logger's battery life was upgraded to last about 4 years, useful since it was isolated from any power source. The data logger was also designed with a water-resistant case ensuring its continued operation in the humid environment. The logger had a 16,000 point memory for detailed data collection, with current readings clearly visible on its LCD display.
The logger communicated wirelessly with the base station out to 500 ft, which collected the remote unit's readings. All the data was viewable via web browser at any time using the online WebStorage service provided by the manufacturer. Settings and changes could be made any time remotely over the network without the need to enter the greenhouse to configure the temperature monitor. Beyond just collecting the logger's recordings, the wireless base station periodically sent the data over the network every few hours via email. This way, any sudden failure of the climate control system was immediately announced by a special email warning so that the owner could take immediate measures to stabilize the temperature.
The wireless datalogger let the owner monitor the hoop greenhouse ambient temperature at high accuracy, helping to spot the interior's colder zones which made for high yields in the off-season. The remote unit and base station were cost-effective, durable, and easy to use. CAS DataLoggers also offered the customer a variety of exclusive optional sensors including ones with stainless protection for rugged protection from the elements. The owner commented, "The alarm feature keeps me from having to worry at night and go out there-I don't have to listen to my gut telling me to check on it."
For more information on our wireless temperature dataloggers, additional data loggers monitoring humidity, UV, and more, or to find the ideal solution for your application-specific needs, contact a CAS Data Logger Applications Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or visit the website at www.DataLoggerInc.com.
Contact Information:
CAS DataLoggers, Inc.
12628 Chillicothe Road
Chesterland, Ohio 44026
(440) 729-2570
(800) 956-4437
sales@dataloggerinc.com
http://www.dataloggerinc.com
