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Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

I bought a Lowe's Iris system to keep an eye on the temperature in the bay. 

Iris Smart Home Management System: Thermostats and More

After a month I am pleased.  They have several devices that will measure temperature and report to the control module, the least expensive being a simple door contact sensor which I laid on the floor of the bay.  The system requires an Internet connection that can be provided by a very inexpensive USB modem they have available through Verizon.  It has worked wherever we have a cell signal. 

I have set mine up to send a txt and an e-mail if the bay temperature drops below 40 F.  At any time I can go to the I-Phone app and see what the current temperature is.  (Screen shot attached)  On my laptop I can see a chart of the high and low and know that the heat exchanger in the bay is cycling and that the Aqua-Hot is working properly.  The system also sends a txt and e-mail if the power to the coach fails and another one when it is restored.  (Their battery backup lasts about an hour.)

I tend to worry and I like gadgets, so this seemed a perfect new toy to me.  If we are away from the coach by a mile or across the country I know that the power is on and the temperatures are ok.  This summer I will move the sensor to the inside so it will notify us if we have an AC failure and Maggie the faithful rescue dog is guarding the coach while we go to the store or somewhere.

I didn't buy the complete package because we have no need of motion sensors or a keypad.  I just bought the module, the Verizon modem and a door sensor/thermometer for the bay.  I will probably figure out an excuse to add other devices as time goes on.
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

Reply #1 –
Hi Johnstons
I went to the link at Lowe's and checked it out. It sounds interesting, always wanted some way to check temperatures and control the thermostat. I to like gadgets.
What device do you have that reports temperature? I did not see such a devise on the web sit under accessories.
Thanks 
Donald & Cheryl
1999 U295 36'
2006 Saturn Vue Toad
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Re: Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

Reply #2 –
Their door contact sensors don't show to report temp on the website but in fact they do.  I found that out from the 800 number. 

I doubt the thermostat could be easily adapted to the one on our coaches. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

Reply #3 –
Thanks Rick
I would be using the thermostat in my stick and brick.
Thanks for the info on the door sensors it is odd that they don't readily supply that information in the accessory listings. It is always better to get the true information from an actual user of a product.

Donald & Cheryl
1999 U295 36'
2006 Saturn Vue Toad
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Re: Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

Reply #4 –
Rick,  This sounds great!  I have been wanting to track temps and power remotely but have not found a practical, off-the-shelf, way to do it.  I would like to track bay temps but also inside temps like maybe the bathroom area.  Outside air temp would be nice also.

Can you have more than 1 temp sensor?
What about the Verizon module?  What sort of monthly cost options do you have?

Thanks
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

Reply #5 –
Yes you can have several sensors. I have another in the bathroom. The iPhone app only reports the one you set as default. To see them all requires flash player (laptop.). They still have work to do on the app.

I tried a flash app on my ipad to pull up the temp charts but it didn't work.  May mess with that more later. 

I think the Verizon is $10 a month with no contract. If you are parked where there is wifi available you wouldn't need that.

I picked up a plug to use for some outside lights and it's fun to turn them on with my iPhone and see the power usage. 

Did I say I like gadgets?

Here is a screen shot just now.  The outside temp comes from the weather service, not from an additional sensor. 

Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

Reply #6 –
Rick, gotta have one.  Thanks!

I wonder if my house wifi with extender will reach Gus?  Maybe I test with my iPhone.

Mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches
 

Re: Bay temperature / Lowe's Iris

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michael & Jackie –
Rick, gotta have one.  Thanks!

I wonder if my house wifi with extender will reach?

Ditto & Ditto  and another big thanks.  Looks like a great off-the-shelf find.

Hopefully the system will grow, maybe via other vendors developing compatible sensors, to include things like voltage sensors.  Meanwhile I could get the video option to watch my present displays.
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org