Temperature Warning Device for Your RV (with Pets)

[Wiredawg]

Friends,
I ordered and received a Wi-Fi battery powered temperature/humidity warning devicethat sends warning alerts to your cell phone for our RV. I've been researching a while and plan to test this out soon. Ew have two dogs we keep in the RV when traveling and sometimes gone 4 to 6 hours. Always worried power or air conditioning would fail and either make them suffer or worse die from the heat. I plan to set this device in our RV, set my MiFi battery powered Wi-Fi. Now a couple of caveats: you have to have a cell signal on your phone to receive the signal. Anyway, better than nothing. I will post result of the test, but I think this will work.

https://www.amazon.com/MINGER-Temper...-1-spons&psc=1

When I was active duty Air Force, we had auto dialers that would send alerts whenever temperature, humidity, and water exceeded thresholds on critical air traffic control equipment sites. Hoping to do the same for our four-legged kids.

Cheers, Ron

 

[JR]

Ron please share your thoughts when you get ahold of it. I'm going to be buying one of these before our next trip. Our camper is older and I worry about the A/C going TU or as you mentioned the power going out.

Some of the ones I've looked at have the option to buy additional sensors. I figure it will also be nice to set up at the house when we are away, camping or not. Especially in the winter time.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I'm still going to configure this in my RV, but on the DRV Mobile Suites website, a fellow member suggested using an Automatic Generator Start (AGS) controller and I believe I've found one on Amazon as well. Lots of research still to do, but auto starting my generator AND getting notification would be super. I will report my progress as I work this out AND get able to install and configure this.

Ron please share your thoughts when you get ahold of it. I'm going to be buying one of these before our next trip. Our camper is older and I worry about the A/C going TU or as you mentioned the power going out.

Some of the ones I've looked at have the option to buy additional sensors. I figure it will also be nice to set up at the house when we are away, camping or not. Especially in the winter time.

JR, Absolutely will share info. I have a 25KW diesel genset that auto starts at home. Anymore, I turn water off when leaving the house as a undetected water leak is one of the biggest threats of leaving home unoccupied.

This is all pretty cool. I'm pretty confident this is going to be a good project and has opportunity for other members to utilize this for their homes and RVs.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

Starting the gen. maybe an option but I would worry more about the temp inside if the AC fails or freezes up. Just my $.02

 

[mwilson]

Ron, interested in you progress with this device as well. Worry about my dog for the same reasons.....

 

[Wiredawg]

Starting the gen. maybe an option but I would worry more about the temp inside if the AC fails or freezes up. Just my $.02

Dave, I have 3 ACs, so not much risk of all three of them failing. However, I'm planning on using BOTH the monitor AND the AGS to ensure AC operation. And, reading about the AGS, it can use temperature and loss of power as startup source.

We're on the same page with this. Thanks for the input.

Cheers, Ron

 

[JR]

JR, Absolutely will share info. I have a 25KW diesel genset that auto starts at home.

My version of a generator is an outdoor woodburner, have yet to figure out how to program that to auto start when the power goes out

Ditto on the water. Shut the main off, kill the water heater and double check12 volt sump pump and batteries for back up should we lose power. Flooded basements are a big concern in this area.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Maybe I missed it, but can you change the temp setting on your phone while you’re away? What I mean is, say it’s 80* in your trailer. Can you turn it down to 70* with your phone? We have a similar unit in our home which is called a Nest. We can control the entire unit with our phones anywhere we go. We can turn the ac or furnace on/off, change fan speed, monitor inside temp and adjust temp. We also have smart smoke detectors that send an alert to our phones if the air quality changes.

 

[Wiredawg]

My version of a generator is an outdoor woodburner, have yet to figure out how to program that to auto start when the power goes out

Ditto on the water. Shut the main off, kill the water heater and double check12 volt sump pump and batteries for back up should we lose power. Flooded basements are a big concern in this area.

ESPECIALLY, turn water off to the RV. We were at Capitol Reef National Park all day. When we returned to the RV, the kitchen sink had been running slow stream all day, filled up gray water tank, and was JUST about an inch from overflowing into the kitchen. Whew! Wife had flicked it off and hadn't noticed slight rebound on the spicket arm. Way close call.

Another lesson learned, don't go do anything else while spraying Blackwater tank with valve closed. I was just shy of having a Blackwater eruption in the coach. Now, I just stand there and "doo" the duty.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

Maybe I missed it, but can you change the temp setting on your phone while you’re away? What I mean is, say it’s 80* in your trailer. Can you turn it down to 70* with your phone? We have a similar unit in our home which is called a Nest. We can control the entire unit with our phones anywhere we go. We can turn the ac or furnace on/off, change fan speed, monitor inside temp and adjust temp. We also have smart smoke detectors that send an alert to our phones if the air quality changes.

I'm sure there are automation components out there that you can REMOTE CONTROL your HVAC and other systems, but this only monitors temperature, humidity, and with additional sensors, leaks.

I usually keep ACs set to 72°F, and usually have two running. My third one is for extreme heat AND quick cooling while setting up. My biggest concern is park power issues, like losing shore power. Of one of the two running ACs fail, I can set thermostat on third to come on at 80° as a fail safe. I would set temperature notification and AGS for 80°. We try not to camp further than two hours from a destination or be gone more than 4 hours, so should be safe measures to keep the dogs safe.

I'm still happy for inputs and comments. This is VERY important to keep our dogs happy and safe.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

Last time we were in Minot there was a young couple next to us and the RV had 4 season plastered all over it. They kept freezing up all the time. It was around Thanksgiving so they went home to spend the holiday with relatives. Before they left they froze up. One day there was water pouring out under the RV and the door. Upon opening the door and entering the kitchen faucet was left on which then filled the gray tank and when that was full started filling the RV. What a mess they had going on, we left shortly after that on Dec. 1st but I still get a kick out of the RV's with the 4 season stickers and 10' of unheated/insulated drain pipes in free air. The heated under carraige from the furnace must not work to well below zero.

 

[Wiredawg]

Last time we were in Minot there was a young couple next to us and the RV had 4 season plastered all over it. They kept freezing up all the time. It was around Thanksgiving so they went home to spend the holiday with relatives. Before they left they froze up. One day there was water pouring out under the RV and the door. Upon opening the door and entering the kitchen faucet was left on which then filled the gray tank and when that was full started filling the RV. What a mess they had going on, we left shortly after that on Dec. 1st but I still get a kick out of the RV's with the 4 season stickers and 10' of unheated/insulated drain pipes in free air. The heated under carraige from the furnace must not work to well below zero.

Dave, yep freezing is a big concern for RVs. Ours is 4 Season too, but doesn't have heated holding tanks option. The propane furnace keeps tanks and water piping warm, but severe freezing would need aux heating IMHO. We try not to camp in severe cold, but could do so for a couple of days. Don't get that kind of cold down here in SW TX and our shop where we store RV never gets below 55°F.

I've read where the holding tank heating units must have fluids in them or could melt the tanks, but don't have first hand knowledge about it doing so.

My biggest worry about RVing these days after keeping dogs safe is being around severe weather. Last long trip out, we skirted and experienced several severe thunderstorms. Wherever we camp, I ask what their severe weather procedures are and where is the nearest shelter.

I have NOAA on my CB in the truck, have weather warnings set up on my 5500s Nav Syst, and keep a NOAA radio in the RV and on our smart phones.

Any hoo, we all do what we can to be safe and secure.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

Ron, I installed the tank heaters, dual voltage 12vdc and/or 120vac. I installed heat tape on all the drains, covered the underbelly with coraplast from home depot with 2 access panels where I put 2 200 watt space heaters run off of a thermostatic recept. Needless to say we never froze up and the lowest I saw was -2 before we left Minot to go back to Az.

 

[DavidC]

I have another AC story which may be of interest. While we were land locked in the Phoenix area last summer due to my health issues. I do not remember the exact numbers but during the 105-120 temps between 2 and 4pm the condensor had problems doing it's job. It was bad enough I had my clamp on amp meter on the AC feed wire at the CB. Normally it would run 11 to 13 amps but at that time of the day with the Sun blasting down it would go as high as 18 before tripping the built in overload of the compressor shutting it down and it doesn't take long for the inside temps would soar. I would watch the amps at that time and when it would approach 16-17 I would have to hose down the condensor to help it. It was at the point I had the hose and nozzle on the top step of the ladder as I may have to water it down 2 or 3 times until that part of the heat passed. If I did not get there in time before the overload trip it took about 15 minutes to reset, by that time inside temps could be in the mid 90's. Obviously the condensor is not near largest enough for those temps.. The condensor was clean and no bent fins, the blower fan was in good shape and is driven off the same motor that drives the indoor fan which is always on high speed. That's my horror story of high unreasonable temps and a RV air conditioner.

 

[JR]

120*

I'll take snow thank you. I'm a pretty lean guy but I wither in the heat. On the flip side It can be single digits and I'll be the only guy on the job site in a heavy hooded zip up jacket. Everyone else will be dressed like it's cold out or something

 

[Wiredawg]

Ron, I installed the tank heaters, dual voltage 12vdc and/or 120vac. I installed heat tape on all the drains, covered the underbelly with coraplast from home depot with 2 access panels where I put 2 200 watt space heaters run off of a thermostatic recept. Needless to say we never froze up and the lowest I saw was -2 before we left Minot to go back to Az.

Dave,
Sweet setup! We've only been down in the 20s a couple nights while on the road. We pretty much plan our trips up North outside the hard freeze windows, but have still had snow, but nothing in the teens. I have a 50ft heated hose on board just in case.

We're hoping to head to Maine next Spring, and arrive there sometime in June.

I have bad arthritis, so San Antonio TX works well for me. We saw 108°F in Phoenix last year... ACs hung in there good maintaining 78°F. That was the catalyst for me to add the 3rd AC unit when we returned from that trip. We actually have two ACs and a heat pump. All three will maintain 72°F in 100°F+ temps.

We went to May Madness one year with our Travel Supreme 36footer that had a single 13.5K AC with ~105°F temps. During the day, it struggled to maintain 88°F. I later upgraded that unit to a 15K and added a second one 13.5K. No problems after that.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TFucili]

120*

I'll take snow thank you. I'm a pretty lean guy but I wither in the heat. On the flip side It can be single digits and I'll be the only guy on the job site in a heavy hooded zip up jacket. Everyone else will be dressed like it's cold out or something

This, too, shall pass

 

[mwilson]

This, too, shall pass

Yes it will. That has always been me, running around in a long sleeve shirt without a jacket at 20°....but the last few winters I have been colder than normal..

 

[DavidC]

Yes it will. That has always been me, running around in a long sleeve shirt without a jacket at 20°....but the last few winters I have been colder than normal..

My older age has brought me to a very fine line 79 I'm cold 81 I'm hot . I think my body is fine tuning the 81 to a lower number like 80.125 .

 

[Wiredawg]

Got a funny story and revelation to share: I was stationed at Rockville Iceland from 1982 to 1983 with around 120 mostly Air Force and a few Navy folks. WE had a pretty good mix of folks from the South and the North, so had LOTS of lively conversations. The funniest thing I noticed was the guys from up North were the FIRST and the MOST persistent to complain about the cold. They would say how they loved the four seasons especially snow, but complain about driving in it and shoveling it. We had lots of fun on this and other topics, especially making fun of each others ACCENTS. There was a friend from Massachusetts, YOUSE know what I'm talk'n bout.

Any hoo, Stay warm, stay cold but always be KOOL! Y'ALL!

Cheers, Ron