Freezer alarm for shed freezer - how to make one???

Hi OBJ
Thanks for info
Its unreal how much net search I did but didn't find that one.
Unfortunatly the link says its unavailable.
How far do the remote monitors work from the freezer?

Regards
Geoff 17

Hi Geoff.

My freezer is in our garage which is about 15-20 metres from the gauge. Not so when in the car of course. I have not tried to see how much further that that they operate.

That website I put up is Fishpond. It may be possible to purchase them from another source. As always Google can be your friend :)

I'm pretty happy with mine. I do use Lithium batteries (as recommended) in the sensors. It seems they may handle the extreme cold better than alkaline.

Good luck. I thought it may save some effort if you were aware of these.


OBJ

Found some on eBay. Postage is a bit stuff, but it usually is from the USA.
I heard recently that Aust Post have set up an address where purchases made in the US can be sent there and they are then sent to Australia for much lower rates than US postage. I can't find anything about it after a quick search through Aust Post, but clearly remember reading about it a while back. It may suit you if you can find it. Maybe you post office has the clues. Good luck.
Cheers
OBJ

Hi Allan
I think you idea makes sense (ill read again tomorrow when no red)
I guess I ws stuck on the trickle chark / Gel as we use them at work for timer back ups and the batteries last for 6-7 years and would have a reasoble reserve of power incase neighbour away for a couple of days.
When you say dry battery I am not sure? - like a 6v dolfi torch battery?
I though 12v I could just use LED side lamp as a light alarm and maybe a reverse buzzer for audio??
AH I just read your point 2 again and it sunk in, you are correct no need for extra relay set up for power loss.
Battery option still not clear to me yet.
Regards
Geoff 17

Hi Allan

got myself confused with the Annie, but I was using someone elses pc and didn't realise she was auto logged on!!

Did you mean like a 6 volt dolphin torch battery for a "dry battery"?

I guess they would be ok but how long do they last just sitting I wonder?
I guess if I added a small readout volts then that would end up draining it in any case, but I could just have a cheap tester and do it every few months maybe - if I don't forget.

Regards
Geoff 17

Yes, a 6v lantern battery would do it, but so also would a 9v lithium (Jaycar SB-2397) with a piezo buzzer (Jaycar AB-3462) and a flashing LED (Jaycar ZD-1965). The alarm only draws current when actually alarming and the lithium battery will have several years shelf life.

I guess that the system design depends on the desired arrangement. Will the buzzer and LED be in the neighbour's premises or will they be on your house and visible to your neighbour? If the latter then they may need to be louder and brighter.
Just what is the likelihood of freezer failure? How many of your acquaintances have suffered?

But what happens if your neighbour is absent? If monitoring your freezer is important maybe a Phone Dialler such as this one could be worthwhile? It is a GSM (mobile phone) system and will require a SIM card (prepay or Telstra Casual $10/month) but systems such as this are available for connection to the wired phone network.

There are also apps for your mobile phone which will allow you to 'call home' when desired and view your fridge temperature readout.

Then again, perhaps it may be desirable to install a full home security system incorporating a phone dialler to which your freezer alarm can be connected.

Hi Allan

thanks for the Jaycar part #, I will have a look.

the lithium type battery I only recently even knew of, which were advised for a "spot" epirb type think we bought for a present - not cheap but had shelf life into the 2020;s

The end of the shed is close to the neighbour car port and so a flashing light / buzzer would certainly alert him.

yes risk if he is away I guess, but if something goes wrong I also need someone to help in anycase.

We have had 3 bad freezer experiences over the years - almost 4

1/ CFA bloke kicked lead and separated when getting out of boat in shed (freezer still in boat from trip with fish in it) when he decided to service the fire extinguisher whilst doing the shed ones and no one noticed unltil it was real bad!!!!!!

2/ Had a power failure for a few hour and when came back on bait freezer never did (it was very old) and we were away = BAD

3/ Again bait freezer and we were away and had a short and blew fuse so freezer was OFF = BAD

4/ Electrician decide to test / tag lead on freezer sitting in shed while doing work items, BUT FORGOT to plug in again, LUCKY this time we went to get some fish and found it 1/2 thawed and so were able to give all the fish away so it was not wasted and frezzer ok.

so you can see why I am thinking alarm!

Maybe our bad luck run is over and I should be fine from now??


thought about a full home security set up but don't have land line so would add another ongoing cost, I guess it could be done with a data mobile type phone (we have some of those GSM set ups you speak of on soil moisture probes and quite reliable but again an ongoing cost and when they do play up its a tech job.)

Thanks for the range of ideas, I will ponder for a few days to see what may suit best.

Regards
Geoff 17

Hi Jim

thanks for that, will ask them what max range they will work

Regards
Geoff 17

Geoff
They work to 100 meters, within their design, that is
They are designed to show the temperature to a remote display. They are not a setpoint controller, if they have an alarm, it would just be a buzz or something. (if at all) No relay, no led's, and external switching. So not exactly what you asked.
I love them, awesome. Cheap, Quite a few suppliers have the exact item, rebadged. My first one was badged a "Dualzone", the current 2 are Evacool, same thing, last for years