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How to relatively "budget" implement temperature monitoring of a facility?

robokop 1278 19
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How can I build a budget GSM-based temperature alarm for 4 rooms that monitors each room separately, works without Wi‑Fi, and still notifies me during power outages?

Use a GSM alarm/controller with battery backup and four independent temperature inputs, then wire each room’s sensor or thermostat to its own alarm zone so a low-temperature event triggers a call or SMS [#20905443][#20906201][#20906949] For a stronger all-in-one option, forum users suggested the Satel GPRS-A, which supports up to 8 1-wire sensors and can send SMS and make calls, or a Satel Micra / similar control panel with temperature sensors [#20905443][#20905526][#20915898] If you want the cheapest hardware, one reply suggested 4 simple mechanical thermostats with COM/NC/NO contacts plus a GSM module [#20906949] Battery backup is important because a mains-only GSM unit would fail during an outage; the panel/module can be powered from 12 V with an accumulator to keep it alive for a couple of hours [#20906201] If you need each room identified distinctly on the phone, one suggestion was four separate GSM devices/SIMs, or an SMS followed by a CLIP call, since the call itself won’t show a text label like “alarm1” on the handset [#20905758]
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  • #1 20905365
    robokop
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    The assumptions are as follows - 4 fairly large rooms in which a relatively high and constant temperature - between 22 and 32 degrees C - must be maintained. Heating is realised with a separate combustion blower for each room. While during the day someone constantly monitors their operation, this is troublesome at night. A momentary power failure disables these blowers; they do not restart on their own. Likewise, a fault in any of them - causes the temperature to drop dramatically. The assumptions of the system are as follows:
    4 separate temperature sensors for each room, with the necessity that each of them monitors separately. A temperature drop below the threshold defined for the sensor, should trigger an alarm - i.e. the customer's phone should ring, displaying "alarm1", "alarm2 "etc. Wifi and web applications are out of the question.
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    #2 20905391
    marcin94531
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    https://allegro.pl/oferta/rejestrator-temperatury-gsm-alarm-sms-4-kanaly-6936780603
    https://termoplus.pl/termometry-i-mierniki-cyfrowe/tm40h-gsm/ I think that such 4 loggers should pass the test.
    Of course you need 4 SIM cards.
    According to the description each sensor can be extended up to 80m.
  • #3 20905423
    robokop
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    One such would pass the test - it supports 4 sensors, which is all that is needed. The problem is that it only sends an SMS - and I need it to ring until it drops, i.e. the user rejects the call.
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    #4 20905429
    marcin94531
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    Then maybe it would be better to solve this with an application for the phone ? e.g. such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.messagealarm&hl=pl&gl=US&pli=1
    After receiving an sms from a given number (entered in the application as valid), an alarm is activated on the phone.
  • #5 20905437
    robokop
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    No apps on the phone. This module from the link has another serious drawback for my application - mains-only power supply. So you would still have to invest in an ups.
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    #6 20905443
    panzewsi
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    I would take the Satel GPRS-A. I think it supports 8 1-wire sensors, has 4 outputs, sends text messages and makes calls. And it has an application.
    Eventually any control panel with a sim card, e.g. Satel Perfecta and any thermostats connected to the detector inputs of the panel - their shorting/unscrambling would cause an alarm and a phone call to the owner plus possibly an SMS and an application, but I think it would be simpler and cheaper to use the GPRS-A.
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    #8 20905758
    TvWidget
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    robokop wrote:
    The client's phone should ring, displaying "alarm1", "alarm2 "etc. Wifi and internet applications are out of the question.

    For this you probably need 4 separate GSM devices with separate SIM cards. In theory you could get around this by first sending an SMS with the alarm number and then doing a CLIP. However, this will not be as described.
  • #9 20905800
    robokop
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    TvWidget wrote:
    Theoretically this could be circumvented by first sending an SMS with the alarm number and then performing a CLIP.
    This would fully satisfy.
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    #10 20905805
    TvWidget
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    An estimate of how far apart are these rooms ?
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    #11 20905812
    panzewsi
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    In GPRS-A you can set up something like this, that when a certain threshold is exceeded on a detector it will make a call, send an sms with the detector name and you can see what is happening in the app. If you were to do it with thermostats and a control panel, you could also set it up so that when an event occurs it calls and sends a text message to the same person, or there could be a notification from the app running in the background.
  • #12 20905874
    robokop
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    TvWidget wrote:
    Estimated how far apart are these rooms ?
    One hall about 20m long, divided into 4 chambers.
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    #13 20905899
    TvWidget
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    In the context of an organic budget and battery power supply, determine what delay is acceptable between exceeding the alarm temperature and receiving notification ?
  • #14 20905923
    robokop
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    As little delay as possible. Battery powered for a simple reason - a power outage, shuts down and blowers. When the GSM modem is powered from the mains, without power there will be no notification.
  • #15 20906120
    TvWidget
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    The term "delay as short as possible" does not really say anything. The room temperature does not change quickly. The response to an alarm is unlikely to be immediate either. Is, for example, 30 minutes acceptable?
    You must distinguish between devices designed for battery power only and those with battery backup in the event of mains power failure. In the alarm industry, battery backup is mainly used. However, there are also battery backup solutions. The current-consuming GSM modem is switched on occasionally to send an alarm or notification of its operation.
  • #16 20906161
    robokop
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    I don't understand what you are asking. The temperature in the room changes very quickly - poorly insulated walls. While the 80kW blower heats them up fairly quickly, this heat is quickly lost due to the min. high humidity. In the event of a breakdown, a spare blower must be brought in from the farm building at short notice or, in the event of a power failure, a generator must be run - which also takes time (generator driven from the tractor's PTO). Blowers have a temperature hysteresis of around 4-5 degrees C, so a temperature drop below say 25 degrees C should trigger the alarm. Of course, this threshold temperature for triggering the alarm should also be adjustable.
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    #17 20906201
    panzewsi
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    You have everything you need in a solution using either the control panel or the GPRS-A module. The control panel operates on mains power through its transformer and power supply, and a 12V 7-18 Ah battery is mounted in the enclosure, which can keep the system running for at least a couple of hours. The GPRS-A runs on 12V and here too a battery pack can be given a buffer supply. The 1-wire detectors are powered from the module and the 1-wire bus is said to have a range of about 100m, so this should be sufficient for you, with ordinary thermostats the distance is unlikely to matter as you only need to transmit the 0/1 signal.
  • #18 20906260
    TvWidget
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    Without going into technical details, battery power is often associated with putting the device to sleep. Put simply, putting the device to sleep means that the temperature is measured periodically at a certain time, e.g. every 15 minutes. This can cause a delay in sending the alarm. In the case of an intrusion notification this is not acceptable but in the case of temperature monitoring some delay is acceptable.
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    #19 20906949
    jimasek
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    If it is to be budget then 4 simple mechanical thermostats with COM/NC/NO contact in each room plus a Ropam GSM module.
  • #20 20915898
    ropam

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    Rather better to use NeoGSM-IP-64 or NeoLTE-IP-64 + 4 temp. sensors x TSR-1.
    After the threshold is exceeded, you can call and record 4 messages.+ option to send SMS/e-mail messages.
    Company Account:
    Ropam Elektronik sp. z o.o.
    Polanka 301, Myślenice, 32-400 | Company Website: www.ropam.com.pl

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around implementing a budget-friendly temperature monitoring system for a facility with four large rooms requiring constant temperature maintenance between 22 and 32 degrees Celsius. The user seeks a solution that includes four separate temperature sensors, each capable of triggering an alarm via phone call when the temperature drops below a defined threshold. Various solutions are proposed, including GSM temperature loggers, the Satel GPRS-A module, and mechanical thermostats combined with GSM modules. Key considerations include the need for battery backup to ensure operation during power outages, the acceptable delay for alarm notifications, and the requirement for the system to function without reliance on Wi-Fi or web applications. Suggestions emphasize the importance of adjustable alarm thresholds and the potential use of 1-wire sensors for effective monitoring.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Need budget monitoring for four rooms at 22–32°C? "Wifi and web applications are out of the question." Use GSM calling with per‑room thresholds so the phone rings “alarm1–alarm4” on drops. [Elektroda, robokop, post #20905365]

Why it matters: Power cuts or blower faults can crash temperature fast; voice calls wake staff when SMS might be missed.

Quick Facts

What’s a budget-friendly setup to get phone-call temperature alarms for four rooms?

Use four simple mechanical thermostats with COM/NC/NO contacts, one per room, feeding a Ropam GSM module. This minimizes cost and wiring complexity while still delivering phone-call alerts when a thermostat drops below its setpoint. You avoid apps and Wi‑Fi entirely. [Elektroda, jimasek, post #20906949]

Can one GSM device monitor all four rooms and place calls and SMS?

Yes. Satel GPRS‑A handles up to eight 1‑Wire sensors, has four outputs, and “sends text messages and makes calls.” One unit covers four rooms and leaves headroom to expand. This consolidates alerts and simplifies power backup planning. [Elektroda, panzewsi, post #20905443]

How do I make the phone ring and label alerts without apps or internet?

Use the SMS + CLIP method:
  1. Assign a unique alarm number per room (e.g., alarm1–alarm4).
  2. On threshold breach, send an SMS containing that room’s alarm number.
  3. Immediately place a CLIP call so the phone rings until noticed. This achieves labeled ringing without apps. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #20905758]

How far can I run 1‑Wire temperature sensors?

Approximate reach is 100 m from the module, and the detectors power from the module itself. That is typically sufficient for a single 20 m hall split into rooms, with proper cabling practices. Keep wiring clean to reduce noise. [Elektroda, panzewsi, post #20906201]

Will mains-only GSM modules fail during power cuts?

Yes. If the GSM notifier runs only from mains, a blackout stops alerts entirely. In that case, you must add a UPS or choose hardware designed for battery backup to keep calls and SMS working. “Mains-only” is a critical limitation here. [Elektroda, robokop, post #20905437]

How long will a battery-backed module run after a blackout?

Alarm panels and GPRS modules commonly use 12 V, 7–18 Ah batteries. Expect at least a couple of hours of operation, depending on load and signal conditions. This window covers generator start or swapping in a spare blower. [Elektroda, panzewsi, post #20906201]

What alert delay should I expect from battery-powered loggers?

Battery devices often sleep and sample periodically, for example every 15 minutes. “Putting the device to sleep means that the temperature is measured periodically.” Expect some delay between breach and notification in such designs. Plan thresholds accordingly. [Elektroda, TvWidget, post #20906260]

What threshold and hysteresis should I set for the blowers?

Set the alarm threshold near 25°C if maintaining 22–32°C, given blower hysteresis around 4–5°C. The site reports fast temperature loss due to poor insulation and humidity, so tighter thresholds reduce risk. Ensure thresholds remain adjustable per room. [Elektroda, robokop, post #20906161]

Do I need four SIM cards for this?

If you use four separate GSM loggers, plan on four SIM cards. Each unit needs its own cellular connectivity for independent alarms. A multi‑channel device avoids this, but discrete loggers mean discrete SIMs and plans. [Elektroda, marcin94531, post #20905391]

Can I use a standard alarm control panel instead of a GSM logger?

Yes. A control panel with a SIM, like Satel Perfecta, plus thermostats wired to detector inputs can trigger alarms. Configure it to place calls and send SMS on events, matching your no‑app requirement. This offers flexible expansion. [Elektroda, panzewsi, post #20905443]

Is Satel Micra with capillary thermostats a workable option?

Yes. Satel Micra combined with mechanical capillary thermostats provides a simple, robust temperature trip and GSM notification path. It suits environments where digital sensors are impractical and wiring must stay minimal. [Elektroda, kmarkot, post #20905526]

What do Ropam NeoGSM‑IP‑64 or NeoLTE‑IP‑64 add?

They support TSR‑1 temperature sensors and can call with up to four recorded voice messages. You can also send SMS or email on threshold breaches, improving clarity and redundancy without relying on data apps. [Elektroda, ropam, post #20915898]

Can GPRS‑A scale beyond four rooms?

Yes. It supports eight 1‑Wire sensors and has four outputs. Start with four probes now and add more if chambers increase, or map outputs to local buzzers or relays. [Elektroda, panzewsi, post #20905443]

How fast can temperature drop here, and why the urgency?

“The temperature in the room changes very quickly” due to poor insulation and high humidity. Although 80 kW blowers heat fast, failures demand rapid action with a spare blower or generator start. Immediate phone calls are essential. [Elektroda, robokop, post #20906161]
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