Power glitch

[mdlbear]

I went out to the garage a couple of days ago to charge a drill battery. No dice. Some further investigation showed that it wasn't the battery's fault, nor the charger -- it worked fine in the sewing room. So it must have been power in the garage. Still more investigation led to a tripped GFI outlet, which I reset.

And the freezer turned on.

Oops! I don't think anything was lost, but some items were noticably soft. So it must have been out for a day or two.

I'm going to have to install some kind of remote sensing alarm. Grump. But next time I might not get off so lightly.

Comments

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

Something like this (http://www.amazon.com/CDN-Audio-Visual-Freezer-Alarm/dp/B00012K6GA)?

[mdlbear]

No -- the problem is that because it's the garage, it could be a long time before anyone goes out there. I need something that my server can keep an eye on and send me email about. A router or other small computer would work.

Hmm. Maybe I still have a print server sitting around.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

Oh, for Tesla's sake, it doesn't have to be connected to a computer!

This one (http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Aids-Freezer-Alarm/dp/B003E6LPLK/ref=pd_sbs_k_1) has a loud audible alarm, and describes itself as "perfect for the spare freezer in the back hallway or garage". This (http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instrument-00985-Refrigerator-Thermometer/dp/B000P55SN4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298740783&sr=8-1) setup is wireless, although the blurb doesn't specify the maximum distance from sensor to alarm.

But if you've got your heart set on computerizing it, and you feel like spending a lot more money, there's this (http://www.temperaturealert.com/Temperature-Alarm.aspx?Click=4152&c1=GAW_SE_NW&source=WKD&kw=freezer_alarm_exm&cr5=5945552300&gclid=CLW07vWppqcCFYLd4Aod3FaNCw)...

[mdlbear]

I suppose a temperature sensor would be better, in case somebody leaves the door open again, but I think all I really need is something to detect whether there's power on that circuit. And I don't want a loud alarm, because if Colleen's home alone she wouldn't be able to deal with the situation, and if it happens during a weekend when we're both gone the batteries could be worn down before we get home.

I was thinking of installing some small server that I already have sitting around, and just pinging it every once in a while. If it did something useful, like backups, so much the better.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

[mdlbear]

Except that the sensor is in the dongle, and I don't want to run a USB cable into the freezer. Also, I don't have a computer at that end of the house.

I'll probably get one of the inexpensive temperature alarms, but the remote voltage sensing still needs doing, and can be done using hardware I have lying around the house. The only interesting challenge is minimizing power consumption.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

Incidentally... why is the freezer on a GFI outlet in the first place?

[mdlbear]

Because all the outlets in the garage are on the same GFI-protected circuit.

[acelightning.livejournal.com]

Well, it's understandable in the workbench area, at least...

[ifics.livejournal.com]

Refrigeration should never be on a GFI Circuit.

[mdlbear]

True, but that seems to be the way the garage is wired at the moment. Will have to look around and see if I can find a non-GFI outlet within reach.