Help a newbie?

Rabbit
1

I am new here, so please be patient.

I design various devices using microcontrollers as a hobby.

I want to set up something that will monitor a couple (a few) sensors ie: two temperature sensors, AC line power sensor, etc to monitor a reef aquarium.

Ideally, I would like to send an email if one of the values is out of limits. Otherwise, I would like to be able to monitor the values over the Internet, perhaps both?

I can build a microcontroller based system that would monitor the sensors and output data to a serial port.

Would I have to do that with some of the things that Rabbit builds?

Anyone have any suggestions on what I could use to accomplish this? I have been on here for a while looking at the products, but I am not sure how to do this for the lowest cost (always a factor).

Thanks for any advice…

Andy

2

If you get one of the development kits that includes a module with Ethernet you will be just a few sensors and some programming short of your goal. There is sample code to monitor sensors, run a web server and send email so you would mostly just need to combine them into one application and tailor it to fit your needs .

The RCM3700 is very hobbyist friendly because it has one .1 inch on center connector. That lets you mount one on a standard breadboard with all your other components and connectors and then just plug the module into it. There are newer/faster/smaller modules however and any will work.

If you go to Digi-Key you can find some cheap temperature sensors that provide digital output which lets you connect them directly to the Rabbit module.

The AC line monitoring could be a bit tricky since you are going to want to send an email that the power has gone off. That means you will need battery backup for your device as well as everything you need to keep an Internet connection alive or have some type of remote monitoring.

Hope this helps.

-Jim

3

[QUOTE=JimHarrigan;2491]The RCM3700 is very hobbyist friendly because it has one .1 inch on center connector. That lets you mount one on a standard breadboard with all your other components and connectors and then just plug the module into it. There are newer/faster/smaller modules however and any will work.
-Jim[/quote]

Thanks! That helps a lot. Looks like a Rabbit Dev Kit is in my future!

Andy