Roll your own controller with this gadget

thats pretty neat. could have used that a couple of years ago

Amazing what $1.50 can buy you this little 8-bit PIC microcontroller with an USB interface! Then add a few relays and some software all ready to go for $50.

I ordered the 16-sensor PC sensor system from the folks in china...and while the sensors all seem fine, the little USB interface they provide seems to keep crapping out on me. Even with the sensors just sitting on the bench, nothing moving, after awhile I keep smelling the controller and it dies. Happened to a few different ones. So I'm peeking around for an alternative simple interface to all of these Dallas 1-wire sensors. I see this device can readily handle six sensors, one on each of its own I/O lines. I wonder if the software would support multiple sensors on each I/O pin? Or I wonder if the PIC can be reprogrammed readily over the USB interface so one could write their own code for the PIC?

But I have to agree, a nice simple device like this with a easily to use command language, with some logical constructs and simple programming "interface" would make a really great way to control a complete system....

MKW, do you know if this would work to control a smart 40 DHW. it has an adjustable snap-disc aquastat.

Huff

Take a look at these controllers all tcp/ip. I have been looking at them for my install.

http://www.controlbyweb.com/products.html

bpirger: 16-sensor PC sensor system ... crappingout

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I used the 16-sensor unit before the 1-wire became available, and I now have in use two systems using the 1-wire mini-LAN, one operating 17 sensors and the other 16 sensors. I did have trouble with sensor failure on the 16-sensor unit. One USB controller for the 1-wire physically broke, so I ordered a replacement plus a couple of extras, just in case. None of the 1-wire USB sensors has failed. I use them only for data logging and computer screen monitoring -- not wireless, not web-enabled and not controlling. I also have in use pre-made DS18B20 sensors and I have made and encased my own DS18B20 sensors. No 1-wire sensor has failed.

The roll-your-own gadget looks very interesting. If I was starting over I think I would try something like this, still might although I have a lot invested in mechanical and electronic aquastats, boiler controls, and set-up. It might be time to start playing again.

I also would look at a completely wireless system or wi-fi with repeater system. My boiler is in the shop, no phone line and beyond the range of the wi-fi in the house.

Jim:

None of my actual sensors have died either, just the little USB controller. This is the one with the two "audio" jacks that plug in, and then the sensors all attach with endless "y" cables. I get it to work, but then within an hour, one of the channels on the USB adapter will crap out. Has happened on three different USB adapters...the little jobs in the green plastic. I think it is the actual USB to serial interface chip.

Are you saying you finally got one of these little USB guys to work reliably for you, or did you have to get to something else? I just want to monitor as well....

I get it to work, but then within an hour, one of the channels on the USB adapter will crap out.

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I was having this trouble too, extremely frustrating. The channel would work, then it would not. After considerable angst I discovered that the sensor, the one provide by the mfr, was intermittent. With the right wiggle or pull on the cable, I could get the sensor to work, sometimes, and then for awhile, and then not at all. I just replaced the sensor and all was OK. What was worse was that my first replacement sensor exhibited the same problem. Drove me crazy. The next sensor replacement was OK.

I don't use endless Y cables to the controller. I use Cat5e, both greens for ground to all sensors, both reds for +5vdc to all sensors, and both oranges (1 plug) and both reds (2nd plug) for data; all connections soldered, and then all coming to the two plug jacks to the controller. This has worked well for sensors up to about 35 feet of cable; haven't tried anything further.

EDIT: What I described was for the LAN 1-wire; not the TemPer 16. I don't know what to do if there is a bad sensor with the 16, as the addressing seems to be fixed and mated to the sensor. I tried to use the 16 controller with 1-wire sensors and I could not get it to work.