Compost monitoring
Wireless system
Reotemp’s Wireless Compost Monitoring System (WCMS) offers compost facilities an innovative, cost effective, more adaptive way to collect their temperature data. This system offers a better alternative to the hassle and expense of hard-wired cables and/ or manual temperature collection.
There are three components to this wireless compost monitoring system: Computer Software, a Base unit, and Remote Temperature Probes.
Reotemp’s WCMS comes with software which is downloaded to an existing computer or laptop. This software allows users to control, organize, and retrieve data from wireless temperature probes. WCMS sites use the software to label each probe with a personalized location ID. For example, “Pile#1 100ft out”. Each radio board is also manufactured with a factory ID, which is used for further identification of each probe. The software records up to four temperatures for each probe: TC1 (F), TC2 (F), TC3 (F), TC4 (F), and an Ambient Temperature, along with a Time, Date, and Status. Status determines if the probe is successfully transmitting data. If the software is not successful in collecting data from a probe, the probe is highlighted in red to alert the compost facility operator.
The software also contains programmable temperature and battery alarms, which warn operators of high temperatures or low batteries. A scheduler makes temperature collection easy, by allowing the operator to poll each location every five, 10 or 30 minutes, or one, two, four, eight, or 12 hours. Location data can also be manually collected, either individually or all together at any time with the click of a button. The flexibility of this system allows compost managers to decide when, where, and how often they need to collect their data.
The base unit for these systems is the gateway between the computer and the wireless probes in the compost pile(s). The base unit is physically connected to a computer by a serial cord and acts as both a transmitter (by sending commands) and a receiver (by collecting data). Most compost operations will require only one base unit. Range is over 700 feet.
Remote temperature probes work as a team – each one is programmed to take a temperature reading from the compost and send that information back to the WCM computer in the most efficient way possible. Each probe is also a repeater — meaning data is passed from one probe to the next. Probes are manufactured with all stainless steel stems and T-handles, which are welded in place. This design makes Reotemp probes easy to insert and adds durability. The upper housing is a NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X fibreglass enclosure designed to guard against corrosion, extreme temperatures, severe weather, and UV exposure without compromising the radio’s ability to send and receive signals. All standard lengths are available (24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 inches), with custom stem lengths also available. Each probe comes with a long lasting rechargeable NiMH battery (lasts approximately 35 days if polled hourly) and lithium batteries are available.
There are three components to this wireless compost monitoring system: Computer Software, a Base unit, and Remote Temperature Probes.
Reotemp’s WCMS comes with software which is downloaded to an existing computer or laptop. This software allows users to control, organize, and retrieve data from wireless temperature probes. WCMS sites use the software to label each probe with a personalized location ID. For example, “Pile#1 100ft out”. Each radio board is also manufactured with a factory ID, which is used for further identification of each probe. The software records up to four temperatures for each probe: TC1 (F), TC2 (F), TC3 (F), TC4 (F), and an Ambient Temperature, along with a Time, Date, and Status. Status determines if the probe is successfully transmitting data. If the software is not successful in collecting data from a probe, the probe is highlighted in red to alert the compost facility operator.
The software also contains programmable temperature and battery alarms, which warn operators of high temperatures or low batteries. A scheduler makes temperature collection easy, by allowing the operator to poll each location every five, 10 or 30 minutes, or one, two, four, eight, or 12 hours. Location data can also be manually collected, either individually or all together at any time with the click of a button. The flexibility of this system allows compost managers to decide when, where, and how often they need to collect their data.
The base unit for these systems is the gateway between the computer and the wireless probes in the compost pile(s). The base unit is physically connected to a computer by a serial cord and acts as both a transmitter (by sending commands) and a receiver (by collecting data). Most compost operations will require only one base unit. Range is over 700 feet.
Remote temperature probes work as a team – each one is programmed to take a temperature reading from the compost and send that information back to the WCM computer in the most efficient way possible. Each probe is also a repeater — meaning data is passed from one probe to the next. Probes are manufactured with all stainless steel stems and T-handles, which are welded in place. This design makes Reotemp probes easy to insert and adds durability. The upper housing is a NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X fibreglass enclosure designed to guard against corrosion, extreme temperatures, severe weather, and UV exposure without compromising the radio’s ability to send and receive signals. All standard lengths are available (24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 inches), with custom stem lengths also available. Each probe comes with a long lasting rechargeable NiMH battery (lasts approximately 35 days if polled hourly) and lithium batteries are available.
