[C320-list] Boat monitoring system using home wireless router

[Scott Westwood]

FWIW, I do have a wireless DSL router at our place that I can reach from the boat slip.  That is what, to me, makes sense to take advantage of.
We already have security cameras that I can view through the DSL modem.  Mainly to watch the boat from anywhere.  It's a very safe area.  County Sheriff's mother lives next door.  I'm looking for a monitor system "mainly" for the bilge.  They have a fairly cheap water sensor I can setup.  All it needs is AC power, which I have at the dock.
Ideally I want a water sensor (high water type) that can go through our existing wireless DSL router to send emails when we get high water in the bilge.  Early enough to drive 3 hours and address the issue. Best case is a monitor system that I can connect to (or that can contact me) that will give me the counter type information too so I can see trending increase in bilge pumps.  So far it looks like I may have to use a combination of the two.
Simple wish list.
I am looking at (Thanks to Graeme) the Auto GPS devices but they seem to be all cellular.   I am OK with buying occasional prepaid SIM cards (no monthly fee) but they have to be Verizon in that area.  ATT has basically no coverage there.
Still comparing prices, ease of use, reliability, features, etc...
Keep the ideas coming.....Need more homework.  Now adding home monitors to the mix. 
Thanks,
Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538     C (919)-618-7185 

      From: Utility Email <kswanson123 at comcast.net>
 To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
 Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2017 12:17 PM
 Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boat monitoring system using home wireless router
   
Scott,

We have two homes, one in Seattle and one in San Diego that I monitor remotely.  Since the homes each have cable internet and a wireless router, I have installed remote lighting by Insteon, remote doorbell cameras by Ring, remote door locks and sensors by Samsung Smartthings, and energy monitors for monitoring electrical usage and solar generation (one home has Sense and the other Neurio).  I like this type of tech off and like to tinker and dabble in this space.  

Many of these "internet of things" systems have water monitors for monitoring the presence of water (leaks under a cabinet) that I am sure could be adapted to your boat.  You would need a wireless internet access point and continuous power to connect the "hub" that talks to the device and the internet.  If there is a private owner adjacent to your private dock that would rent you an I tenet connection, that would likely be a low cost way to provide some remote monitoring.  

I have been thinking of ways to do the same for my boat which is moored in a public marina, but the "made for marine" systems seem too costly to purchase and operate.  A friend of mine has adapted a "home based" security system that uses a continuous cellular internet connection to the internet and uses that for remote monitoring of his boat.  However, like me, his boat is only 20 minutes away at a local marina and if something has a glitch, he can conveniently head down to his boat to check it out.  

One thing that I did purchase and use regularly for our boat is a temperature and humidity data logger (http://www.sensorpush.com).  It is a slick device that records temperature and humidity and it saves the data and automatically downloads it onto my mobile phone when we come aboard.  It allows me to keep an eye on how well my on board moisture management (heaters, dehumidifier, dry-z-air, etc.) is doing in the summer and winter months.  It is really slick and easy to use.  

Anyway, if you can get within wireless range and have continuous shore power, purchasing one of the consumer "home based" monitoring systems might be a good way to get started remote monitoring until the "marine grade" systems come down in price.

Dave

David B. Swanson, P.E., S.E.
Principal, LEED AP, F. SEI
Director, Structural Engineering

Reid Middleton, Inc.
(425) 741-3800  office
(425) 741-5011  direct
(425) 508-7971  mobile

www.reidmiddleton.com

Washington | California | Hawaii | Alaska


> On Jun 28, 2017, at 4:24 AM, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> Scott
> Further to my earlier reply, here is a typical tracker at $25 on eBay
> 
> http://ebay.to/2sgxIs8
> 
> Graeme
> 
> Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!
> 
> 
>> On 28 Jun 2017, at 12:17, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
>> 
>> Scott
>> 
>> Once again I can only speak for our setup here in Britain which may be of no help whatsoever, but whilst most peoples' cell phones will be on monthly contract it is possible to buy a simcard only which you can top up with non expiring credit at about $10 a time
>> These will fit into anti theft devices (easily and cheaply available on eBay) designed for vehicles which monitor position and whether a door is opened. That door circuit could easily be adapted to send an alarm when the bilge level gets to a certain point
>> If you can get that same type of sim card in the USA you could do the whole thing for under $100 I reckon
>> I'll find some links on eBay and post them to this thread later
>> Graeme
>> 
>> Sent from mobile: please excuse typos etc.!
>> 
>> 
>>> On 28 Jun 2017, at 11:57, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I am trying to find a way to monitor the boat remotely.  I have looked at Boat Guard, and Boat Command (so far) but these kinds of monitors all seem to use Cellular and have a monthly fee.  
>>> Some background:  I plan to add a second/backup bilge.  Like many people, the boat is 3 hours away but not at a marina.  It is at a private dock and we may not see it for weeks.
>>> I found an AC powered wireless water sensor that I could set in the bilge (In case of pump failure or if they can't keep up).  That would be the cheap way.
>>> The perfect fit for me would be a device like Boat Guard or Boat Command that can connect through a wireless router instead of cellular.  I like the email alerts part of them.
>>> Anybody seen one?  Anybody else doing anything else? 
>>> Thanks,
>>> Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538     C (919)-618-7185 
>