Humidistat with computer interface

[John Haskey]

I need a humidistat with some sort of computer interface (serial? network?)
monitor the humidity in a large room. If I can find one that's inexpensive
enough I'd like to get a couple. Any recommendations?

---john.

[Gavin Jacobs]

John,
Not sure if you want a 'humistat' (i.e. the thing that controls your humidifier) or a 'humidity sensor' (i.e. something that gives a
reading of humidity); but since you mention computer interface, I suspect the latter.

Here is how I measure humidity:
I got a Honeywell HIH-3610 sensor (~US$10) and a Dallas DS2438 (US$2). The circuit is described in the Dallas Application Note. You
can build it yourself IF you know how to solder those surface mount devices (e.g. on a surf-board), or use the kit from PH Anderson
(US$40). Then you interface the DS2348 to the serial port of your PC using a Dallas DS9097U (US$30). You can use the free software
from Dallas to display the humidity, or you can use the SDK to write your own.

Links:
Honeywell HIH-3610
http://content.honeywell.com/sensing/prodinfo/humiditymoisture/009012_2.pdf

Dallas Application Note:
http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/an/app755A.pdf

Dallas storefront:
http://shop.maxim-ic.com/cgi-bin/Maxim.storefront/1765766678/Search

PH Anderson sensor kit
http://www.phanderson.com/rh166/rh166.html

This is probably as low cost as you can get, but it's still a lot more than just a humidity gauge. Watch out for shipping charges,
which will add up considerably if you buy small quantities. Note: you can get free samples of the DS2438, but not the DS9097U.


Gavin


"John Haskey" <johnh@panix.com> wrote in message news:ct96g7$abf$1@reader1.panix.com...
>I need a humidistat with some sort of computer interface (serial? network?)
> monitor the humidity in a large room. If I can find one that's inexpensive
> enough I'd like to get a couple. Any recommendations?
>
> ---john.

[John Haskey]

In article <VN_Jd.153833$KO5.35649@clgrps13>,
Gavin Jacobs <notasnoball@inhell.com> wrote:
>John,
>Not sure if you want a 'humistat' (i.e. the thing that controls your
>humidifier) or a 'humidity sensor' (i.e. something that gives a
>reading of humidity); but since you mention computer interface, I
>suspect the latter.

Your suspicion is accurate! Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

---john.

>
>Here is how I measure humidity:
>I got a Honeywell HIH-3610 sensor (~US$10) and a Dallas DS2438 (US$2).
>The circuit is described in the Dallas Application Note. You
>can build it yourself IF you know how to solder those surface mount
>devices (e.g. on a surf-board), or use the kit from PH Anderson
>(US$40). Then you interface the DS2348 to the serial port of your PC
>using a Dallas DS9097U (US$30). You can use the free software
>from Dallas to display the humidity, or you can use the SDK to write your own.
>
>Links:
>Honeywell HIH-3610
>http://content.honeywell.com/sensing/prodinfo/humiditymoisture/009012_2.pdf
>
>Dallas Application Note:
>http://pdfserv.maxim-ic.com/en/an/app755A.pdf
>
>Dallas storefront:
>http://shop.maxim-ic.com/cgi-bin/Maxim.storefront/1765766678/Search
>
>PH Anderson sensor kit
>http://www.phanderson.com/rh166/rh166.html
>
>This is probably as low cost as you can get, but it's still a lot more
>than just a humidity gauge. Watch out for shipping charges,
>which will add up considerably if you buy small quantities. Note: you
>can get free samples of the DS2438, but not the DS9097U.
>
>
>Gavin
>
>
>"John Haskey" <johnh@panix.com> wrote in message
>news:ct96g7$abf$1@reader1.panix.com...
>>I need a humidistat with some sort of computer interface (serial? network?)
>> monitor the humidity in a large room. If I can find one that's inexpensive
>> enough I'd like to get a couple. Any recommendations?
>>
>> ---john.
>
>

[Sylvan Butler]

On Thu, 27 Jan 2005 05:15:33 GMT, Gavin Jacobs <notasnoball@inhell.com>
wrote:
> humidifier) or a 'humidity sensor' (i.e. something that gives a
> reading of humidity); but since you mention computer interface, I

A "hygrometer". Of course, once your computer has a hygrometer, it is
pretty easy to make it into a humistat. :)

> I got a Honeywell HIH-3610 sensor (~US$10) and a Dallas DS2438 (US$2).
> The circuit is described in the Dallas Application Note. You can build
> it yourself IF you know how to solder those surface mount devices
> (e.g. on a surf-board), or use the kit from PH Anderson

I have the same pieces. Another source is http://www.aag.com.mx/ I've
never done business with them, but people in various 1-wire forums give
them very good reviews.

> (US$40). Then you interface the DS2348 to the serial port of your PC
> using a Dallas DS9097U (US$30).

USB interface also available (DS9490R, $25 at AAG, same as DS9097U).

> You can use the free software from
> Dallas to display the humidity, or you can use the SDK to write your

Or many other people also provide software. Some free, some not. Some
open source, some not. I've used (in addition to self-written stuff)
http://oww.sf.net/ and http://www.henriksens.net/1-wire/

sdb
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