Remote monitoring by SMS

[nimbusgb]

I'm looking to install an SMS based monitoring system on our boat. I want to leave the solar panels connected via the charge controller to the batteries to ensure they stay in condition. ( After much discussion I have decided that's the way to go. After all why have the solar panels without using them. The boat stands unattended for as much as a year at a time - working for a living is a bummer! )

I want to monitor the following
mains input status - not usually connected but usefull to know.
2 * battery voltages with high and low alarms
2 * inputs - I may use one for PIR sensor, high bilge level or something and one as a bilge pump monitor - boat is ashore but it would be nice to have the facility if I do leave it afloat for a period ( not much you can do apart from 'phone a friend' or the marina ) but at least you know there's a problem. Also while boat is ashore I'd know if that hatch is leaking again when it rains!
2 outputs - perhaps for anti frost heating and to disconnect the solar panels if it all goes tits up!
Temperature and humidity sensors.

I should be able to set some sort of alarm levels and the period at which monitoring messages are sent.

There are 10's of these devices around but most have only some of the required inputs and outputs. Those that 'have it all' are ****** expensive.

Does anyone have any experience of a low priced version with the whistles and bells?

 

[lenseman]

I used to be the electronic design engineer for AB Pharos Marine and one of my jobs was to design exactly this type of remote monitoring equipment for fairway buoys in the Middle East.

I was able to design and manufacture a small unit which allowed 16 user definable circuits with specific SMS messges for each alarm:

Solar panels not charging
Tamper Alarm
Bilge Pump on
Bilge pump failed
Battery voltage low
Battery Voltage critical
Engine running
Anchor Drag Alarm (encorporated using Garmin GPS 152).

This type of equipment is bespoke. I even had one customer ask for an alarm to trigger when someone was on board BUT it must not be PIR or radar or IR and no pressure mats allowed as the boat was from the 1890's and had to look authentic. Deck equipment can also be covered (theft of outboard, liferaft etc).

When it comes to cheap, it all depends on what you consider cheap. Some units on the market are priced excessively.

 

[nimbusgb]

£100 gets a pretty useless 2 input system
£500 for an expandable system, probably £700 before you sort out the extras needed.

£200 - £300 seems to be the closest but nothing in that price range gets all the features I want.

 

[wizard]

I used to be the electronic design engineer for AB Pharos Marine and one of my jobs was to design exactly this type of remote monitoring equipment for fairway buoys in the Middle East.

I was able to design and manufacture a small unit which allowed 16 user definable circuits with specific SMS messges for each alarm:

Solar panels not charging
Tamper Alarm
Bilge Pump on
Bilge pump failed
Battery voltage low
Battery Voltage critical
Engine running
Anchor Drag Alarm (encorporated using Garmin GPS 152).

This type of equipment is bespoke. I even had one customer ask for an alarm to trigger when someone was on board BUT it must not be PIR or radar or IR and no pressure mats allowed as the boat was from the 1890's and had to look authentic. Deck equipment can also be covered (theft of outboard, liferaft etc).

When it comes to cheap, it all depends on what you consider cheap. Some units on the market are priced excessively.

Are you still able to make this sort of thing then?

 

[lenseman]

Hello Geoff, yes I do but it doesn't use UNIX.

Usually all are one-offs as all are different and people have differing requirements which can be challenging.

 

[emnick]

Remote

Think the nearest to your requirement is Yacht Sentinal expensive though. Try searching caravan alarms on Ebay.
I use a device that has 6 inputs and 4 outputs one relay. Made by a company called GJD I think they call it a GD06. You can then buy different inputs eg contacts, sensors for bilge etc. although hard wired I think the latest one has a temp sensor built in. You can then track with a company called map a mobile or similar although a phone signal will be necessary. Not sure how you could interface a GPS but have thought of interfacing with anchor drag alarm beeper but would have to leave GPS on.

Clever bit of kit that you can program over the internet or by SMS

Good luck

 

[nimbusgb]

Looks like I'm going to have to build something myself. I spent a lot of my early career doing this sort of stuff for the military. I was hoping there was something available off the shelf I feel another Arduino project coming on

Yacht sentinel - £400 kick off price. £16.99 for a pair of door contacts that can be had in any alarm shop, Maplin, RS or Farnell. No thank you

I am not interested in GPS tracking although that's pretty easy to do really. I have a spot tracker ( slightly modified ) that will log location 24 * 7 as long as the main batteries are turned on. It's also not dependent on the GSM network since it works through the Iridium sat phone network.