A lot of issues with other wireless monitoring devices stem from the fact that these devices use Wi-Fi to transmit data. Wi-Fi has range limitations that can make it a poor choice for institutions. Even in your home, you've probably noticed signal strength can vary greatly. Not to mention the security protocols your IT department has in place to protect your connected devices from viruses that you have to navigate.
Conserv uses LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) instead. LoRaWAN is long range compared to Wi-Fi and uses much less power to transmit signals. Because it is a lower frequency than Wi-Fi, the signal can travel further and through obstructions easier. It's also not a commonly used frequency, so it's less crowded and it is easier to get a clear signal. It can't handle large amounts of data, which makes it great for sending small amounts of data (like sensor readings), but not great if you're trying to stream videos.
- The Conserv Smart Collections Sensor is the standard indoor sensor. It monitors the major causes of damage to objects: temperature, relative humidity, illuminance and UV index.
- The Cold Storage Sensor is for monitoring cold storage or low-temperature/freezing treatments. It measures temperature and relative humidity.
- The Leak Detector uses two metal prongs to determine if there is a water leak.
- The Outdoor Relative Humidity & Temperature Sensor goes outside your building to help determine how the outdoor conditions are effecting your objects.
- How many total rooms do you need to monitor?
- Are any of those rooms over 1,000 square feet?
- Estimate the number of additional zones or microclimates you will need to monitor.
- Consider that external walls, windows/skylights, large airducts or features that divide the space may create environmental variations.
- Are there any display cases or closed cabinets that you want to monitor?
- Are there any specific collection items, outside of an exhibit case, that you need to monitor?
- This can be for loan documentation, light evaluation… etc.
Placement first and foremost depends on what is most important to your collection in terms of monitoring.
A good place to start is with a floor plan of your location to help determine where best to place sensors. Placement can affect the accuracy of the data you collect. It’s important to consider the location of air vents, heating, cooling or humidity control equipment and proximity to doors and windows as they can skew your data. (Unless, of course, you’re looking to monitor their impact on the environment.)
Avoid placing sensors in direct sunlight. The heat can skew the temperature and relative humidity readings.
If you need to monitor very cold locations, we recommend using a cold storage sensor. While the Smart Conservation Sensor is rated for below freezing temperatures, however the battery life will be drastically reduced.
Gathering a full year of data is recommended before making any large-scale changes. Climate conditions in a single space can differ greatly during the seasons.
Conserv's Smart Collections Sensors can be mounted using the magnets embedded in the back of the sensor or using the included Command™ strips.
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No, for a couple of reasons.
First, the biggest power drain on wireless sensors is the transmitting of data. The use of LoRaWAN instead of Wi-Fi, allows for data to be transmitted more frequently and use less power to do so, limiting the drain on the sensor's batteries.
Second, battery replacement is included in your Conserv Subscription! At the end of your 3-year subscription, Conserv will handle recalibration and battery replacement.
Conserv does!
It's included as part of your subscription. At the end of your 3-year subscription, when you renew your service, Conserv will send you replacement sensors. You will then send them back your original sensors.
