[Hai-users] RE: Temp sensors accuracy again. [Brett]

[Kenneth McLeod]

As I write this I am looking on my desk at an Extech digital
thermometer/hygrometer ($30) that reads the humidity accurately +/- 3%.  It
can be done.

I think the major complaint issue here (at least in my case) is not a 3%
error with the HAI sensor, rather typically 30 - 35 %. For an $80 sensor
that is designed to work with the highly reliable HAI systems, I expect
better.  It can be an embarassment to have to explain to the customer to
"pay no attention to what the humidity actually reads, it's way off, but we
have fudged it so that it accomplishes the function we need".

As mentioned before, I have yet to get one that is better than 20% off in
its humidity measurement.
Temperature has been generally quite accurate, the worst being 4 deg. F off.

Ken McLeod
Integrated Home Technologies


***ORIGINAL MESSAGE***
Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 22:45:51 -0800
From: "Brett Griffin" <brett at architechtronics.com>
Subject: RE: [Hai-users] Temp sensors accuracy again.

(snip)
The same being true for humidity. What are you guys doing that requires such
high accuracy in your home?  The application I have run are like turning the
bathroom fan on while taking a shower.  The humidity will climb close to
100% so I write rules that if it exceeds 70% turn the fan on.  If you have
an air conditioned home, your humidity levels will swing between 30-45%
Much beyond those levels you got problems like static electricity build up
and mold.  Again I don't see an application that requires such high
accuracy.

Now I understand the concerns of what's expected and what's reflected are
not the same thing and that is a legitimate complaint.

Now to my next question, I am done Ranting, now I am pondering...

If you could buy a $20 radio shack sensor and make it work with the HAI
system, would you buy them over the $80 temp sensor?  What if the accuracy
was +/- 2 degrees.  Would you buy one for general use like I do, and buy the
higher accuracy ones for humidors and wine cellars, where the accuracy was
more critical?

Just trying to get insight to your concerns, and by now means do I intend to
derate your complaints.

Brett Griffin
Architechtronics
www.architechtronics.com <http://www.architechtronics.com/>