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  • 1.  Advice on Environmental Monitoring instruments

    Posted 08-19-2020 02:30 PM
    Good afternoon everyone, 

    I'm hoping you all can help by providing some advice. In the past, my institution has used the grey box hygrothermographs (Model 225-5020-A NovaLynx Hygrothermographs) to monitor our exhibition spaces. I would like to buy a set of digital sensors that can be placed throughout the museum. These sensors would send temperature and humidity readings to one monitor that I would place in my office. 

    Does anyone solely use digital hygrothermographs? If so, is there a particular brand or model you recommend? Can we retain our AAM accreditation by using digital hygrothermographs?

    I really appreciate any help you can provide. We are a small institution, and I am the sole registrar, collections manager, and exhibitions assistant. I already use one digital hygrothermograph in one of our storage spaces and it's such a breeze to use it. I don't want to buy eight or nine of this particular model, but I would like to switch to solely digital instruments if possible. 

    Looking forward to your responses!

    Sincerely,

    Caitlin Clay

    Registrar
    Art Museum of Southeast Texas
    Beaumont, Texas

    P: (409) 832-3432


  • 2.  RE: Advice on Environmental Monitoring instruments

    Posted 08-20-2020 10:20 AM
    Hi Caitlin, 

    I acquired a few digital sensors from SensorPush (www.sensorpush.com). I started with a couple and then added more, plus their Wifi Gateway so that I can monitor the conditions directly from an app on my phone. It's easy to download data; I can see conditions in real time and track statistics hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.

    The ease of use/flexibility is great and having the Wifi Gateway lets me check on conditions from home or wherever I am from my phone. You can set up alerts for low/high humidity levels. During times of extended closure, it really gives peace of mind (or panic!) when conditions go beyond your specifications. I originally tested against a hygrothermograph and have found the readings to be in-line with each other. Happy to answer any questions if you have any. 

    Best,
    Stacey

    ------------------------------
    Stacey Swigart
    Stacey Swigart
    Collections Management
    Atwater Kent Collection @ Drexel​
    Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships
    Drexel University
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Advice on Environmental Monitoring instruments

    Posted 08-20-2020 11:06 AM
    Hi Stacey,

    Thank you for the recommendation! Are the sensors battery-powered? Also, do you have any issues with using them if the power goes out or the Wifi goes down?

    We are situated near a river and about 45 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricanes are very real problem for us and I wouldn't want to lose my sensors when I need them most if we were in the middle of a natural disaster. 

    Sincerely,

    Caitlin

    ------------------------------
    Caitlin Clay
    Art Museum of Southeast Texas
    Beaumont TX
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Advice on Environmental Monitoring instruments

    Posted 08-20-2020 11:41 AM
    Caitlin,

    They are battery powered. A couple I have had for over a year and haven't had to change the battery yet! The app gives you a mini summary of how many samples are saved, when you last looked at it, the battery voltage and last seen strength. 

    If the power goes out, they continue monitoring - although I might not have access to the data remotely on my phone if the Wifi Gateway goes down. It still records everything and when I can fix the Wifi and resync, the data is all there. We have had a number of storms knocking out the power and I still had all the data that was logged.

    Adding sensors is so easy as well - you just hold it up to the phone, then enter your Temp and R/H parameters. Good to go! 

    Stacey


    ------------------------------
    Stacey Swīgart
    Collections Management
    Atwater Kent Collection @ Drexel​
    Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships
    Drexel University
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


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