Forum Discussion

dodge_guy's avatar
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jun 22, 2018

cell phone as WiFi for smart t-stat?

So, We were contemplating bringing our dog with us on this trip. the only reason we never have is we worry about power outages and the A/C going off. So I got to thinking of installing a smart T-stat and leaving my cell phone behind as a hot spot that the T-stat will be connected to. has anyone done this? if so how well does it work.

We have a smart T-stat in our house and I can set it up to give me a warning of huge temp fluctuations or it will even tell me if the power went out. Just thinking out loud here. I know I would need good cell service, which we will be in Jersey City and then in Cape May so service should be good.

What does everyone think, and BTW, we have never take our dog on long trips, but my FIL is getting older and its not as easy for him to watch the dog.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Jun 22, 2018
    dodge guy wrote:
    Like I said, I was just thinking out loud. And yes, if a trailer is sitting in the sun and the power goes out the trailer will heat up like an oven. Ye it would probably be OK for and hour or 2, but If I got a text of power outage I wouldn't just keep on site seeing and forget about my animals! Chances are slim it would happen, but its always a possibility.

    I guess my point is changing thermostat and using cell phone is far from foolproof. Slip someone at the CG $10.00 to call you if the power goes out. But even if the power goes out, the dog is not guaranteed to perish. A dog can survive 100ยบ temps. for a few hours.You are not leaving the dog for a week you are leaving him for 8 hours or so.
    I've been leaving my dog in the RV every trip for 10 years now and he's still around to bark about it.:)
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Jun 22, 2018
    Like I said, I was just thinking out loud. And yes, if a trailer is sitting in the sun and the power goes out the trailer will heat up like an oven. Ye it would probably be OK for and hour or 2, but If I got a text of power outage I wouldn't just keep on site seeing and forget about my animals! Chances are slim it would happen, but its always a possibility.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jun 22, 2018
    there are generator auto start controls that interface with temp controllers

    there are alert systems, that monitor and can dial a phone to call you

    temp monitoring questions come up every summer

    best option, shore power , set a/c stat, leave

    second option auto start generator

    wifi smart stat needing internet is way down the list
  • Isaac-1's avatar
    Isaac-1
    Explorer
    Jun 22, 2018
    Keep in mind most newer RV air conditioners have proprietary thermostat controls and can't be interfaced with common residential thermostats.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Jun 22, 2018
    I take my dog all the time. Long trips, short trips and everything in between.
    I don't think the dog is going to perish in one day if the A/C fails. Your not going to death valley. Dogs have been around long before air conditioning existed.
    The trailer is not going to get suffocatingly hot like a closed up car.
    Are you really going to leave the top of the statue of Liberty if you get a text from the thermostat?
    Or get back on the Ferry and leave Martha's Vineyard due to an alert?
    You could be hours away even if you dropped what your doing and hurried.
    If you are really concerned ask the CG to call your cell if there is a power failure. Otherwise be sure the water bowl is full and go have fun.

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