© 2011 ControlOMatic, Inc. Grass Valley, California, USA
PoolWarden WIFI Communication Option
Introducing the water chemistry chemical controller communication option that makes sense. Internet-based WIFI that allows you to tap into your existing wireless network bypassing monthly charges for cell phone based or satellite communication. Forget the hassles of phone lines, Ethernet lines, intermittent cellular coverage, external boxes, and monthly service charges to the phone company.
When ordered with the WIFI all you have to do is screw the antenna to the RF connector on top of the PoolWarden and set the network parameters, similar to connecting a smart phone to the network at Starbucks. If the room doesn't have reasonable WIFI signal there is an optional 10 foot antenna extension allowing you to try different locations in the room for a good signal.
PoolWarden Data Service
The data service has a monthly charge of $15 per month, or 5 years for the price of 4. The data service is entirely optional and not required for WIFI communication but it does add some nice features.
- Data Recording: The PoolWarden doesn't include recording the ORP, pH or temperature sensor readings. With the data service these readings and many more including relay on times, flow and alarm status are sent to the data server for later viewing.
- Data Recording Rate: Select 15 minutes, 30 minutes or each hour.
- Service Access: A nice feature is the Service Pin Entry. When someone services the pool or spa they can enter a PIN code into the PoolWarden. This will cause a data packet to be sent to the server logging the date and time that PIN code was entered. You can setup those who can service the pool along with their code for when you look at the service reports it will show their name.
- Email on Alarms: In order to keep the PoolWarden simple it doesn't include some features that have been added to the data server. Sending Email is built into the data server and not the PoolWarden. If you want to change your email address you only have to change it in the data server.
- Plotting: Looking at the data graphically by day and month can show more than looking at the data in number form.
- One Year data server is included with the WIFI.
- Doesn't require any special Router setup, allow the router to assign an IP address to the PoolWarden.
PoolWarden Direct WIFI Communication
ControlOMatic supplies the Windows communication program 'poolwarden.exe' that can be used to directly communicate with the PoolWarden using the WIFI. This allows for viewing and editing the setup of the PoolWarden. The data service is used for viewing data that the PoolWarden has sent to the server and not for communicating directly with the controller. Direct Communication add the following features:
- Main Software Update: If ControlOMatic releases new PoolWarden software it is a very simple matter to update the software over the WIFI. Forget the hassle of replacing a memory chip, taking a laptop to the site or sending the unit in to be updated.
- Virtual Screen: PoolWarden.exe uses a virtual screen with communicating with a PoolWarden. Once you learn how to use and setup a PoolWarden with all the menus, communicating with a virtual screen is the same, no need to learn another method to look at data and edit settings.
- Edit the Setup: Edit any of the settings except for security, security can only be setup at the PoolWarden front panel.
- Security: Setup the internal security by adding a master and service password. When communicating these must be entered to get to any of the screens where anything can be changed. It is very difficult to hack in as the protocol is not standard, the password when being entered remotely isn't sent at the same time, you can set the port and the communication software is only available to PoolWarden owners.
- Setup of the direct connect depends on the capabilities of the router and your requirements. If you want to be able to connect and make changes from anywhere then the PoolWarden must be installed on the Internet side of the router, before the firewall. If you only want to make changes to the PoolWarden from within the same WIFI that the PoolWarden is connected to then the PoolWarden can be connected after the firewall to also gain the protection of the firewall, but communication from outside the firewall will not be possible.
Communication On The Network Side: When the PoolWarden is added to the network it can be put on the network side which has the protection of the facilities firewall. This is the easiest method and all that is needed to setup the WIFI is the name and security settings of the network. This has no effect on the data server, the PoolWarden will be able to send data irrespective of the firewall.
Communication From Anywhere: This is the recommended location as then communication will be possible from anywhere and updates could be performed if requested by ControlOMatic. The router must be able to support routing to a server or a DMZ (demilitarized zone). The PoolWarden IP address can be set (DHCP turned off) so the IP address is always the same.