We take a lot of pride in our support. Whether you need help with the sensor devices or apps, or just want to kick around good ideas on when/where/how to use them, let us know. We're always interested in making sure you get the most value from your purchase. Our engineering team is directly responsible for support, so you will often communicate directly with one of the app or device engineers.
Please contact us at support@sensorpush.com with any questions. Someone from the engineering team (one of the actual product developers) will get back to you within 24 hours, often sooner.
How do I set up my new sensor?
...
We're really sorry you're having trouble. The following steps will almost certainly get the system up and running though.
If none of the above has worked and you have a Gateway device that you have already paired, it is possible that the Bluetooth is switched off in the SensorPush app itself. That gets turned off after you start using a Gateway. To turn it temporarily back on for pairing do the following:
If you're still having trouble, please contact us at support@sensorpush.com for more assistance.
How do I set up my new Gateway?...
Gateway set up is very straightforward. There are a few pointers to help you get started when it arrives. You can find them on the gateway set up page.
How do I configure alerts?...
Alert settings are found on the sensor settings page in the app. To access sensor settings, tap a sensor in the main list and then tap the button in the upper-right corner of the sensor details page.
You'll see two sliders, one for temperature and one for humidity. Each slider has two handles. The area between these two handles is the desired range of conditions. If the "Alert Me" toggle is enabled, you'll be notified whenever conditions leave this zone.
Alerts are sent using notifications, which is the same technology news companies employ to send out breaking news alerts.
Here are a few examples:
Alert above 110°F | Alert below 32°F |
 |  |
Alert when humidity is below 40% or above 60% | Alert when temperature is below 65°F or above 75°F and when humidity is below 40% or above 60% |
 |  |
Can I calibrate my SensorPush sensor? How?...
First you will need an accurate reference for temperature and/or humidity. Each value is calibrated separately and you can choose to calibrate one, both or neither as necessary. Accuracy of the uncalibrated sensor can be found in the full specifications.
Calibration is only intended to correct for small variations (typically up to a few degrees or around 5% relative humidity). If you're seeing a bigger discrepancy than that while calibrating, please contact us, as that would indicate that there's a problem with either the calibration process or your sensor. We'll be happy to help sort it out.
If you have a trusted thermometer or hygrometer that you know to be very accurate, you can use it as a reference. Simply place it next to the SensorPush in a stable environment, let them sit for at least 30 minutes to acclimate to each other, be sure you have an updated reading and then use the calibration controls (shown below) to adjust the SensorPush to match the reference. The sensor settings page can be accessed by tapping the button in the top right corner of the graph screen.
If you don't have a reference device, you can still calibrate your sensor. Ice water makes a great temperature reference. Just mix up a bowl of ice water, with a good even mixture of ice and water. Give it a good stir and let it sit while you seal your SensorPush in a zip-top baggie. Get as much air out of the bag as possible. Place the SensorPush (inside the baggie) into the ice water mixture. It's best to leave the zip top out of the water, just in case it doesn't seal entirely.
Give the SensorPush at least 30 minutes to acclimate, be sure you have an updated reading and then adjust the calibration controls so the value reads exactly 32.0°F (0.0°C)
If you have any difficulties, consider these tips:
For calibrating humidity, the "salt test" is quite popular, and instructions can be found readily on the Internet. The chemical principle is sound and it can work quite well, but we find it to be difficult to execute consistently and accurately.
Calibrating to an inaccurate reference can be worse than not calibrating at all, so we prefer the Boveda One-Step Hygrometer Calibration Kit, available for less than $10 on Amazon.
Just open the baggie, seal your SensorPush inside and place it at room temperature in a location with minimal temperature variations. Let it sit undisturbed for at least 24-36 hours, be sure you have an updated reading and then adjust the calibration controls to read exactly 75.0% humidity. Keep the calibration kit sealed and you can use it multiple times for at least 3 months after the initial test.
How long will the battery last?...
Typical battery life is 1-2 years; more in warm conditions and less in extreme cold.
Thankfully, it is a replaceable battery. You will mostly likely need to purchase the replacement online. They are uncommon at hardware stores, but you can find them for sale from quite a few different outlets such as Amazon and various specialized battery retailers.
When it's time to change it, the process is quick and easy. Just follow these simple instructions.
The easiest way to open the case is with an old credit card or similar plastic card. Hold the sensor with the back facing you (the side with the seam) and with the text upright. Using a corner of the credit card, slide back and forth along the top seam pushing inward until the card penetrates slightly (squeezing the left and right sides of the sensor can help).
Then slide the card along the top edge to the left side and pry outward and the back cover will come off. The circuit board will then come out on its own. It's positioned by two plastic pegs but is only held in by the back cover. The battery is on the back of the board. It's a CR2477 lithium coin cell. The + side of the battery should face away from the circuit board.
Reassembly is the reverse, with one trick: it's easier to replace the back cover if you put the top side in first, as the bottom has two smaller pegs that are designed to snap in more easily.
I changed the battery in my sensor, so why is my Gateway not picking it up? First, check to see that your mobile device's Bluetooth is ON.
Next, check to see if the Bluetooth is on in the SensorPush app as well. Here's how: 1.) Open the app, and from the main screen (the screen with the word "Devices" at the top) select the button in the top left to open app settings. 2.) Once in app settings you'll notice a section called "Configuration" with a switch for Bluetooth. Switch it ON.
Then, bring the phone into close range of the sensors (e.g. same room). This should help wake them up and put the sensor device fully into its regular power mode.
One last thing to try is to re-add the sensor to the app essentially like it's a new sensor. The app will likely produce an error and state "Sensor already paired as..." but this will also re-activate the sensor.
If none of the above works, please contact us at support@sensorpush.com.
How many days of readings can the sensor store? And what happens after that?...
Both the sensor and the app store data.
The sensor automatically maintains a backup of the most recent 20 days of readings, so while you are away from the sensor, it will continue to record the conditions. When the sensor reaches 20 days, it starts to overwrite the oldest data points.
Once the data is picked up by the app, then that data is stored indefinitely by the app on your mobile device.
Similarly, once the data is picked up by a SensorPush G1 Gateway (when a Gateway is used in conjunction with the sensor), then the data is stored indefinitely in the SensorPush cloud.
How do I export my data from the app?...
If you tap a sensor in the "Current Conditions" home screen, you're taken to a screen with details about that sensor. Scroll all the way down below the graphs to the bottom of that screen. There you will find a button that allows you to download all the data as a spreadsheet in CSV format which works with Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet software.
You'll be able to email the spreadsheet(s) to yourself once it finishes compiling.
Tip: A handful of users have mentioned that the default Windows extraction tool is not working to open the zip files with CSV in them. They've solved it by using 7zip to open the zip file. We're looking into some possible issues on our end. Very sorry for the inconvenience!
Can I use multiple sensors with my one app?...
There's no set limit to the number of sensors you can pair with a single mobile device. I often will use a dozen or so sensors simultaneously with my one phone.
Also along these lines, a single sensor can simultaneously pair with multiple mobile devices.
If you plan to use your sensors in conjunction with a SensorPush WiFi Gateway, same general rules apply. There's no set limit to the number of sensors you can pair with a Gateway. Also, you can have multiple Gateways on one account. They can be in the same location or they can be in separate locations.
Can multiple mobile devices monitor a sensor simultaneously?...
A single sensor can simultaneously pair with multiple mobile devices.
Similarly, there's no set limit to the number of sensors you can pair with a single mobile device. I often will use a dozen or so sensors simultaneously with my one phone.
If you plan to use your sensors in conjunction with a SensorPush WiFi Gateway, same general rules apply. There's no set limit to the number of sensors you can pair with a Gateway. Also, you can have multiple Gateways on one account. They can be in the same location or they can be in separate locations.
Something else to consider about this when using a Gateway (only)... Additional mobile devices can simultaneously log into the same account provided you use the same email and password. You will not need to add the sensors, nor the gateway to these additional mobile devices devices. This is because the sensor(s) and gateway(s) are already associated with the account.
Just download the app to an additional mobile device. Open the app to the main screen (the screen with the word "Devices" at the top), and then select the settings button in the far upper left. Once in the settings screen you will see the option to login.
After you log in using the same login credentials, turn off the Bluetooth switch below in the "Configuration" section. Then return to the main screen of the app where you will see the sensor(s) and gateway(s) on that account. It can take several minutes to download all the data from the cloud.
Can more than one mobile device be logged into the Gateway simultaneously?...
Additional mobile devices can simultaneously log into the same account provided you use the same email and password. You will not need to add the sensors, nor the gateway to these additional mobile devices devices. This is because the sensor(s) and gateway(s) are already associated with the account.
Just download the app to an additional mobile device. Open the app to the main screen (the screen with the word "Devices" at the top), and then select the settings button in the far upper left. Once in the settings screen you will see the option to login.
After you log in using the same login credentials, turn off the Bluetooth switch below in the "Configuration" section. Then return to the main screen of the app where you will see the sensor(s) and gateway(s) on that account. It can take several minutes to download all the data from the cloud.
Do I need a SensorPush G1 WiFi Gateway, or can I just use the sensor? ...
The sensors use Bluetooth LE to communicate, so on their own they are limited to Bluetooth range (e.g. around the house - like a Bluetooth speaker).
If you would like to monitor SensorPush sensors remotely (e.g. away from the house), you need to use them in conjunction with a SensorPush WiFi Gateway, which relays the data of any in-range SensorPush sensors to the internet using your local WiFi or Ethernet to your network.
The other advantage is that is you are using the Gateway and multiple mobile devices are simultaneously monitoring the account, then your devices can stay configured and remain in sync. This means, if an alert setting is adjust in one location, it will also apply to the other mobile devices.
Does this sensor use WiFi?...
The sensors use Bluetooth LE to communicate, so on their own they are limited to Bluetooth range (e.g. around the house - like a Bluetooth speaker).
If you would like to monitor SensorPush sensors remotely (e.g. away from the house), you need to use them in conjunction with a SensorPush WiFi Gateway, which relays the data of any in-range SensorPush sensors to the internet using your local WiFi or Ethernet to your network.
The reason the sensors use Bluetooth LE to communicate is because it's more cost effective hardware than WiFi and it uses a great deal less power, so the batteries last a lot longer (in many cases 2 years) and the sample rate of the sensor can be a lot higher than if it used WiFi. A lot of sensors with on-board WiFi will sample once every 15 minutes instead of once per minute (like our SensorPush sensors), and their batteries die after a couple of months instead of a year or more -- which is a real annoyance when you're measuring hard-to-reach places like a crawlspace under a house.
So with a Gateway, you can not only add WiFi capability, but because of the lower cost sensor, you can have a larger array of energy efficient sensors pushing to the cloud for remote monitoring for a lot less cost. Plus, the SensorPush cloud service is included in the purchase price, so there's not monthly fee for the Gateway.
We may eventually move in the direction of wifi once it's possible to have more efficient systems.
How do I remove a Gateway from my account?...
Here's what you need to do to remove the Gateway from your account so it can be used with another account.
1.) Make sure you are within range of the Gateway (e.g. that you are in the same room).
2.) Go to app settings inside the SensorPush app and verify that you are logged in. Here's how:
3.) While still in app settings verify that Bluetooth is on in the section called "Configuration" with a switch for Bluetooth. Switch it ON.
4.) Verify also that the bluetooth for the the mobile device is ON.
5.) Return to the main screen of the app and select the Gateway you want to remove from the account.
6.) Then select the "remove" option.
Once finished, the Gateway is removed from the account and can be used with a different account.
How do I set up my new sensor?...
We're really sorry you're having trouble. The following steps will almost certainly get the system up and running though.
If none of the above has worked and you have a Gateway device that you have already paired, it is possible that the Bluetooth is switched off in the SensorPush app itself. That gets turned off after you start using a Gateway. To turn it temporarily back on for pairing do the following:
If you're still having trouble, please contact us at support@sensorpush.com for more assistance.
How do I set up my new Gateway?...
Gateway set up is very straightforward. There are a few pointers to help you get started when it arrives. You can find them on the gateway set up page.
How do I configure alerts?...
Alert settings are found on the sensor settings page in the app. To access sensor settings, tap a sensor in the main list and then tap the button in the upper-right corner of the sensor details page.
You'll see two sliders, one for temperature and one for humidity. Each slider has two handles. The area between these two handles is the desired range of conditions. If the "Alert Me" toggle is enabled, you'll be notified whenever conditions leave this zone.
Alerts are sent using notifications, which is the same technology news companies employ to send out breaking news alerts.
Here are a few examples:
Alert above 110°F | Alert below 32°F |
| |
Alert when humidity is below 40% or above 60% | Alert when temperature is below 65°F or above 75°F and when humidity is below 40% or above 60% |
| |
How many days of readings can the sensor store? And what happens after that?...
Both the sensor and the app store data.
The sensor automatically maintains a backup of the most recent 20 days of readings, so while you are away from the sensor, it will continue to record the conditions. When the sensor reaches 20 days, it starts to overwrite the oldest data points.
Once the data is picked up by the app, then that data is stored indefinitely by the app on your mobile device.
Similarly, once the data is picked up by a SensorPush G1 Gateway (when a Gateway is used in conjunction with the sensor), then the data is stored indefinitely in the SensorPush cloud.
How do I export my data from the app?...
If you tap a sensor in the "Current Conditions" home screen, you're taken to a screen with details about that sensor. Scroll all the way down below the graphs to the bottom of that screen. There you will find a button that allows you to download all the data as a spreadsheet in CSV format which works with Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet software.
You'll be able to email the spreadsheet(s) to yourself once it finishes compiling.
Tip: A handful of users have mentioned that the default Windows extraction tool is not working to open the zip files with CSV in them. They've solved it by using 7zip to open the zip file. We're looking into some possible issues on our end. Very sorry for the inconvenience!
Can I calibrate my SensorPush sensor? How?...
First you will need an accurate reference for temperature and/or humidity. Each value is calibrated separately and you can choose to calibrate one, both or neither as necessary. Accuracy of the uncalibrated sensor can be found in the full specifications.
Calibration is only intended to correct for small variations (typically up to a few degrees or around 5% relative humidity). If you're seeing a bigger discrepancy than that while calibrating, please contact us, as that would indicate that there's a problem with either the calibration process or your sensor. We'll be happy to help sort it out.
If you have a trusted thermometer or hygrometer that you know to be very accurate, you can use it as a reference. Simply place it next to the SensorPush in a stable environment, let them sit for at least 30 minutes to acclimate to each other, be sure you have an updated reading and then use the calibration controls (shown below) to adjust the SensorPush to match the reference. The sensor settings page can be accessed by tapping the button in the top right corner of the graph screen.
If you don't have a reference device, you can still calibrate your sensor. Ice water makes a great temperature reference. Just mix up a bowl of ice water, with a good even mixture of ice and water. Give it a good stir and let it sit while you seal your SensorPush in a zip-top baggie. Get as much air out of the bag as possible. Place the SensorPush (inside the baggie) into the ice water mixture. It's best to leave the zip top out of the water, just in case it doesn't seal entirely.
Give the SensorPush at least 30 minutes to acclimate, be sure you have an updated reading and then adjust the calibration controls so the value reads exactly 32.0°F (0.0°C)
If you have any difficulties, consider these tips:
For calibrating humidity, the "salt test" is quite popular, and instructions can be found readily on the Internet. The chemical principle is sound and it can work quite well, but we find it to be difficult to execute consistently and accurately.
Calibrating to an inaccurate reference can be worse than not calibrating at all, so we prefer the Boveda One-Step Hygrometer Calibration Kit, available for less than $10 on Amazon.
Just open the baggie, seal your SensorPush inside and place it at room temperature in a location with minimal temperature variations. Let it sit undisturbed for at least 24-36 hours, be sure you have an updated reading and then adjust the calibration controls to read exactly 75.0% humidity. Keep the calibration kit sealed and you can use it multiple times for at least 3 months after the initial test.
How long will the battery last?...
Typical battery life is 1-2 years; more in warm conditions and less in extreme cold.
Thankfully, it is a replaceable battery. You will mostly likely need to purchase the replacement online. They are uncommon at hardware stores, but you can find them for sale from quite a few different outlets such as Amazon and various specialized battery retailers.
When it's time to change it, the process is quick and easy. Just follow these simple instructions.
The easiest way to open the case is with an old credit card or similar plastic card. Hold the sensor with the back facing you (the side with the seam) and with the text upright. Using a corner of the credit card, slide back and forth along the top seam pushing inward until the card penetrates slightly (squeezing the left and right sides of the sensor can help).
Then slide the card along the top edge to the left side and pry outward and the back cover will come off. The circuit board will then come out on its own. It's positioned by two plastic pegs but is only held in by the back cover. The battery is on the back of the board. It's a CR2477 lithium coin cell. The + side of the battery should face away from the circuit board.
Reassembly is the reverse, with one trick: it's easier to replace the back cover if you put the top side in first, as the bottom has two smaller pegs that are designed to snap in more easily.
I changed the battery in my sensor, so why is my Gateway not picking it up? First, check to see that your mobile device's Bluetooth is ON.
Next, check to see if the Bluetooth is on in the SensorPush app as well. Here's how: 1.) Open the app, and from the main screen (the screen with the word "Devices" at the top) select the button in the top left to open app settings. 2.) Once in app settings you'll notice a section called "Configuration" with a switch for Bluetooth. Switch it ON.
Then, bring the phone into close range of the sensors (e.g. same room). This should help wake them up and put the sensor device fully into its regular power mode.
One last thing to try is to re-add the sensor to the app essentially like it's a new sensor. The app will likely produce an error and state "Sensor already paired as..." but this will also re-activate the sensor.
If none of the above works, please contact us at support@sensorpush.com.
How can I change my Gateway's WiFi network?...
First, verify that you are logged in. Here's how to do this:
While on this same app settings screen, verify that the bluetooth is switched ON. The switch is below the Account section in a section called "Configuration."
Then, return to the main screen of the app. Scroll down to the Gateway listed there and select that Gateway.
Once on the next screen, select the "configure" option. Your mobile device will then connect directly to the Gateway and you will soon get a list of the wifi networks that are available to it.
Once you select a WiFi network, you can then enter its password and you should be on your way to reconnecting.
If the above process hangs on this for several minutes (e.g. ten minutes), please unplug the Gateway and plug it back in after a few moments, and also restart your mobile device before trying again.
Why use Bluetooth for the sensors instead of making them with on-board WiFi?...
The sensors use Bluetooth LE because it's more cost effective hardware than WiFi and it uses a great deal less power, so the batteries last a lot longer (in many cases 2 years) and the sample rate of the sensor can be a lot higher than if it used WiFi. A lot of sensors with on-board WiFi will sample once every 15 minutes instead of once per minute (like SensorPush), and their batteries die after a couple of months instead of a year or more -- which is a real annoyance when you're measuring hard-to-reach places like a crawlspace under a house.
So with a Gateway, you can have a larger array of sensors pushing to the cloud for remote monitoring for a lot less cost and also using a lot less power than if they were WiFi. Plus, the SensorPush cloud service is included in the purchase price, so there's not monthly fee for the Gateway.
We may eventually move in the direction of wifi once it's possible to have more efficient systems.
How is Bluetooth LE (BLE) different from regular Bluetooth and what does SensorPush use?The "LE" stands for "low energy" and it's one of the primary advantages of Bluetooth LE over other Bluetooth.
BLE leverages a trade off of range vs connection speed. So the fact that its slower connection speed allows for more range means you couldn't play music across that greater span, but you can effectively transfer small payloads like sensor data. Also, this slower connection speed requirement means the sensor can allocate additional power to tasks more central to the purpose of the device. For example, it makes it possible for the sensor to have a higher sample rate.
Can the Gateway work with power over ethernet (PoE)?...
The Gateway does not have its own onboard PoE, but a number of our customers have used PoE splitters for this. Here's a link to a data sheet on a PoE splitter that a customer recently used successfully.
What is the USB jack for on the Gateway? ...
The USB jack provides a back up method for powering the Gateway for environments where it is not easy to use the regular adapter.
If you have a male-to-male USB cable and a phone charger with 5 volts / 2 amps you can power the gateway via its USB port.
Can the Gateway use the Ethernet jack instead of WiFi?...
If you would prefer to use Ethernet instead of WiFi, the process is simple. If you have already set up the Gateway where you created your cloud account, then you can simply plug the Gateway into your network and it will start to communicate with the SensorPush cloud automatically.
If you have not yet set up your Gateway and its account, then do so now, but skip the last part where you set up the WiFi. Instead, just plug the Ethernet cable into one of the open ports on your router.
