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Is there really a need for battery-based sensors in the home beyond windows and doors?

user4517

I am in the process of completing a Fuel Oil Tank sensor for my home. I originally worked on code to maximize battery life assuming the need to have a battery, but recently realized I could just implement a USB power converter near the oil tank to feed the sensor. It made me wonder what sensors would require battery support over low voltage direct cable. Here is a list of sensors I believe would not require batteries, and after that list which one's would need batteries. I would enjoy hearing feedback on my list and your perceptions on use of batteries in home sensors.

Don't need batteries:

1 Appliance sensors, including plugs, lights, switches, kitchen appliances, water heater, laundry appliances, HVAC, overall power monitoring and water monitoring.

2. Human location and environmental sensors, including PIM or room movement, environmental (air/gas, temp, level of light, etc.). Also, mmWave sensing for GPS like functionality in the home.

3. Security camaras for outside house where the camaras are mounted on the house (Wi-Fi and POE). In-house camaras that are mounted in the ceiling or in entertainment\computer devices.

Do need batteries:

1. Stand-alone camaras for in-house (Naney cams, or other hidden cameras) Note: many room camera could be connected to existing entertainment or computer devices in a room eliminating the need for batteries

2. External disconnected cameras and environmental sensors (weather stations), and other remote monitoring for security or eventing.

3. Human wearable devices

as you can see the list of Do not need is extensive and the need for most of the do need are limited use, with the only exception being wearable devices.

Let me know what you think.

Pat

  • Hi,

    This is a good list, but there are circumstances that can cause this to change a bit, especially environment sensors, occupancy sensors and so on, for homes and businesses. 

    Sometimes homes need battery-powered environment sensors (e.g. temperature, humidity) for controlling heating, so that they can be positioned better, because traditional sensors are stuck in one location that could be non-ideal, and if you're retrofitting, then there won't be a convenient wired power source nearby. This is popular with home alarm systems too, where for a cheaper deployment they may go for battery-powered sensors.

    For businesses, some prefer battery-powered, because it doesn't occupy a PoE port, and because they don't want to pay to have mains wiring installed. Some would rather just use sensors with (say) 5-10 year battery life. Of course this limits processing power unfortunately, so they need higher efficiency, perhaps AI-enabled, more infrequent wireless polling or transmissions and so on.

  • I avoid batteries whenever possible. What does need a battery? flashlight, TV remote, DVM, camera, cell phone, robot, possibly fire alarm.

  • in reply to dougw

    I’m the complete opposite and prefer batteries over trailing cables.  Having said that I prefer to not have sensors or such like in the home because I find a switch, my finger and my legs very useful for turning things on and off!  Obviously, can’t live without devices like remotes but I have no need or desire for home automation.

  • You would run into regulatory problems with any mains powered device connected to a fuel level sensor.

    The one that came with my oil tank uses a small battery and a radio link.  There is a minumum distance that the tank must be from the house so running wires would be  pain.

    MK

  • Security devices need to stay powered in the event of power outage, battery power or battery back up is a good solution. A ups on the wifi is also a good idea to keep the home network alive for battery powered devices during outages. 

  • in reply to Andrew J

    You must  have  a drawer full of batteries. I wonder how many spare batteries the members here keep around the house.

  • Also, sometimes it's simply a lot easier, even if it isn't the best way. 

    I've been working on this in my spare time (probably won't blog about this, since there's nothing much interesting); it's a sensor node (for temperature measurement) along with a relay for control, and even though that means it will be wired to a device with power, since the power consumption is so low I may as well just power it from a battery, which will last a couple of years if not more. From my perspective the battery made it all a lot cheaper/simpler.

    image

  • in reply to dougw

      I have a Love/Hate relationship with batteries - especially my rechargeables.  I liken it to when the kids were still at home and having to constantly change the toilet paper because there was always just an empty roll.  AGAIN?!!     It pains me to pay $20 for 20 AA batteries.  I've also got the Harbor Freight ones, $2 for 24, but these really are "You get what you pay for."

    I wall wart when I can.

  • in reply to robogary

    I'm actually surprised the Ever Ready's / Duracells and other battery manufacturers do not sell such a product specifically for home routers. It's cheap, would use a load of their batteries (it doesn't need to be rechargeable could even run off alkalines since outages are infrequent in many countries). I rigged up something like that with a load of alkalines a few years back, for a specific use-case, and would probably just have preferred to pay $15-$20 or so for a ready-made unit and just populate it with plenty of AA cells (for instance).

  • in reply to shabaz

    Maybe that would be a good Project14 topic, so I submitted the suggestion. 

    I use a 100W inverter attached to a scooter battery to power the wifi when the power goes out. https://www.amazon.com/Ampeak-Power-Inverter-Converter-Adapter/dp/B072LM88F9/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2LJBUPX516ONW&keywords=100w+inverter+12v+to+110v&qid=1677516305&sprefix=100W+inverter%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-4

    Its not a UPS tho, I manually take the battery and inverter to the wifi modem and plug it in, then run another power cord from it to the indoor repeaters.We dont lose power very often,but its really boring when its down. I have several batteries, and can move the inverter around if something else small needs powered or recharged.