Temperature Sensor: Installation Tutorial

Temperature monitoring is critical for cold chain logistics. This tutorial guides you through installing and configuring temperature sensors with your Rinho device. If you use wired sensors, the iButton and 1-Wire page summarizes everything the 1-Wire bus can do (temperature and driver identification).

Video Tutorial

Watch our video tutorial on the 1-Wire temperature sensor:

Why Monitor Temperature?

Temperature monitoring is essential for:

• Pharmaceutical transport: Vaccines, medications
• Food logistics: Fresh produce, frozen goods
• Chemical transport: Temperature-sensitive materials
• Compliance: Regulatory requirements

Sensor Options

BLE Temperature Sensors

Wireless sensors, such as Rinho BLE sensors, that connect via Bluetooth:

• Advantages: Easy installation, no wiring
• Range: Up to 10 meters from device
• Battery life: 1-2 years typical
• Accuracy: ±0.3°C typical

Wired Temperature Sensors (1-Wire)

Digital probes that connect to the device's 1-Wire port (the same bus used by iButton keys). The Spider IoT has one 1-Wire port and the Smart IoT has two (A and B):

• Compatible models: DS18B20, DS18S20, and DS1822, including the DS18B20-PAR (parasite power, no VDD pin)
• Quantity: up to 8 sensors on the same wire, in positions DT00 to DT07
• Identification: each sensor has a unique factory ROM (for example 281F266A0A0000E4)
• Advantages: Reliable, no battery needed
• Installation: Requires wiring
• Response time: Faster updates
• Best for: Permanent installations

1-Wire or BLE? How to Choose

Criteria	Wired (1-Wire)	Wireless (BLE)
Installation	Requires wiring to the cargo area	Minutes, no wires
Maintenance	No battery	Battery replacement every 1-2 years
Ideal for	Fixed vans, permanent installation and, with numbered sensors, swappable trailers	Swappable trailers, pallets
Cost	Lower per sensor	Higher, but saves labor

Installation Guide

BLE Sensor Installation

Step 1: Prepare the Sensor

1. Remove sensor from packaging
2. Activate the sensor (if required)
3. Note the sensor ID/MAC address

Step 2: Position the Sensor

Place the sensor where temperature is representative:

• Away from cooling unit direct airflow
• Not touching walls or floor
• Protected from physical damage
• Accessible for battery replacement

Step 3: Configure on Device

1. Enable BLE scanning on your Rinho device
2. Add the sensor MAC address to the configuration
3. Set the scanning interval (recommended: 30-60 seconds)
4. Configure transmission parameters

Step 4: Platform Configuration

1. Create a temperature sensor on your platform
2. Map the sensor data to the correct parameter
3. Set up alerts for temperature thresholds
4. Configure reports

Wired Sensor Installation

Step 1: Plan the Installation

• Identify cable routing
• Plan sensor placement
• Ensure cable length is sufficient

Step 2: Connect the Sensor

1. Connect the sensor to your Rinho device's 1-Wire port (on the Smart IoT, port A or B)
2. Secure cable routing
3. Protect connections from moisture

Step 3: Configure the Device

1. Turn on 1-Wire in temperature mode: >SCXOW1,0<
2. With a single sensor, nothing else is needed: it shows up on its own in DT00 (on the Smart IoT, whatever you connect on port B goes to DT01)
3. With several sensors, assign each one to its position: manually with >SDTxx1,<ROM>< or, with numbered sensors, in one step with >SDT AUTO< (see the next section)
4. Check the readings with >QDT<
5. Configure transmission interval

Several Sensors on the Same Wire (firmware 1.09.28)

With firmware 1.09.28 you can now connect up to 8 sensors on the same wire, including DS18B20-PAR. The device measures them one at a time and powers each one during its measurement; with 4 sensors, the full cycle takes about 4 seconds. On the Spider IoT, the driver's iButton key can also share that same wire with the sensors.

You can also work with numbered sensors: each sensor stores a number from 1 to 8 that defines its position (1 goes to DT00, 2 to DT01… 8 to DT07). You number it from the device itself, with no external programmer:

>SDT PAINT0<          numbers the only connected sensor for DT00
>SDT PAINT1,<ROM><    numbers a specific sensor for DT01
>QDT AUTO<            lists the sensors on the wire (ROM, number, assigned DT) without changing anything
>SDT AUTO<            assigns each numbered sensor to its DT
>SDT AUTO RESET<      frees all 8 DTs at once

A recommended practice is to mark each sensor with a color so you know which is which during installation. And if you work with trailers or reefer boxes that get swapped, the automatic mode >SCXOW1,2< looks for numbered sensors every 30 seconds (and at startup) and puts each one in its position when you hitch up.

Platform Configuration

Alert Setup

Configure alerts for:

Alert Type	Example Threshold
High temperature	> 8°C for refrigerated
Low temperature	< -20°C for frozen
Sensor failure	No reading for 10 minutes
Rapid change	> 5°C in 15 minutes

Reports

Set up regular reports:

• Temperature history charts
• Min/max/average per trip
• Time outside acceptable range
• Compliance documentation

Best Practices

Sensor Placement

• Use multiple sensors for large cargo areas
• Place at different heights (warm air rises)
• Consider door proximity

Calibration

• Calibrate sensors periodically
• Use reference thermometers for verification
• Document calibration dates

Maintenance

• Replace BLE sensor batteries before depletion
• Check wired sensor connections
• Clean sensors if contaminated

Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
No readings	Check sensor is active and in range
Inaccurate readings	Recalibrate sensor
Intermittent data	Check BLE signal interference
1-Wire sensor showing an old reading	Check the age reported by >QDT<: 00 to 06 seconds is normal; a high value means there are no recent good readings
Wrong values	Verify platform configuration

Conclusion

Temperature monitoring with Rinho devices is straightforward once properly configured. Follow this guide for reliable cold chain monitoring, and learn more about the full solution in fleet temperature monitoring and everything the iButton and 1-Wire bus allows.

Need assistance? Contact us for support.

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