Frequently Asked Product Questions:

(Please note: All of the following FAQs have been copied to the Support Knowledgebase, and we have added many, many more new ones there, too.)

WisDom FAQ's

Q: What if I have VOIP? Can I still have the WisDom call me or have it monitored?
A: Yes. If you have VOIP, you can have the WisDom call you at up to four phone numbers with no additional equipment. If you wish to use a monitoring service, you will need to add a fixed cellular terminal to your WisDom that can support monitoring. See the following question for more info. NOTE: Also, there is a GSM add-on module for the WisDom that is coming out in a few months, and that will also give the WisDom cellular functionality. This unit will be compatible with alarm monitoring services. You would purchase service for this through a GSM cellular carrier, such as Cingular or T-Mobile. Email us at sales@diycontrols.com if you wish to be notified when this is available.

Q: What if I do not have VOIP or a landline?
A: You can add a fixed cellular terminal to your WisDom to provide it with a dial tone. Currently we have three different fixed cellular terminals. See our "Cellular" category for more information on each. Just activate the fixed cellular terminal, plug it into the WisDom with a standard phone cable, and you now have a dial tone available for the WisDom to call you with. The SX5E can be used with alarm monitoring services. The SX5T might be able to be used with monitoring services, if your cellular provider supports "circuit-switched data" in your area. The FWT2006 cannot be used with a monitoring service, it is a voice-only unit. NOTE: Also, there is a GSM add-on module for the WisDom that is coming out in a few months, and that will also give the WisDom cellular functionality. This unit will be compatible with alarm monitoring services. You would purchase service for this through a GSM cellular carrier, such as Cingular or T-Mobile. Email us at sales@diycontrols.com if you wish to be notified when this is available.

Q: Is the WisDom capable of broadband monitoring?
A: Yes, but we do not recommend broadband monitoring because of the possible service interruptions and false alarms that can be caused by the internet providers rebooting their servers as they often do. We recommend cellular if you do not have a traditional phone line. See above questions regarding cellular service for the WisDom.

Sensaphone FAQ's

Q: What if I do not have a phone line where the Sensaphone will be used?
A: You can add a fixed cellular terminal to your Sensaphone to provide it with a dial tone. Currently we have three different fixed cellular terminals. See our "Cellular" category for more information on each. Just activate the fixed cellular terminal, plug it into the Sensaphone with a standard phone cable, and you now have a dial tone available for the Sensaphone to call you with.

Q: What is the difference between the Cottage Sitter and the standard 1104 (or 1108)?
A: The standard 1104 and 1108 Sensaphones perform monitoring functions only. They monitor temperature, power, and high sound level, plus other sensors you add to it. The CottageSitter monitors those same things, but ALSO can manually control a low voltage device such as a thermostat (via a 2A 30V output relay). UPDATE: All special edition 1104s and 1108s have been replaced by the new 400 and 800 units. Those units do everything that the previous special editions did and more. See product page for more info.

Q: How do I control temperature over the phone with the Cottage Sitter (or Sensaphone 400/800)?
A: First of all, decide whether you want to use a dual-thermostat setup or a single-thermostat setup. In a dual-thermostat setup, the Sensaphone is wired to two DIFFERENT thermostats, one which you leave set high and one which you leave set low. The Sensaphone then switches between the two thermostats when you call, activating one and deactivating the other.

In a SINGLE-thermostat setup, you would replace your existing thermostat with a special thermostat that has a hookup for the Sensaphone and an override feature that you activate by phone via the Sensaphone. For example, if you leave your house with the thermostat set at 50 degrees and your override setting (characterized by a little suitcase graphic on the thermostat) is set at 70 degrees, when you call the Sensaphone and press # 6, the override will kick in and your thermostat is now at 70 degrees. Call again and press # 3 and the override is deactivated and your thermostat is back at 50 degrees.

Q: Which thermostat should I buy for my Cottage Sitter (or Sensaphone 400/800)?
You would select which thermostat to buy based on what type of heating and AC system you have. There is a detailed selection chart on each thermostat product page to assist you in selecting the right one for your system. Once you have selected a thermostat, check the thermostat's product page to see if it requires a THCONNKIT connection kit to be wired in between the Sensaphone and the thermostat (some model thermostats require it, others do not).

Q: Can I use a Sensaphone to monitor the temperature in a refrigerator or freezer?
A: Yes. Any model Sensaphone can monitor temperature inside a refrigerator or freezer and call you when the temperature goes outside of your pre-programmed acceptable range. You will need one temperature probe for each section to be monitored (example: 1 probe for refrigerator portion and 1 probe for freezer portion). For all Sensaphone models except the SCADA and Skymetry, you would use part number FGD-0101 (2.8K Weatherproof Temperature Probe).

Q: When wiring sensors to the Sensaphone, how far away can I place the sensor?
A: Although there is no formal recommendation on distance, sensors can be placed several hundred feet from the Sensaphone without a problem as long as the resistance on the line does not exceed 50 ohms. Temperature sensors may supply readings that are a few degrees off when they are wired several hundred feet from the Sensaphone, but you can re-calibrate the Sensaphone to make the appropriate adjustment to offset the resistance and report an accurate temperature reading. You can also use a larger gauge wire to minimize resistance.

FloodStop FAQ's

Q: Can I wire multiple water sensors to one FloodStop unit?
A: Yes! Additional sensors can be "chained" to each other, providing multiple sensor points to one FloodStop unit. There is no limit to how many water sensors you can chain together.

Q: How long is the wire from the FloodStop to the water sensor?
A: The water sensor has 1 meter of wire on it (approximately 3.28 feet). Additional sensors also come with 1 meter of wire. If you need to extend the wire farther than that, you can splice the wire and extend it using standard two conductor wire, around 16 or 18 gauge.

Q: Can I use a FloodStop unit on the main water supply to my house?
A: Sure! If your main water supply is either 3/4 inch or 1-1/4 inch, then you could use the "FloodStop for Water Heater" in the appropriate size on your main water supply. You may want to purchase some additional sensors to put in various places to the FloodStop unit. See above two questions for more info on extending water sensor coverage.

More FAQ's are being added to this page all the time. If you have a question that you need assistance with now, feel free to contact us, we're more than willing to assist you.