Helpdesk

Connecting temperature sensor(s): 

You can add up to 9 additional temperature sensors to a BEEP base. Use DS18b20 sensors, or any other temperature sensor with a compatible I2C-interface.

• Remove the batteries from your BEEP base. Cut the wire from the temperature sensor in two, then strip a length of 3 centimeters from the outer mantle and strip 0.5 centimeter from the inner mantles of the cut cable. Repeat for the cable(s) of the sensor(s) that will be added.
  

• Connect the wires of each sensor cable as shown in the diagram above (Black = GND, Yellow = Signal/DQ, Red = Vdd/3.3v), either by:
  
  
  • joining the wires in a terminal block (with screw-connector) and insulating the block with tape

• or by soldering the wires together, insulating them with heat-shrink tubing.
  

It is recommended to use a junction box and cable splitter to be able to rapidly disconnect and reconnect your additional temperature sensors while keeping them waterproof:

• Use a junction box with IP65 waterproof rating (or higher) for joining the additional sensor wires.

• Connect the two ends of the cut cable from step 1 to a three-pole cable splitter with IP65 rating (or higher) for quickly disconnecting the junction box and temperature sensors from your beep base when you need take the base away from under the hive.

• Label your sensors in the BEEP base app, by connecting to the base using bluetooth and opening the "Temperature" screen, then identifying each sensor by holding the thermocouple element in the palm of your hand, raising the sensor temperature above ambient air temperature. Rename the sensor, and repeat for all other sensors.
  

• Mark the sensor cables using a waterproof marker or tape, at least a frame-length above the thermocouple element, to be able to identify them when they are hanging in-between frames.

• For extra waterproofing, the junction box with wiring can be filled up with epoxy, with beeswax, or with another insulator.

Connect the load cell wires to the screw terminal connector on the upper side of the PCB, as shown in the image to the right, using the follow wiring:

• GND = Yellow (shrink-wrapped shield cable)
• A+ = Green
• A- = White
• GND = Black
• Vdd = Red

Connecting a humidity sensor: 

Connect a BME280 temperature/humidity sensor (not included with the BEEP base) in order to measure the relative humidity level inside or outside of the hive.

Wire the BME280 to the screw terminal connector on the PCB as shown on the right (or refer to the wiring diagram printed next to the connectors on the circuit board). Use a queen cage or similar to shield the sensor from wax and propolis when placing it inside of a hive, but note that cable lengths of more than one meter may cause signal degradation (leading to inaccurate measurements). 

The BME280 measurement data will be plotted in the web app (with the default sensor-definition of Input = "h", Output = "h", offset = 0, multiplier = 1).