SUPPORT

Troubleshooting

If you are trying to add a new sensor to the app but the app cannot find the sensor, try the following:

  1. MAKE SURE your OS settings for the app are correct (ESPECIALLY ANDROID). Depending on the version of Android, your settings may be different.
    • For newer Android versions, make sure “Nearby devices permission” is set to “Allow”.
    • For older versions, “Location permission” Should be set to “Allow all the time”.
    • For all versions, “Notifications” should be allowed and “Pause app activity if unused” should be disabled.
  2. Close all other apps, reboot your phone/tablet, then try again. Sometimes, other apps on Android hijack the Bluetooth controller.
  3. If possible, try on another phone/tablet. The outcome will help determine if the problem is with the sensor or the phone/tablet configuration.
  4. If it doesn’t work on any phone/tablet, check if the sensor battery is dead by removing the battery and inserting it again. The + side should face away from the black circuit board.  If the battery is full, you should see an LED blink 2x. If it should be full but is not, please contact us.
  5. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the app. NOTE: If you have previously added other sensors to the app, the data will be lost.  You may want to contact us before performing this step.

If the problem persists, please contact us at support@vitalnomad.com.

If a new reading does not show up after a few minutes, please do the following:

  1. Open the app
  2. Hold the sensor within an inch of your phone/tablet for at least a few minutes to rule out any distance issues. If still no update, continue to #3.
  3. MAKE SURE your OS settings for the app are correct (ESPECIALLY ANDROID). Depending on the version of Android, your settings may be different.
    • For newer Android versions, make sure “Nearby devices permission” is set to “Allow”.
    • For older versions, “Location permission” Should be set to “Allow all the time”.
    • For all versions, “Notifications” should be allowed and “Pause app activity if unused” should be disabled.

NOTE: Remember, there is no CLOUD/INTERNET between your sensor and phone/tablet. The app must be running in the background so it can receive the sensor data, store it, and display alerts.

If you continue to have problems, please contact us at support@vitalnomad.com. 

If you are getting updates in the app, the battery is not dead.

If you are within Bluetooth range and you are not getting updates OR the app cannot find the sensor during setup, the battery may be dead.

Note: This method of checking will erase the local storage on the sensor (erase the history). It will not erase the data stored in the app.

To check the battery:

  1. Remove the back cover and pull out the black PCB
  2. Remove the battery from the holder
  3. Put the battery back in the holder (positive side facing away from the black pcb)
  4. If the LED blinks 2x, the battery is full. If it blinks 3x, it is not full. There is an LED on both sides of the board and when it blinks it will be obvious. You don’t need to know exactly where it is.
  5. If it doesn’t blink at all, it is completely dead.
  6. If it blinks a number other than 2 or 3, please contact us 

If the battery is dead and it is under warranty, contact us to replace it.

If you need to replace a battery, use Panasonic CR2477. We get ours from DigiKey.

 

Alert notifications will repeat every 30 minutes if:

  1. Notifications are enabled in the OS settings for the app
  2. Notifications are enabled in the app’s sensor settings
  3. The app is running in the background
  4. The app is not closed and not running in the foreground. Alerts are not displayed when the app is in the foreground because you are able to see the temperature and humidity.  The background of the temperature and humidity reading is red when the conditions are in the alert state. 
  5. The app is within Bluetooth range of the sensor.  

To Test for Alerts without waiting 30 mins:

  1. Go within a few feet of the sensor (to rule out distance issues)
  2. Open app, go to sensor settings, and adjust the temperature and humidity so that the current temperature and humidity is out of range
  3. Make sure “Notify Me” is enabled
  4. Open the web browser, forcing the tempi.fi app into the background
  5. Wait a few minutes. If you do not get a notification, please contact us

When you remove the battery, all the history stored in the sensor is erased.  The history is preserved in the app until you choose “REMOVE SENSOR” in the app settings.

Pre-Order Questions:

Currently, tempi.fi sensors are available on Amazon.

Yes. There is a 30 day money-back guarantee. See details here.

Yes. There is a 1 year limited warranty. See details here.

Battery:

Typically, the battery will last between 1 and 2 years. 

The sensor uses a 3 Volt, Panasonic CR2477 battery.  To replace the battery:

  1. Open the app and wait 2 minutes to allow the app to upload the latest readings. If the battery is dead, no readings will be uploaded.
  2. Remove the battery cover on the sensor using a credit card to pry underneath
  3. Slide out the old battery and dispose of properly 
  4. Slide in the new battery placing the negative side of the battery closest to the black PCB board 
  5. Open the app, wait a few minutes, then confirm the battery level is correct and the sensor is sending new readings.

NOTE: Removing the battery, erases all the data on the sensor. The history will remain in the app.  

Temperature & Humidity

We only use temperature & humidity components from Sensirion, which is the world’s leading manufacturer of digital microsensors and is based in Switzerland. Typical Accuracy:

  • Temperature:
    • Celsius:  +/- 0.2°C for ranges 0 to 65°C and +/- 0.6°C for ranges -30 to 0°C
    • Fahrenheit: +/- 0.4°F for ranges 32 to 140°F and +/- 1°F for ranges  -22 to 32°F
  • Relative Humidity at 25°C (77°F):
    • +/- 2% when relative humidity is between 20-80%
    • +/- 3% when relative humidity is outside of 20-80%
For worst case, view SHT40 Specification.

The sensor takes a new temperature and humidity reading every minute and stores it in the sensor’s own on-board memory.

 

If the app is open, it will retrieve a new reading approximately every minute.  If the app is running in the background, it will sync with the sensors on-board memory approximately every 30 minutes. If the sensor is out of range, it will sync when it comes back into range.

 

NOTE: The app must be open or running in the background to retrieve data from the sensor.

The app can store an unlimited number of temperature and humidity readings. The sensor can store 22 days of readings.

 

If the app is running in the background and the sensor is never out of range for longer than 22 days, the app should have a complete history with no gaps.

 

NOTE: A new product, the sensor gateway, is coming soon.  It will connect to your wi-fi router and work with existing tempi.fi sensors to allow your app to get alerts, and sync readings, from anywhere in the world without needing to be in range. 

The operating temperature range is -30 to 60°C (-22 to 140°F)

The operating relative humidity range is 0-100%.

First, you should know that the tempi.fi sensors are pre-calibrated at the factory and for most usages, you do not need to re-calibrate them.

However, if you need accuracy better than 2 degrees or 5% relative humidity, we recommend that you do calibrate your sensors. During the calibration process, you should not need to to make adjustments of more than a few degrees or 5% humidity.  If you do, please try to follow the instructions again.  If the required adjustment is still large, please contact us at support@tempi.fi, in rare cases, the sensor may be defective.

Option 1: Use a reference sensor for temperature & humidity

The easiest way to calibrate the sensor is to use a reference sensor that has already been calibrated.  Choose a location where the temperature and humidity will remain constant for at least an hour.  Place both sensors in the same location for about 45 minutes.  After 45 minutes, open the tempi.fi app and go to the settings for the sensor you want to calibrate.  Adjust the calibration values until the temperature and humidity matches the reference sensor.

Option 2: Use ice water to calibrate the temperature

  1. Place the sensor in a plastic zip lock bag with NO HOLES. Remove all the air from the bag.
  2. Fill a large glass half way with ice cubes or ice shavings
  3. Place the sensor in the glass on top of the ice with the logo facing up. Keep the ends of the bag outside of the glass just in the case the bag doesn’t seal properly. NOTE: The sensor is not waterproof. You are responsible for making sure the sensor stays dry or it will be ruined.
  4. Fill the rest of the glass with ice then with water so the sensor is submerged in water trapped between ice cubes or ice shavings.
  5. Place the glass in the refrigerator for approximately 60 minutes
  6. Check the chart. If the temperature has remained constant (within approximately +/- 0.1°) for about 10 minutes, you are ready for the next step. If not, leave the glass in the refrigerator until it has remained constant for about 10 minutes.
  7. Go to the app settings for the sensor and adjust the temperature calibration value until it reads 32°F or 0°C
  8. You are done calibrating the temperature

Option 3: Use the ‘salt method’ to calibrate the relative humidity 

  1. Measure 1/2 cup of table salt and place it into a small coffee mug
  2. Measure 1/4 cup of water and pour it on top of the salt in the mug
  3. Stir the solution until all the salt is moist
  4. Place the cup and the sensor in the bag and seal the bag (don’t put the sensor in the cup, make sure the bag is air tight)
  5. Place the bag in a dark area where the temperature is relatively constant (+/- 5 degrees) and there is no airflow; e.g. a kitchen or bathroom cabinet
  6. Wait 24 hours and check the chart.  If the humidity has remained constant (+/- 0.5%) for about 10 minutes, you are ready for the next step.  If not, check back. This may take several days to stabilize.
  7. Go to the app settings for the sensor and adjust the humidity calibration value until it reads 75%
  8. You are done calibrating the humidity

Option 4: Use a hygrometer calibration kit

Use a highly rated hygrometer calibration kit that costs ~$8 on Amazon.

NOTE: After calibrating the sensor, all historic readings will automatically adjust accordingly.

 

Yes, the app provides a simple switch to display Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Alerts & Reports:

Yes. In the app settings, you can choose to get notifications on your mobile device when the temperature or humidity levels on your sensor go above or below the levels you specify.

 

NOTE: If you only have a sensor and are not using a tempi.fi gateway, you must be within bluetooth range to get a notification.

 

The notifications will repeat approximately every 30 minutes.

Yes, the app stores all data it syncs from the sensor.  You can export the data in CSV format which makes it easy to read and import into Excel and other applications.

Connectivity

Yes, the FCC ID is 2ATTG-T2

Yes, it works well inside most refrigerators and freezers.

The sensor uses Bluetooth and connects directly to a mobile device; e.g. smart phone or tablet.  The sensor must be within Bluetooth range to sync with the sensor.  Bluetooth range is theoretically 100m but in practice is about 60-100ft and works in most 3000 square foot homes.

 

We are currently working on a Wi-Fi gateway that will connect existing tempi.fi sensors to the cloud so that temperature and humidity can be monitored remotely.

No. The sensor uses Bluetooth and connects directly to a mobile device; e.g. smart phone or tablet.  

 

We are currently working on a Wi-Fi gateway that will connect existing tempi.fi sensors to the cloud so that temperature and humidity can be monitored remotely.

The theoretical range is ~300ft with no obstacles. Typically, the range is between 60-120 ft but depends on the environment (obstructions, wall material, piping, etc). In a modern 3,000 sqft home, the sensor can usually be detected in any room.

Whenever you are within Bluetooth range, the mobile app will sync with the sensor.  If you are not within Bluetooth range, your mobile app will sync when you get in range.

 

The sensor stores up to 22 days of readings and syncs with a mobile device (e.g. smart phone or tablet) when in range.

 

We are currently working on a Wi-Fi gateway that will connect existing tempi.fi sensors to the cloud so that temperature and humidity can be monitored remotely.

Sensor Placement:

The sensor is approximately 1.57″ x 1.57″ x 0.59″ (40 x 40 x 15 mm)

One sensor weighs less than 1 ounce; e.g. less than 23 grams.

Yes, you can put thread, string, ribbon, or a landyard through the hole and hang it almost anywhere.

Yes, you can use adhesive to attach the sensor to a surface.

No. The sensor is NOT waterproof.  The battery cover is not air tight and there is a hole in the plastic that exposes the temperature and humidity sensing components to the environment.  

Care must be taken to ensure water doesn’t enter inside the plastic and get the circuit board or battery wet.  

It is possible to use outside if the above conditions are met.

Mobile App:

Yes.  The sensor communicates to a mobile device via Bluetooth. 

 

In the future, there will be a Wi-Fi gateway that may eliminate this requirement so that alerts can be received via email or SMS.

  • The tempi.fi app can be installed on iPhone 5 or later, running iOS version 10.0 or higher. It may also be installed on iPod Touch 5th gen (or later) or iPad 4 (or later) running iOS 10.0 or higher2.
  • The tempi.fi app may be installed on phones or tablets running Android version 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher2.
  • Please refer to the App Store or the Google Play store for further information on the apps compatibility with your device2
  • tempi.fi does not work with your Mac or PC

2Apple, Mac, iPhone, App Store, iPod Touch and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license. Google, Google Play and Android are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc. in the US and other countries.

The tempi.fi app can be downloaded for free on Apple App Store for iOS devices, or Google Play for Android devices1. Use the search term “tempi.fi” to find the app.  If you are viewing this on a mobile device, you can find the app here.

 

 

1Apple and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license. Google, Google Play, and Android are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc. in the US and other countries.

Yes, the app allows you to monitor up to 15 sensors.

Yes. You can monitor the same sensor on an unlimited number of mobile devices.  

Yes, an unlimited number of people can monitor the same sensor using their own mobile device.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ModelT3
Size1.57″ x 1.57″ x 0.59″ (40 x 40 x 15mm)
Weight0.8 ounces (22g)
TemperatureRange: -22°F to 140°F (-30°C to 60°C)
Accuracy: +/- 0.6°C (typical), +/- 1°C (max)
More Details: SHT40
Relative Humidity Range: 0 to 100%
Accuracy: +/- 3% (typical), +/-5% (max)
More Details: SHT40
Calibration CertificateThe T3 uses a Sensirion SHT40 sensor to measure temperature and humidity. Sensirion provides a general calibration certificate for the SHTxx sensors. The calibration certificate is not sensor specific, it certifies the calibration process ensuring that SHT40s leaving the factory are within specification. If you need a product specific certificate for your tempi.fi device, it needs to be sent to a certified calibration lab to be certified. Here is the General Calibration Certificate for the Sensirion SHTxx sensors.
BatteryType: Panasonic CR2477 (Replaceable, Lithium)
Typical Battery Life: > 1 year (less in very cold temperatures)
Storage CapacitySensor: ~40 days @ 1 reading per minute
App: Virtually Unlimited
Wireless RangeThe theoretical range is ~300ft with no obstacles. Typically, the range is between 60-120 ft but depends on the environment (obstructions, wall material, piping, etc). In a modern 3,000 sqft home, the sensor can usually be detected in any room.
App RequirementsApple: All iPads and iPhones that support iOS10 and later.
Android: The mobile device must support Bluetooth 4.0 (or Bluetooth LE) and Lollipop (5.0) or later.
FCC ID2ATTG-T2
FCC StatementThis device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: —Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. —Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. —Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. —Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

temp.fi gateway

We are currently working on a Wi-Fi gateway (sold separately) that will connect your existing tempi.fi sensors to the internet using your Wi-Fi router so you can get alerts and monitor data 24/7 from anywhere in the world. 

Wireless range

The sensor can send alerts and upload data directly to your phone when you are in wireless range (a tempi.fi gateway is not required). The theoretical wireless range is approximately 300 feet if there are no obstacles. Typically, the range is between 60-120 feet but depends on the environment (piping, obstructions, wall material, etc). In a modern 3,000 square foot home, the sensor can usually be detected in any room. 

SUPPORT
Please email our support team for any questions or technical assistance. We will get back to you within 24 business hours.
Email:

VITALNOMAD LLC
Woburn, Massachusetts, 01801
 
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