Supported Communication Technologies

	WIFI	Ethernet	Cellular
Cost	$319	$319	$925
Ease of setup	Highest	Low	Low
Monthly Cost - First year included!	$10	$10	$30
Requires existing network	Yes	Yes	No
Data limit	Unlimited	Unlimited	200 MB per month
Includes support for a hot-spot	No	No	Yes
Components outside the PoolWarden	Antenna	None	Cellular Box

PoolWarden 3G Cellular Internet Modem

The Cellular Internet modem uses the ATT network and supports both the 3G and 2G networks. If there is no existing network at the facility and you need to be able to communicate with the PoolWarden then this option is the way to go so long at there is ATT service in the area. External antennas are available if there is no signal in the pump room.

• Includes a public IP address!
• The PoolWarden 3G is an external box that connects to the PoolWarden using Ethernet, the above price includes the PoolWarden Ethernet module.
• No need to work with the facilities IT department to get a public IP address routed to the PoolWarden!
• No cellular contract, the first year is included.
• Multiple PoolWardens can share the same PoolWarden 3G!
• Hot-Spot - When at the PoolWarden 3G you can easily connect your laptop or smart-phone to the Internet.
• The PoolWarden 3G is a low cost solution when compared to other manufacturers communications options!
• Works with a very low signal, we have tested with a -104 dbm signal.

WIFI and Ethernet Communication Options

Introducing the water chemistry chemical controller communication option that makes sense. Internet-based communication that allows you to tap into your existing network bypassing monthly charges for cell phone or satellite communication. Forget the hassles of phone lines, intermittent cellular coverage, external boxes, and monthly service charges to the phone company.

When ordered with the WIFI all you have to do is screw the antenna to the RF connector on top of the PoolWarden and set the network parameters, similar to connecting a smart phone to a network. If the room doesn't have reasonable WIFI signal the PW-WIFI also includes a 10 foot antenna extension allowing you to try different locations in the room for a better signal.

If there isn't a WIFI signal in the pump room then go the Ethernet route. The Ethernet is very easy to setup, in most cases just plug in the Ethernet cable and turn it on. If there isn't an Ethernet cable in the pump room that is typically no problem and a cable doesn't even need to be installed, just use two powerline to Ethernet adapters. Powerline to Ethernet adapters are not that expensive and work very well. Install one powerline adapter in the network room, and the other with the PoolWarden. The PW-Ethernet includes a 10 foot CAT5 cable already run through a water tight fitting, all you have to do is plug the cable in.

There are two types of communication with the PoolWarden, direct with the ControlOMatic Windows program and the PoolWarden sending data packets to the data server. The PoolWarden data server has a low monthly charge after the first year and the Windows program is included.

PoolWarden Data Service

The data service has a monthly charge of $15, or 5 years for the price of 4. The data service is entirely optional and not required for communication but it does add some nice features.

• Data Recording: Setup the PoolWarden to send data packets to the server at specific intervals which includes the sensor readings, relay on times, flow and alarm status, and relay total on times for the month. This data can be viewed at any time from anywhere with a web browser.
• Data Recording Rate: Select 15 minutes, 30 minutes or each hour.
• Service Access: A nice feature is the Service Pin Entry. When someone services the pool or spa they can enter a PIN code into the PoolWarden. This will cause a data packet to be sent to the server logging the date and time that PIN code was entered. You can setup those who can service the pool along with their code for when you look at the service reports it will show their name.
• Email on Alarms: In order to keep the PoolWarden simple it doesn't include some features that have been added to the data server. Sending Email is built into the data server and not the PoolWarden. If you want to change your email address you only have to change it in the data server.
• Plotting: Looking at the data graphically by day and month can show more than looking at the data in number form.
• One Year data service is included with the WIFI and Ethernet.
• Doesn't require any special Router setup, allow the router to assign an IP address to the PoolWarden.

PoolWarden Direct Communication

ControlOMatic supplies the Windows communication program 'poolwarden.exe' that can be used to directly communicate with the PoolWarden using the WIFI. This allows for viewing and editing the setup of the PoolWarden. The data service is used for viewing data that the PoolWarden has sent to the server and not for communicating directly with the controller. Direct Communication adds the following features:

• Main Software Update: If ControlOMatic releases new PoolWarden software it is a very simple matter to update the software. Forget the hassle of replacing a memory chip, taking a laptop to the site or sending the unit in to be updated.
• Virtual Screen: PoolWarden.exe uses a virtual screen with communicating with a PoolWarden. Once you learn how to use and setup a PoolWarden with all the menus, communicating with a virtual screen is the same, no need to learn another method to look at data and edit settings.
• Edit the Setup: Edit any of the settings except for security, security can only be setup at the PoolWarden front panel.
• Security: Setup the internal security by adding a master and service password. When communicating these must be entered to get to any of the screens where anything can be changed. It is very difficult to hack in as the protocol is not standard, the password when being entered remotely isn't sent at the same time, you can set the port and the communication software is only available to PoolWarden owners.

Setup of the direct connect depends on the capabilities of the router and your requirements. If you want to be able to connect and make changes from anywhere then the PoolWarden must be installed on the Internet side of the router, before the firewall. If you only want to make changes to the PoolWarden from within the local network that the PoolWarden is connected to then the PoolWarden can be connected after the firewall to also gain the protection of the firewall, but communication from outside the firewall will not be possible.
Communication On The Network Side: When the PoolWarden is added to the network it can be put on the network side which has the protection of the facilities firewall. This is the easiest method and all that is needed to setup the WIFI is the name and security settings of the network, no additional settings are needed for the Ethernet. This has no effect on the data server, the PoolWarden will be able to send data irrespective of the firewall.
Communication From Anywhere: This is the recommended location as then communication will be possible from anywhere and updates could be performed if requested by ControlOMatic. The router must be able to support routing to a server or a DMZ (demilitarized zone). The PoolWarden IP address can be set (DHCP turned off) so the IP address is always the same.

Controllers
Communication
Communcation Examples
Setup Examples
Data Service
Wizards
PoolWarden Manual
PoolWarden Flyer
Photo Gallery

Other Information
ORP
Why Automate
Cynuric Acid CYA
Controller Evolution
Aqua Balance