Monitoring of winter bee cluster via Internet

[Boris]

For the first time in beekeeping and bee observation, the setup you see on my web site makes it possible to monitor a bee cluster position in real time via the Internet throughout the winter.
Please click on the link below. Boris
http://www.beebehavior.com/live_camera_winter.php

[latebee]

 Thanks Boris-nice job! I did notice that your hives are being wintered with what appears to be 4 or 5 supers on,or am I mistaken? Will have to check in on your web site again.

[pdmattox]

Very cool idea. thanks for the pics.

[TwT]

very nic pic's, I like the infer-red.....

[Ymbe]

Hi Boris, this is a great idea.

What's the likely minimum external temperature going to be where you are?

The full article Boris referenced, including the infra red pictures and more findings, is located here

http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/content/full/206/2/353?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=infrared&searchid=1139251218748_2955&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=3&journalcode=jexbio


It is well worth a read.

[Boris]

Hi Boris, this is a great idea.

What's the likely minimum external temperature going to be where you are?

-25C ,  click here to see more http://www.beebehavior.com/bee_max_hives_pictures.php
 Boris

[Rich V]

What's way cool. Great job.

Rich V

[Robo]

Hey Boris,

Where abouts are you located?  I'm in Olivebridge (right by the Ashohan Reservoir)

I did a similar experiment one year on a nuc in my basement, except I used a string of Dallas 1-wire sensors hooked to my serial port, recorded the temperature every 5 minutes and graphed it. I have been going to do it on a full hive outside, but it seems that I'm always in a rush in the fall and never get it set up in time.


Good luck with your endeavor. 


edit - I missed the infra-red the first time,  neat :shock:

[Boris]

Hey Boris,

Where abouts are you located?  I'm in Olivebridge (right by the Ashohan Reservoir)

I did a similar experiment one year on a nuc in my basement, except I used a string of Dallas 1-wire sensors hooked to my serial port, recorded the temperature every 5 minutes and graphed it. I have been going to do it on a full hive outside, but it seems that I'm always in a rush in the fall and never get it set up in time.


Good luck with your endeavor. 


edit - I missed the infra-red the first time,  neat :shock:

My bee hives location is Grahamsville, NY near the Rondout Reservoir.  Boris

[2-Wheeler]

Great website Boris! There is lots of useful stuff. I'll come back and check again from time to time.

[Boris]

"I did a similar experiment one year on a nuc in my basement, except I used a string of Dallas 1-wire sensors hooked to my serial port,.."

Robo, where did you buy Dallas 1-wire sensors?  I cannot find such sensors for the reasonable price. 
Boris

[Robo]

"I did a similar experiment one year on a nuc in my basement, except I used a string of Dallas 1-wire sensors hooked to my serial port,.."

Robo, where did you buy Dallas 1-wire sensors?  I cannot find such sensors for the reasonable price. 
Boris

Boris,

The cheapest I have found is directly from Maxim for <$3 each.  They sometimes have a lead time to deliver, so anthoer place that has them at a higher cost but seems to have good references on the weather forum is Hobby Boards, I have not personally bought anything from them though.   I use a program called digitemp to monitor and record the readings.  I have it tied into my home automation server, but it can easily be run from cron.