FAQ¶
Setup¶
Do I need any technical skills to install ChillCheck?
No professional IT skills are required. If you're comfortable following instructions and have used a router before, you can install ChillCheck yourself. The process involves flashing an SD card and running one script — both are covered step-by-step in the Getting Started guide.
Can I use any Raspberry Pi model?
ChillCheck requires a Raspberry Pi 4. The Pi 3B+ may work but is not tested or supported. Older models (Pi Zero, Pi 2) will not work.
What if I don't have an ethernet port near the equipment?
The Pi can connect via Wi-Fi, but ethernet is strongly recommended for reliability. A long ethernet cable run from your router is usually the best solution. A Wi-Fi extender with an ethernet port is another option.
How many sensors can one hub support?
Up to 20 sensors per hub. For larger sites, multiple hubs can be used (one per floor or area). Each hub is linked to the same account.
Do sensors work through thick walls or doors?
The SNZB-02LD has a range of approximately 10–30 m in open air. Thick walls, metal enclosures (walk-in freezers), and interference can reduce range. In practice, most installations work without issue as the Pi only needs to be in the same room or adjacent room to the sensors.
Can I install the Pi inside the walk-in chiller?
No. The Pi must be in a dry, room-temperature location. Install it outside the chiller and the sensor inside.
Sensors & readings¶
How often do sensors report temperature?
Sensors report every 30 seconds by default (configurable in Zigbee2MQTT settings). This is more than sufficient for compliance purposes and for catching rapid temperature changes.
What happens if a sensor battery dies?
The sensor stops sending readings. The hub detects the sensor as offline (no readings for >30 minutes) and the dashboard shows it as offline. You'll receive an alert if offline detection is enabled for that sensor.
Replace with a standard CR2450 coin cell battery, available from supermarkets and online retailers.
Can I name sensors?
Yes. In Settings → Devices, click the pencil icon next to any sensor to give it a human-readable name (e.g. "Back of house chest freezer"). The name appears on the dashboard and in exported logs.
Can a sensor be assigned to more than one cabinet?
No. Each sensor is assigned to exactly one cabinet. To monitor a single cabinet with two sensors (for redundancy), add both sensors and assign them each individually — but be aware this will generate two readings per cabinet.
Alerts¶
What channels are available for alerts?
- Email — included on all plans, sent immediately on threshold breach
- SMS — Pro and Enterprise plans, sent after a configurable delay
- Voice call — Pro and Enterprise plans, escalation if SMS is unacknowledged
Can I set different alert contacts for different cabinets?
Currently all contacts receive alerts for all cabinets at a site. Per-cabinet contact configuration is planned for a future release.
Why did I receive a call in the middle of the night?
If the default out-of-hours behaviour is not configured, ChillCheck will escalate to a voice call at any time. To set quiet hours, go to Settings → Alert Rules and configure your business hours. During out-of-hours, you can choose to skip SMS and go straight to a call (useful for critical failures that genuinely need immediate response) or to only send email.
How do I stop receiving test alerts?
Test alerts sent from Settings → Contacts are for verification only and cannot be disabled. If you're receiving repeated live alerts, check the cabinet temperature and acknowledge the alert in the dashboard.
Account & billing¶
What's included in the free trial?
All new accounts get 30 days free on the Pro plan. After the trial, you'll be moved to the Starter plan unless you upgrade.
What's the difference between Starter and Pro?
| Feature | Starter (£5/mo) | Pro (£10/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Sites | 1 | 5 |
| Cabinets | 5 | Unlimited |
| Users | 2 | 10 |
| Email alerts | Yes | Yes |
| SMS / voice alerts | No | Yes (metered) |
| Data retention | 12 months | 3 years |
| Compliance export | Yes | Yes |
How much do SMS and voice calls cost?
- SMS: £0.05 per message
- Voice call: £0.05 per minute
These are billed in arrears on top of your monthly subscription. Typical usage for a 5-cabinet site is £1–5/month in SMS/call charges.
Can I add more users to my account?
Yes. Go to Settings → Team to invite users by email. Starter plan supports 2 users; Pro supports 10; Enterprise is unlimited.
Privacy & data¶
Where is my data stored?
Readings and account data are stored in Supabase (PostgreSQL), hosted in the EU (Ireland). ChillCheck does not share your data with third parties.
Who can see my temperature data?
Only users in your organisation can see your data. ChillCheck staff can access data for support purposes only.
What happens to my data if I cancel?
Your data is retained for 90 days after cancellation, then permanently deleted. You can export your full temperature history in CSV format at any time before cancellation.
Still have a question?¶
Email us at hello@chillcheck.online — we usually respond within one business day.