Author Topic: Broodminder, Beehive Health Telemetry (Read 8704 times)

Bakersdozen · « **on:** February 05, 2016, 10:35:04 am »

Through a pollinator website, I came across this gadget. It was developed by an engineer in Wisconsin who was concerned about hive health through the long winter months. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/broodminder-beehive-health-telemetry#/ His project was successfully funded through this indiegogo page. http://broodminder.com/ is their website. I will let the website explain all the details.
Broodminder had a booth at the American Beekeeping Federation meeting in January, so that gives them some credibility IMHO.
In March, they are going to launch Model 6x9, a hive scale. I can see year around possibilities for that app.

apisbees · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2016, 12:13:27 pm »

Quote from: Bakersdozen on February 05, 2016, 10:35:04 am

In March, they are going to launch Model 6x9, a hive scale. I can see year around possibilities for that app.

So can I. With it will allow Perry to know haw much it has snowed with out having to go outside. If he is close enough to the hive.the device is blue tooth so you will need to be close to get the data in to your phone of tablet.

Ray4852 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:10:16 pm »

You people think all this expensive technology is going to keep our hives alive. Its better to lift up the hive by hand and check the weight. Common sense will tell you We need at least 100lbs of honey stores in the north to get the hive through the winter. If you want to control the moisture in the hive, use an upper entrance along with a wind block to control the temps inside the hive. The article tells us beekeepers loose 30 percent of their hives every year. They want us to be leave technology will save our hives. Beekeepers with a little common sense will keep their hives alive. You can sit in the house and watch the computer now to see whats going on inside the hive. What a joke. They build and somebody will buy this crap. Common sense beekeeping is the best way to keep our hives alive not technology.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:33:42 pm »

I was actually thinking that it would be fun to have a scale on a hive during a nectar flow. I have heard other beekeepers talk about how fun it is to watch their bees pack in the nectar when they have a hive on a scale. Would I ever buy any of this equipment for myself? No. I thought some one on this forum would find this interesting too.

Quote from: Ray4852 on February 05, 2016, 09:10:16 pm

You people

What???

CBT · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2016, 07:50:24 am »

It would be another tool for the beekeepers toolbox. Some need a helpful device if the can't lift.

Les · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2016, 08:35:41 am »

Hefting the hive is problematic for me but would I buy a scale? Probably not. My personal scale is Ken

Ray4852 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2016, 08:55:55 am »

Easy way to heft a hive, use a small 2x4, stick it under the bottom board and heft up.

Zweefer · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2016, 10:04:29 am »

Thanks for sharing this. Always nice to see others solutions to problems that arise.

riverbee · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2016, 01:26:23 pm »

"You people think all this expensive technology is going to keep our hives alive. Its better to lift up the hive by hand and check the weight. Common sense will tell you We need at least 100lbs of honey stores in the north to get the hive through the winter. If you want to control the moisture in the hive, use an upper entrance along with a wind block to control the temps inside the hive. The article tells us beekeepers loose 30 percent of their hives every year. They want us to be leave technology will save our hives. Beekeepers with a little common sense will keep their hives alive. You can sit in the house and watch the computer now to see whats going on inside the hive. What a joke. They build and somebody will buy this crap. Common sense beekeeping is the best way to keep our hives alive not technology. "

ray, langstroth was probably made fun of and told numerous times that his 'technology' would never fly, and that he was full of 'crap'.
look where we are today, and keeping bees isn't all about 'common sense'. (besides, some of us sometimes forget we have common sense.........

)
like baker's not sure what you mean by 'you people'? we are all beekeepers with open minds to learning and we all share a common interest, a common goal, and a passion or love for the honey bee, and technology is in some way weaved in to how each of us keeps our bees.
it is one thing to express a personal opinion about something that you may disagree with, it's another to add negativity to it and offend other members with a negative attitude. to some this may be not be a 'joke' and may buy 'this crap'.
the future is here ray, technology, thanks to langstroth, moves on.

iddee · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2016, 01:56:17 pm »

Thank You, RB.

apisbees · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2016, 03:10:23 pm »

Hive scales can be a useful tool in beekeeping in understanding what is happening in the hives in the area during the year. Yes lifting the hive can div you an indication of stores weight and whether the hive need feeding. but a much more useful use is to monitor the hive weight from week to week so as to have positive proof of when nectar is being gathered, when the hives are in times of dearth and the correlation between nectar flows bee flight weather a bee and brood populations. The reading will give a better indication of the conditions in the area of the apiary. With the use of a scale you will know when the flows are happening and for how long they are lasting. Whether the colonies are consuming stores faster that they are coming in. It is another tool available to beekeepers, If a beekeeper decides to use them is up to them.
In support of Rays post. The marketing pitch of when you put these in your hive it will miraculously save the bees gets a little annoying. It is a tool like the gas gauge in your car if you read it and take appropriate actions your car lives. Ignore it and your car will die. but your car can drive with out a gas gauge you just need to to use other preventative methods.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2016, 08:28:02 pm »

Once again, rb has my back!
I will say that after reading some of the first few responses to my post, I was ready to pull the plug on this forum. I vowed never to return. This is not the first time someone has over reacted negatively to something I have posted. I have become hesitant to participate. It's hard to determine the writer's tone in this type of environment. But in this case it was pretty clear.
I have decided that the individuals who overreact are the ones with issues.

Perry · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2016, 08:59:34 pm »

Quote from: Bakersdozen on February 09, 2016, 08:28:02 pm

Once again, rb has my back!
I will say that after reading some of the first few responses to my post, I was ready to pull the plug on this forum. I vowed never to return. This is not the first time someone has over reacted negatively to something I have posted. I have become hesitant to participate. It's hard to determine the writer's tone in this type of environment. But in this case it was pretty clear.
I have decided that the individuals who overreact are the ones with issues.

That is a huge problem with the "net". Many people have forgotten how to carry on conversations. Without the benefit of tone, facial expressions, delivery, etc., meanings and messages can be poorly delivered or misinterpreted, and feelings hurt.
BUT, don't ever let that affect your right to participate and be a part of this forum. You would in effect be breaking a lot of hearts here with what I consider to be your second family.

Retroguy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:44:36 am »

Yup, what Perry said. Everyone has a right to their opinion but one needn't be antagonistic in voicing it. We don't have to use the new technology if we don't want to or can't afford it. If we find it helpful, great. Personally, I keep thinking about looking for old feed scales (like the Fairbanks units) that every farm used to have. Use 'em as a hive stand and just slide the wieght on the beam to see what's cooking. But I suppose those are antiques and probably cost an arm & a leg too.

20 years at a desk hasn't done me any favors. I doubt I could unload 5 tons of sacked feed anymore. I'd probably miscalculate the hive weight. 40# feels like 100# these days. :\'(

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2016, 09:27:59 am »

Quote from: Retroguy on February 11, 2016, 12:44:36 am

Personally, I keep thinking about looking for old feed scales (like the Fairbanks units) that every farm used to have. Use 'em as a hive stand and just slide the wieght on the beam to see what's cooking. But I suppose those are antiques and probably cost an arm & a leg too.

I believe that the old Fairbanks style of scale is what I have heard some keeps referring too. They get a big smile on their faces when they talk about a major honey flow and watching the scale practically move before their eyes. I also think about them setting outside and rusting. That would be a shame. That's why I thought this new gadget might have real possibilities.

As for your comment, Retroguy, about being able to lift as much as you used too... well, join the club. I can lift 50# at work, and do so on a regular basis. But beyond that I know I can't do it. Someone mentioned using a stick and wedge to heft a hive. I suppose experience is your friend here. You have to know what 100# feels like.

apisbees · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2016, 01:31:19 pm »

Beekeepers up here would build 2 side walls and a roof over them to keep the rain and snow off. it also made getting winter weight readings more accurate with the hive not covered with the extra weight of ice and snow. most would leave the hive balanced when they left, the next visit it was either increase the weight of lessen it to rebalance. The actual weight was of lesser importance.

Retroguy · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2016, 02:57:46 am »

Didn't even cross my mind to put up a roof Apis but that makes a lot of sense. When Ray mentioned the 2 x 4 fulcrum method, my mind's-eye saw the whole hive tipping over in my bee yard. I seem to have a talent for that sort of thing.

Ray4852 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2016, 08:25:18 am »

Take off your top cover blocks first. Put one hand on the top cover and use the other hand to lift up a couple inches with the 2x4. You can feel the weight of the hive. Start out by using two empty hive bodies with frames top cover and bottom board. You will know what your hive feels like when its empty. try it when your hive is full in October. By January you can feel a decrease in weight. Simple beekeeping. Its a back saver.

iddee · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2016, 08:52:45 am »

I just lift at it. If I can't lift it, it's good to go. If I can lift it, I get an idea of it's condition. I don't need to know it's weight, only that it's sufficient.

Lburou · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2016, 11:52:50 am »

Quote from: Perry on February 09, 2016, 08:59:34 pm

...Many people have forgotten how to carry on conversations. Without the benefit of tone, facial expressions, delivery, etc., meanings and messages can be poorly delivered or misinterpreted, and feelings hurt...

Perry, your comment is spot on. The use of emoticons can fill in some of the gaps missing from the non-verbal parts of human communication -some experts say that 90% of what we say is non-verbal. From time to time I may say something that seems insensitive or divisive, even just plain wrong....When I do, I ask your forgiveness here in advance and let's move forward together in our quest for that perfect bee year. I will try to do the same. On Beesource, I have quite a large 'ignore' list, not so here, and that is why I'm typing here and not there. :-)