Installation Guide
Step-by-step instructions for installing the HVAC IQ Pro Monitor on residential or commercial HVAC equipment. Estimated install time: 20-30 minutes.
Contents
1
What's in the Box
Your HVAC IQ Pro Monitor kit includes:
- nRF9151 DK Monitor Board — the main device with LTE cellular connectivity
- DS18B20 Temperature Probes (up to 4) — waterproof stainless steel, 3-wire
- SEN0211 CT Clamp Current Sensors (up to 4) — split-core, non-invasive
- SIM Card — pre-activated LTE data SIM (installed in board)
- USB-C Power Cable — for powering the device
- Zip ties & mounting tape — for securing sensors and device
💡
The IMEI number is printed on the label on the back of the board. You'll need this to identify your device in the dashboard.
2
Before You Start
⚠️
Safety First: Turn off power to the HVAC equipment at the breaker before opening any access panels or running wires near electrical components.
You'll need:
- Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
- Wire strippers (for thermostat signal wires, if connecting)
- USB-C power adapter (5V, 1A minimum) or USB battery bank
- Smartphone or laptop to access hvaciqpro.com
💡
The device communicates over LTE cellular — no Wi-Fi setup required. Just power it on and it connects automatically.
3
Mount the Device
Choose a mounting location near the HVAC equipment:
- Residential: Inside or on top of the furnace cabinet, or mounted to a nearby wall/joist
- Commercial: Inside the RTU control panel area, or on a nearby structural member
Secure the device using the included mounting tape or zip ties. Ensure:
- The device is protected from direct water/condensation
- Sensor wires can reach their target locations (supply plenum, return plenum, compressor wires)
- The USB-C power cable can reach an outlet
📶
The device needs LTE cellular signal. Avoid mounting deep inside metal enclosures. If signal is weak, position the antenna end of the board facing outward.
4
Connect Temperature Sensors
The DS18B20 temperature probes connect to the 1-Wire bus. Up to 4 can be daisy-chained on a single data line.
| Sensor | Typical Placement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Temp 1 (Primary) | Supply air plenum | Measures heated/cooled air output |
| Temp 2 | Return air plenum | Measures air entering the system |
| Temp 3 | Liquid line (suction) | Refrigerant diagnostics |
| Temp 4 | Outdoor ambient | Environment baseline |
Installation: Each temperature probe comes pre-wired with a connector that plugs directly into the HVAC IQ Pro Monitor. If you need to extend a probe's reach, simply match the wire colors and splice or use an extension cable.
💡
Quick install tip: For a basic install, just Temp 1 on the supply air plenum gives you the most diagnostic value. Tape or zip-tie the probe firmly to the metal ductwork, 12-18 inches from the heat exchanger.
5
Connect Current (Amp) Sensors
The SEN0211 split-core CT clamps measure electrical current non-invasively. Clip them around a single conductor (not the whole cable).
| Sensor | Typical Placement | Port |
|---|---|---|
| Amp 1 | Indoor blower motor | Port 1 |
| Amp 2 | Compressor | Port 2 |
| Amp 3 | Inducer motor | Port 3 |
| Amp 4 | Condenser fan | Port 4 |
⚠️
Important: Clamp around a single wire (hot OR neutral), not the entire power cord. Clamping the whole cord reads near zero because the magnetic fields cancel out.
Installation: Each CT clamp comes pre-wired with a connector that plugs into the corresponding port on the HVAC IQ Pro Monitor (see table above). If you need to extend a sensor's reach, match the wire colors and use an extension cable.
💡
Minimum install: Just Amp 1 on the blower motor gives you cycle detection, run-time tracking, and the most useful diagnostics. You can add more sensors later.
6
Connect Thermostat Signals (Optional)
For full cycle detection and mode tracking, you can tap into the thermostat call signals. This requires an optocoupler board (not included in base kit).
| Signal | Thermostat Wire | What It Detects |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Call | W wire (white) | Heating cycle active |
| Cool Call | Y wire (yellow) | Cooling cycle active |
| Fan Call | G wire (green) | Fan-only mode active |
🔌
Thermostat wires carry 24VAC. An optocoupler isolates this from the 3.3V device logic. Do NOT connect thermostat wires directly to the board.
💡
Skip this step for initial install. The device detects heating/cooling cycles automatically from temperature and amp patterns using AI.
7
Power On & Verify
- Connect the USB-C cable to the device and plug into a power outlet.
- The device LED will blink while connecting to the LTE network (15-60 seconds).
- Once connected, the LED turns solid green and the device begins transmitting sensor data every 30 seconds.
✅
Auto-registration: The device automatically registers itself in the system using its IMEI. No manual pairing needed — just power it on and it appears in your dashboard within 2 minutes.
LED Status Guide
| LED Behavior | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🟢 Solid green | Connected and transmitting |
| 🟡 Blinking yellow | Searching for LTE network |
| 🔴 Solid red | Error — check power and SIM card |
| ⚫ Off | No power — check USB-C connection |
8
Dashboard Setup
- Go to hvaciqpro.com/login and sign in (or create an account).
- Your device will appear automatically in the dashboard within 2 minutes of powering on.
- Click on your device to open the detail page.
- Name your device — tap the device name to edit (e.g., "123 Main St Furnace").
- Set location — add the city/state and property address.
- Assign sensor roles — in Device Settings, label which sensor is on which component (e.g., Temp 1 = Supply Air, Amp 1 = Blower Motor).
💡
Assigning sensor roles helps the AI provide more accurate diagnostics. For example, knowing Amp 1 is on the blower motor lets it detect bearing wear patterns specific to that component.
9
Run Commissioning Check
After install, verify everything is working:
- Open your device page in the dashboard.
- Click "Quick Analysis" — this captures 60 seconds of live data and reports sensor status.
- Verify each connected sensor shows a reading (not "--" or "0").
- Force a heating or cooling cycle from the thermostat and watch the readings change in real-time.
Pre-Departure Checklist
- ☑ Device shows "Online" with green indicator in dashboard
- ☑ Temperature sensor(s) showing reasonable readings (50-80°F idle)
- ☑ Amp sensor(s) showing readings during equipment run (1-30A typical)
- ☑ Device named and location set in dashboard
- ☑ Sensor roles assigned (supply air, blower motor, etc.)
- ☑ USB-C power cable secured and not at risk of being unplugged
- ☑ All access panels closed and equipment restored to normal operation
10
Troubleshooting
Device not appearing in dashboard
- Wait 2 minutes after power-on for LTE registration.
- Check the SIM card is properly seated in the board's SIM slot.
- Try repositioning the device for better cellular signal.
- Power-cycle by unplugging USB-C for 10 seconds, then reconnecting.
Temperature reading shows 0°F or "--"
- Check the DS18B20 wiring: Red → 3.3V, Black → GND, Yellow → Data P0.16.
- Ensure the probe is making contact with the duct surface (not dangling in air).
- A 4.7kΩ pull-up resistor is required on the data line (included on the board).
Amp reading stays at 0A
- Verify the CT clamp is around a single conductor, not the entire cable.
- Check all 3 wires: Red (VCC) → 3.3V, Black (GND) → GND, Green (Signal) → AIN pin.
- The clamp must be fully closed around the wire.
- Equipment must be running to see a non-zero amp reading.
Amp reading showing 25-35A constantly
- This indicates the VCC (red) wire is not connected to 3.3V power — the ADC pin is floating.
- Reconnect the red wire and power-cycle the device.
📞
Still stuck? Contact support at contact@cheekheatingandcooling.com or call (765) 993-5990. You can also use the Support page for more help.