diff --git a/rattail_tempmon/client.py b/rattail_tempmon/client.py
index abefb7d..c3d8b63 100644
--- a/rattail_tempmon/client.py
+++ b/rattail_tempmon/client.py
@@ -72,46 +72,60 @@ class TempmonClient(Daemon):
 
         # main loop: take readings, pause, repeat
         while True:
+            self.take_readings(client_uuid)
+            time.sleep(self.delay)
 
-            session = Session()
+    def take_readings(self, client_uuid):
+        """
+        Take new readings for all enabled probes on this client.
+        """
+        session = Session()
 
+        try:
+            client = session.query(tempmon.Client).get(client_uuid)
+            self.delay = client.delay or 60
+            if client.enabled:
+                for probe in client.enabled_probes():
+                    self.take_reading(session, probe)
+
+        except:
+            log.exception("Failed to read/record temperature data (but will keep trying)")
+            session.rollback()
+
+        else:
+            # make sure we show as being online
+            if not client.online:
+                client.online = True
             try:
-                client = session.query(tempmon.Client).get(client_uuid)
-                self.delay = client.delay or 60
-                if client.enabled:
-                    for probe in client.enabled_probes():
-                        self.take_reading(session, probe)
-
+                session.commit()
             except:
                 log.exception("Failed to read/record temperature data (but will keep trying)")
                 session.rollback()
 
-            else:
-                # make sure we show as being online
-                if not client.online:
-                    client.online = True
-                try:
-                    session.commit()
-                except:
-                    log.exception("Failed to read/record temperature data (but will keep trying)")
-                    session.rollback()
-
-            finally:
-                session.close()
-
-            time.sleep(self.delay)
+        finally:
+            session.close()
 
     def take_reading(self, session, probe):
         """
         Take a single reading and add to Rattail database.
         """
         reading = tempmon.Reading()
-        reading.client = probe.client
-        reading.probe = probe
         reading.degrees_f = self.read_temp(probe)
-        reading.taken = datetime.datetime.utcnow()
-        session.add(reading)
-        return reading
+
+        # a reading of 185.0 °F indicates some sort of power issue.  when this
+        # happens we log an error (which sends basic email) but do not record
+        # the temperature.  that way the server doesn't see the 185.0 reading
+        # and send out a "false alarm" about the temperature being too high.
+        # https://www.controlbyweb.com/support/faq/temp-sensor-reading-error.html
+        if reading.degrees_f == 185.0:
+            log.error("got reading of 185.0 from probe: %s", probe.description)
+
+        else: # we have a good reading
+            reading.client = probe.client
+            reading.probe = probe
+            reading.taken = datetime.datetime.utcnow()
+            session.add(reading)
+            return reading
 
     def read_temp(self, probe):
         """
@@ -126,7 +140,9 @@ class TempmonClient(Daemon):
         equals_pos = lines[1].find('t=')
         if equals_pos != -1:
             temp_string = lines[1][equals_pos+2:]
+            # temperature data comes in as celsius
             temp_c = float(temp_string) / 1000.0
+            # convert celsius to fahrenheit
             temp_f = temp_c * 9.0 / 5.0 + 32.0
             return round(temp_f,4)