I'm currently using the Wyze contact sensors and a virtual switch on HE on my gates to alert me if they are left open (escape artist dog). If you let the battery die though the sensor corrupts itself and becomes non-operable. I'm not that quick to replace batteries so need a better system. The one thing they do well though is work on a sagging gate and span the gap.
Any suggestions on a zigbee contact sensor that can handle some misalignment? I dont think I can deal with any more zwave as I really need it to work. Its this working or putting in double gates which might still be necessary
So they take some really small batteries. How about converting to a larger capacity? They are 3V, so you could use two AA or AAA and get massively upgraded capacity.
The CR1632 are reportedly 140 mAh, where even a low capacity AAA would be 800 mAh, and a low capacity AA is almost twice that.
A lithium AA, which are good in the cold, is more like 3000 mAh, so you could essentially have years upon years of battery life if you use these. I have AA lithium (the recommended battery) in my Honeywell thermostat outdoor temp and humidity sensor that have lasted like 3-4 years now.
It would be fairly simple to do this with a AA battery holder, and a soldering iron. You would probably put the battery holder in a waterproof case someplace where it was convenient, and just run a wire to the sensor.
@danabw is correct. You don’t have to use the magnet that comes with contact sensors. Most box hardware stores carry “rare earth magnets” in the hardware section and are super strong and can be used instead. Some have holes in them as they are meant to mount on something, in your case a gate it fence post.
I have multiple SmartThings multipurpose sensors installed with a gap of 1 inch between the sensor and the magnet. I have a weird door molding and the magnet has to be placed about an inch away. I just measured and it is a full inch. I also have pretty good luck with batteries. The magnet is super strong. I’m not sure if they would work in your situation. I use the device watchdog app to watch the battery and activity.
It would be fairly simple to do this with a AA battery holder, and a soldering iron. You would probably put the battery holder in a waterproof case someplace where it was convenient, and just run a wire to the sensor.
I might do this regardless. Never thought about it this way
I'm just putting in some contact sensors outside (in the cold Canadian Winter), on some wooden gates. I don't know how they are going to work, but they advertise a wide gap between the magnet and the sensor. I will let you know how these fare.
Boasts:
That’s insane. It you really don’t need a magnet that big. I use 1/4” magnets all the time and big box stores carry them too. Canadian Tire must carry them, they sell everything . Was thrown off by the name when I first walked into one of them yet amazed at the amount of things they sell.
Why not just attach a piece of timber/plastic/material of your choice to the gate or frame to extend the magnet? Even if your gate swings in both directions it should still pass though without hitting the frame.
. Was thrown off by the name when I first walked into one of them yet amazed at the amount of things they sell.
