I need notification if someone opens the mailbox. I was thinking about using a tilt sensor?
any ideas where I can buy some?
or any alternative idea?
thank you
I have not done this myself but have observed many ideas and alternatives on this topic. Below is a good start to learn from others:
https://community.hubitat.com/search?q=mailbox
I used an LR Zooz motion sensor, wrapped in plastic film. Mounted in the back of a plastic mailbox. The sensor is on a magnetic mount so it can be removed and brought into the house for maintenance. Bigger battery and better range than the Zooz tilt sensor. I had bad luck in the winter with Zooz tilt sensors in the garage-weak. I stuck with the Ecolink sensor in the garage. But mailbox door would be more exposed to elements, like when the door flies open in a rainstorm, vs in the back. Metal mailboxes present another challange as far as radio wave blockage.
Yes, look at the collected wisdom per the search link posted above.
I use an old Iris 3326-L mounted in the back of the box and the mailbox is about 120' feet from the nearest Zigbee device. But I have a plastic mailbox, which makes a tremendous difference.
Whatever you do, make it discrete. Technically, you can't modify the mailbox per the USPS. So I wouldn't use anything on the door.
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My stuff is about 340' away. I have a similar arrangement in my package bin, which is really just a large trash bin. The wrapped Zooz motion sensor has gotten knocked off its magnetic mount numerous times, and the bottom of the bin is not always dry. Takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. However, I should do something about that....
If your mailbox is metal, use a contact sensor with optional leads and use an addon magnetic contact to allow the signal to escape. Otherwise, good luck with consistent operation.
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Exactly how I set mine up.
My metal shed door shields the radio so I did that and it’s 100% reliable about 75’ away and not LR. It’s a good setup for such situations.
BTW, I just upgraded some contacts to ZSE41’s. Set them up LR. Zooz recommends if you stick them to a metal surface to add a 1/4” spacer to reduce radio interference and optimize rf comms. Just putting that out there.
Are you on ZWJS?
No. Still zip. I tried JS but didn’t want to spend the time to get all my battery devices reconnected.
