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nailosity's profile

Monday, February 22nd, 2021 6:09 PM

Entry Sensor repeatedly fails

One of my entry sensors is installed on an external metal door. Unfortunately It repeatedly sends false info, either a "not responding" error or telling me the door is open when it is obviously closed. This is the 2nd sensor I've used on this door (Simplisafe replaced the first one after similar issues).

Any help or experience with this problem is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Community Admin

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536 Messages

4 years ago

Hi @nailosity,

It sounds like the metal door may be interfering with the Entry Sensor's ability to consistently send signals to your Base Station. While the options for working around this issue may be limited, it can help to add some sort of buffer between the sensor and the door which should reduce the amount of interference occurring. Something as simple as doubling up on the adhesive to make it twice as thick has shown good results in situations such as this.

SimpliSafe Social Team
SimpliSafe Home Security

6 Messages

Thanks for responding. I have done that - twice, actually. Currently it is being held about 1/2 inch off the surface of the door by a square rubber "foot" that's about the same size as the unit. So...not sure how much further I can take that particular solution. Any other suggestions?

Captain

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6.1K Messages

4 years ago

@nailosity One of my neighbors ran into this problem and over a few beers on a Saturday we  eventually solved it.  The entry sensor, as it first comes to mind, was placed on the top right of the door, where it would open first.  Using 3M painters tape, 1/2 wide, we cut off a small piece of about 2 inches, made a circle of it and used that to temporarily move the sensor around to different locations on the door. At the same time we also moved the location of the base.  Yes, it took us about a half a dozen attempts, but with the entry sensor about 1 foot off the floor on the right side and moving the base from a bedroom end table to top of the chest of drawers, it worked and worked consistently.

Will say up front of course I don't know the layout of your house, door or where the base is, but it is possible to get it to work.  If nothing works, and you don't  have cats or a large dog, you can also try a motion sensor to cover the door area.

Please post your outcome here if you get a chance. Good luck!

6 Messages

Thanks - I'll try playing around with the position of the sensor. It took me a long time to find the right position for the base, and so I do't want to mess with that since everything else is working.

Thanks - will let you know how it goes.

Cheers -

2.8K Messages

4 years ago

^ Have you tried reversing the sensor and the magnet? (i.e, put the magnet on the door, and the sensor on the door trim) - instead of sticky tape doubling up, I'd use a small piece of cardboard instead (I switched the magnet and sensor, then put the cardboard under the magnet on the door, sensor on the door trim, worked better than anything, and is still working fine today).  Might also try another sensor from the home, switch it out with the current one, see if you have the same problem, if a different sensor works, you might have yet another bad sensor and should replace it if under the 3-yr warranty.

6 Messages

4 years ago

Hey All -
Just wanted to update folks on this situation.

Coltmaster1 - I did consider that....

Captain11 - Your idea of trying a different position on the door seems to be working as of about 2 weeks.
I relocated the sensor/magnet to another position about 8 inches away from where it was originally. Not sure how such a small movement would make a significant difference but the connection seems to have stabilized.

If it goes south again at some time in the future I will revise this thread... in the meantime, thanks all!

Captain

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6.1K Messages

4 years ago

@nailosity glad its seems to be working. Have a great week, and stay safe in these crazy times.
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