The sensors do have a range of about 800ft in open air, so they might be able to reach a lot further than you're thinking. Usually, if you're covering an outbuilding, we would suggest that to move your Base Station to the same side of the house as that other building.
The main thing to be aware of is that physical interference does have a major impact on the signal. So if your house has brick or concrete walls, or if your garden office is built out of a metal shed, that can be the limiting factor.
I have two SS2 systems, each has at least one door sensor on detached garage. One is approximately 70ft from base to sensor, the 2nd is probably closer to 200ft from base to sensor. Been this way for months. Haven't yet received any sort of sensor not responding message. Both houses have steel siding on them.
I can't seem to get my barn sensors to stay connected. They are only 45ft away from the base station. The only interference is the metal walls. Wish I could run an Ethernet cable out to a hot spot or something and keep it connected
@chad01 there are several customer hacks that show how to install an antennae to bet further range. You have to be handy and, of course, voids your warranty, but entry sensors at under 15 bucks makes these home remedies sometimes worth trying. Use a google site search. Also check youtube.
I did this hack for a door entry sensor for the new system by soldering a 1 meter length of wire to the internal antenna. It works! Distance is 40+ ft through 3 walls from the base station.
@jackl89 As This is exactly what I was referring to, customers who are much more handy than the likes of me adapting existing products! (Sorry, have to say the obvious that this nukes your warranty.) Simplisafe, looks like a great opportunity for a whole new line of products that are "destined to leverage SS engineering and design to provide "maximum" performance at a minimal price difference"....okay, so I am not good at marketing either but I think you get the idea. Nicely done jackl89!
@captain11 No warranty is a small price to pay for getting the $15 sensor to work reliably - no dreaded "sensor not responding" message. The reported operating frequency of 300 MHz means that a 1 meter wire is full wave resonant, providing much more gain than the internal antenna stub. It's an easy 5 minute fix, just be careful to note the placement of parts (and don't lose them, especially the reset button!), and drill and solder carefully. The aesthetic drawback is the extended wire, but since I use this in the garage, I don't need to conceal it.
Was going to try this myself at some point anyway, and after coming across this thread yesterday, I decided to give it a shot for my outdoor shop sensor that has constantly failed since upgrading to G3. G1 never failed, BTW.
22 gauge stranded and insulated (smallest and all I had handy) wire, 1 meter long. Whole process took < 15 minutes. The shop is only about 200' from the base, but it's a metal (aluminum) pole building and it just hasn't worked since I put the new sensors in. Long story short(er), I got a message on my phone almost instantly after I soldered the wire, that my sensor had been restored. On the BENCH in the SHOP no less. Works like a champ now.
I may do this mod and start selling them for a small fee if SimpliSafe doesn't get their act together and offer a sensor with a longer antenna for extended range. Outstanding mod.
I have recently purchased a water sensor for my water heater. I live in a ranch type home and my base station is on the main floor in the middle of the house. My water sensor is under my water heater which is in the basement and the sensor is therefore on the concrete floor. The actual distance can't be more than 30-35ft but it's through several walls (all drywall) and two 3/4" hardwood floors (1 1/2" - don't ask). I keep getting the "sensor not responding" message. I guess I'll try the wire idea mentioned above to try and extend the range of the sensor. Thanks for the suggestion!
@bclonchii My base is upstairs in a guest bedroom and the water sensor (1 of 4) is next to the water heater and connects fine through 3 levels (basement, 1st, 2nd floor) without issue. Suggest you try moving the water sensor first and if still no luck try moving the base too.
Please post your outcome here after your attempt(s) if you get a chance.
You are exactly right, Jim. For best results and without getting into all of the technical variations and options, one meter will produce the most optimal results from my research. I have been thinking about slightly over powering mine also as another option to boost signal strength as mine seems prone to time of year also (humidity, temp. foliage, etc.), but I haven't gone down that rabbit hole. Yet. LOL
You want exactly 6.80 inches in length, including the length of the internal wire is you are leaving that in place and connecting to the far end of that wire.
The wavelength over air of a 433MHz is approximately 69 cm (27.2"), so an antennae of that size (which is slightly less than a meter) should give the best gain. 1/2 or 1/4 lengths should also provide a significant improvement however. The 6.8" (17.3cm) number given is 1/4 length antennae.
Enough Already! Simplisafe - release a plug in repeater with 24-hour battery backup - like Ring! Come on already! I cannot locate the base station where all devices are in range. This is stupid... 800 feet "open air" range is a useless metric. People walls, metal ductwork, stone, granite, solid poured concrete foundations, etc. You need to develop a solution now for the realities many homes, or forget, I am gone, and I'm sure many others have left or are considering.
And your latest firmware update WIPED OUT my continuation. EVERY DEVICE was removed. As ridiculous that is on its own, what if I were on vacation and the update just "happened"? (I didn't initiate the update)
The reliability is Simplisafe is well below the threshold one must maintain for a SECURITY system.
(edited)
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Official Response
davey_d
Community Admin
•
4.3K Messages
3 years ago
Hi!
The sensors do have a range of about 800ft in open air, so they might be able to reach a lot further than you're thinking. Usually, if you're covering an outbuilding, we would suggest that to move your Base Station to the same side of the house as that other building.
The main thing to be aware of is that physical interference does have a major impact on the signal. So if your house has brick or concrete walls, or if your garden office is built out of a metal shed, that can be the limiting factor.
(edited)
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whoaru99
1.3K Messages
3 years ago
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chad01
3 Messages
2 years ago
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captain11
Captain
•
5.1K Messages
2 years ago
Here is one link to get you started. Good luck.
https://www.instructables.com/Boosting-Signal-Range-of-SimpliSafe-DoorWindow-Sen/
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bclonchii
1 Message
10 months ago
I have recently purchased a water sensor for my water heater. I live in a ranch type home and my base station is on the main floor in the middle of the house. My water sensor is under my water heater which is in the basement and the sensor is therefore on the concrete floor. The actual distance can't be more than 30-35ft but it's through several walls (all drywall) and two 3/4" hardwood floors (1 1/2" - don't ask). I keep getting the "sensor not responding" message. I guess I'll try the wire idea mentioned above to try and extend the range of the sensor. Thanks for the suggestion!
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matthewbhudson
2 Messages
5 months ago
Thanks for this I've just soldered a wire to the antenna and the door sensor is now working at range.
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Jim
39 Messages
5 months ago
You actually want the antenna wire to be exactly 1/4 wavelength long. The frequency used is exactly 433.92 MHz.
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WilsonFlyer
2 Messages
5 months ago
You are exactly right, Jim. For best results and without getting into all of the technical variations and options, one meter will produce the most optimal results from my research. I have been thinking about slightly over powering mine also as another option to boost signal strength as mine seems prone to time of year also (humidity, temp. foliage, etc.), but I haven't gone down that rabbit hole. Yet. LOL
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matthewbhudson
2 Messages
5 months ago
I'll shorten mine then, thanks!
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Jim
39 Messages
5 months ago
You want exactly 6.80 inches in length, including the length of the internal wire is you are leaving that in place and connecting to the far end of that wire.
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Streaky
11 Messages
4 months ago
There's a big difference (relatively speaking) between one metre (39.3701") and 6.8" (0.17272 metre).
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samd256
1 Message
2 months ago
The wavelength over air of a 433MHz is approximately 69 cm (27.2"), so an antennae of that size (which is slightly less than a meter) should give the best gain. 1/2 or 1/4 lengths should also provide a significant improvement however. The 6.8" (17.3cm) number given is 1/4 length antennae.
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thrang
4 Messages
25 days ago
Enough Already! Simplisafe - release a plug in repeater with 24-hour battery backup - like Ring! Come on already! I cannot locate the base station where all devices are in range. This is stupid... 800 feet "open air" range is a useless metric. People walls, metal ductwork, stone, granite, solid poured concrete foundations, etc. You need to develop a solution now for the realities many homes, or forget, I am gone, and I'm sure many others have left or are considering.
And your latest firmware update WIPED OUT my continuation. EVERY DEVICE was removed. As ridiculous that is on its own, what if I were on vacation and the update just "happened"? (I didn't initiate the update)
The reliability is Simplisafe is well below the threshold one must maintain for a SECURITY system.
(edited)
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