‎Optimizing bast station location | SimpliSafe Support Home
 
usmaak's profile

343 Messages

Sunday, March 15th, 2020 4:21 PM

Optimizing bast station location

I have had no problems with the location of my base station, until I got a smart lock and put it on the side door leading to my garage.  My base station was on the floor, behind a table so that it was reasonably hidden from view.  After noticing that the lock was having a difficult time staying connected, I moved it so that it was closer to the wall that faces the garage.  I put it on the inside of a little bench that I have.  It has a lid that can be lifted up to store things like boots and gloves after the winter is over.  I ran the cable into it and put the base station in there.  This morning, I got a message that the sensor furthest from the base station was not responding.  I haven't had a single sensor issue since getting the system, so I think that moving the base station and putting it in the bench caused the problem.  I took it out and set it on the floor next to the bench instead.  Unfortunately, that makes it very visible.

I don't have a large house.  It's a two story house, and the length of the house from front to back is around 40 feet.  I used to have the base centrally located, and that put a couple of walls and distance between the base and the lock.  When I relocated the base, the lock worked, but then I had the sensor issue.

Questions:

1. Does it matter if the base is on the floor vs. higher up?  I've always had it on the floor.
2. I have a cabinet with a glass door on it and I was thinking of relocating the base there.  That would raise it about 3.5' off the floor, while still putting it in a central location.  Though it would be partially visible through the door, it would be hidden enough that nobody would find it without looking for it.  The potential problem is that it is part of the entertainment center where I have my 65" TV.  Would the proximity to the TV cause problems?

I am starting to think that perhaps the lock isn't going to work out for me.  I have three locks and the two closer to the base are working fine, other than they are not giving me notifications occasionally.  The only one I really care about that is truly useful, unfortunately, is the one that is giving me problems.

Captain

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6.2K Messages

5 years ago

@usmaak  height has a lot to do with it but the composition of the walls and floor does too.  My base unit is in a 2nd floor back bedroom on a wooden chest of drawers with a plastic framed picture in front of it.  (Yes, it was me who used an IKEA lampshade on my SS2 but location of the SS3 speaker was an issue for that shade.)

If you get creative (like getting a lampshade that can sit on top to the base or your glass cabinet, any of those can work. If you think outside of the box you will find a workable solution.

For full disclosure, my wife hated my $4 buck IKEA lamp shade.  Thinks the picture frame is a big step up. :-)

343 Messages

5 years ago

It's a newer house.  The walls are standard sheetrock with 2x6 wood framing.

I figured that the base would have to be on the 1st floor because the first floor and basement are were all of the sensors are located.  I do have a camera at the top of the second floor stairs and motion sensor on the landing going up the stairs.

I was thinking of buying a hallway cabinet of some kind that would get the base off of the floor.  I could drill a little hole into the back and run the cord in and put the base there.  I was also thinking of swapping the lock that has no problems with the side door lock to make sure that it isn't actually an issue with the lock.

Captain

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6.2K Messages

5 years ago

@usmaak do suggest you try your 2nd floor, towards the middle of the house if possible. Ours is a 2600 sq foot 2 story colonial and no issues with 40+ sensors on both floors and the basement, including the doorbell, doorlock and 3 simplicams.  Try it and let me know if it improves.

343 Messages

5 years ago

I would really help to know how many antennas it has, and how they broadcast.

Captain

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6.2K Messages

5 years ago

@usmaak  I have no clue but possibly support could tell you? In the interim, I would try moving the base to the 2nd floor.
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