Do the door & motion sensors rely on bluetooth or wi-fi of some type? I'm trying to figure out if their is a way to increase the range a bit from the base station to the sensors.
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One fellow on here reported good results by connecting a longer antenna to the sensor. I suppose a more effective antenna on the base would work, but I don't recall anyone reporting on trying it.
There are three factors in range - the power of the transmitted signal and the sensitivity of the receiver (which probably would not be practical to enhance), the effectiveness of the antennas, and the height of the transmitting antenna (mount the base higher to see if that helps).
You can disassemble the sensor and attach a wire to the internal antenna, and have it exit a hole in the plastic casing that you drill. The sensors all use 433.92 MHz transmitters, so you want a quarter wave long monopole type antenna which is a total wire length of 6.800 inches. Be sure to include any of the internal wire antenna in the total length calculation. For a more compact antenna you can use a loaded coil antenna or a helical coil antenna, however they will not have quite as much gain.
Thanks for all these comments and the wealth of information. I have a SS3 Water Sensor that intermittently disconnects. I had a lengthy conversation w/ SS and am under the conclusion I need to try what Jim (above) posted. (Thank you, Jim!)
My Water Sensor is located next to a partially enclosed cement sump pump tank and I need to be able to monitor a potential septic fail/overflow. It works fine for a week or two, then goes off-line for a few days. This has been going on since new and I have traded between w/ other Water Sensors and determined it is not a unit issue.
This would be an interesting test for a number of reasons. The 433mhz range is used by a LOT of device so amplifying that signal might result in some unexpected behavior at your house. And your neighbors. And their neighbors. (Depending on how much you amplify the signal, in which direction(s), etc.) Also it assumes that the modulation SS uses is supported by the repeater? I'm not a radio technician but it seems like it's possible it "just works" but also possible it "doesn't work"?
whoaru99
1.3K Messages
5 years ago
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kegan36604
12 Messages
5 years ago
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sevensiamesecats
2.2K Messages
5 years ago
There are three factors in range - the power of the transmitted signal and the sensitivity of the receiver (which probably would not be practical to enhance), the effectiveness of the antennas, and the height of the transmitting antenna (mount the base higher to see if that helps).
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whoaru99
1.3K Messages
5 years ago
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Jim
44 Messages
3 years ago
You can disassemble the sensor and attach a wire to the internal antenna, and have it exit a hole in the plastic casing that you drill. The sensors all use 433.92 MHz transmitters, so you want a quarter wave long monopole type antenna which is a total wire length of 6.800 inches. Be sure to include any of the internal wire antenna in the total length calculation. For a more compact antenna you can use a loaded coil antenna or a helical coil antenna, however they will not have quite as much gain.
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hf1
2 Messages
2 years ago
Thanks for all these comments and the wealth of information. I have a SS3 Water Sensor that intermittently disconnects. I had a lengthy conversation w/ SS and am under the conclusion I need to try what Jim (above) posted. (Thank you, Jim!)
My Water Sensor is located next to a partially enclosed cement sump pump tank and I need to be able to monitor a potential septic fail/overflow. It works fine for a week or two, then goes off-line for a few days. This has been going on since new and I have traded between w/ other Water Sensors and determined it is not a unit issue.
Question 1: Since the sensor is going to be modified, would there be any benefit in doubling or tripling the batteries and wiring them in parallel for better performance? The voltage would remains the same, but because the unit is outside (but under a building) I wondering if this would give the unit an edge since there is more of a temperature decrease in that location (as low as in the 20's degrees range).
Question 2: Does anyone has a link on how to build a quarter wave long monopole type antenna that would be best for these SS3 units? YouTube? I'd be happy to make one if I'm successful : )
Question 3: Has anyone done any modification on the main SS3 tower to boost signal strength?
Thanks everyone ☺️
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Mld
2 Messages
1 year ago
Has anyone tried using a 433mhz repeater to extend the range?
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gtalarico
19 Messages
7 months ago
This is the post where the antenna mod is detailed
https://support.simplisafe.com/conversations/gen-3-simplisafe/extending-range/6190c6768ea41ebb062345aa
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