INSTEON 2843-222 Wireless Open/Close Sensor

[k5map]

I was looking to purchase the Wireless Open/Close Sensor and using it to monitor the open/close of my garage door.  Was curious if anyone else has installed one of these on their garage door or outside of the main house (wondering if there would be any issues with it being exposed to some of the weather).

[Teken]

I was looking to purchase the Wireless Open/Close Sensor and using it to monitor the open/close of my garage door.  Was curious if anyone else has installed one of these on their garage door or outside of the main house (wondering if there would be any issues with it being exposed to some of the weather).

 

I believe if you take into consideration that the unit is not weather rated and will at least be inside of the garage opposed to being on the outside.

 

You may find the Open / Close sensor to be a great fit and solution for basic monitoring. Keep in mind you should be using high quality Lithium batteries as they operate much better in sub zero temps. It goes with out saying proper RF coupling needs to be in place if you want consistent performance.

 

I've had two of them outside for more than four years and they have worked flawlessly in minus -50'C weather. Note, Smartlabs does not indicate or advertise the device will operate in such extreme weather conditions.

 

So, no throwing rocks on them if the device dies under the two year warranty period.

[stusviews]

A magnetic switch designed for garage doors (weatherproof) connected to an I/O Linc may be more reliable.

[k5map]

Appreciate the feedback on use/reliability of the device... does it have the ability to notify the ISY when the battery is low (like with the sensor)?

[Teken]

Appreciate the feedback on use/reliability of the device... does it have the ability to notify the ISY when the battery is low (like with the sensor)?

No, this device does not have a heart beat / low battery indicator. You could always repurpose a leak sensor as a open / close sensor.

 

You would need to solder or attach two wires to a external reed magnet device. Then relabel the wet / dry node to open / close.

 

The only thing you can't change is the icon that reflects the wet water sensor. But in the big picture that isn't a big issue.

 

Using the leak sensor program from Belias you can then receive open / close alerts, heart beat, and know if the device is in range of a RF device.

 

I am converting three of mine to do so as a test next month.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[k5map]

Interesting... if there's no heart beat or low battery alert, how did you ever know the battery expired or if the device failed?

[Teken]

Interesting... if there's no heart beat or low battery alert, how did you ever know the battery expired or if the device failed?

You didn't.

 

A person would need to be diligent in changing out the battery once a year and confirming operations. This is part of the reason I have considered deploying the leak sensor instead for the benefits listed above.

 

Future open / close sensors will have both but the time line for release is unknown.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[k5map]

Appreciate the heads up on the new version (something else for my wishlist)...

 

Did you consider the earlier suggestion by stu about using a magnetic switch and IOLinc as opposed to modifying the leak sensor?

[Teken]

Appreciate the heads up on the new version (something else for my wishlist)...

 

Did you consider the earlier suggestion by stu about using a magnetic switch and IOLinc as opposed to modifying the leak sensor?

No, because I already have a I/O linc which controls and monitor the GDO. The purpose and intent of the wireless Insteon sensor was to have a third layer of monitoring of the position of the door without the reliance of AC power.

 

My security alarm system already monitors the GDO independently.

 

My use case was for another method to determine the position of the door for safety reasons. There are four cameras which monitor and watch for the door position also.

 

Essentially the open / close sensor was deployed to allow more logic in the Insteon network all the while providing alert notification should any one system fail or be off line.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stusviews]

Our two garage doors are also controlled from a KeypadLinc. If a garage door is open, then the corresponding button is lit. Those buttons also have a red diffuser in place of the clear ones. A monitor showing the exterior of the garage doors is next to the KPL.

 

Although not a sophisticated as Teken's, we do have a manual release for the garage doors. And one for the driveway gate, too

[Teken]

Yes, having a KPL with a red defuser is one of the best indicator lights you could ever have for various remote locations.

 

I have a few and love them!

 

I have three LCD displays in the master bedroom, front entrance, and secure room which shows all the zones in the home and property.

 

I think if people use and understand the limitations of Insteon its a great extra layer that people can use effectively.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[k5map]

Stu,

 

I asked questions about the wireless sensor as my plan was to use it in the exact same way you have with your setup... 

 

I have 2 Keypad's and want to use one button on each to show the open/close position of the garage door.  Based on Teken's comment about a new version, I will purchase the current model and then replace it once the new version (with a low battery alert) is released.

[stusviews]

Powerline communication is more reliable that RF. In any case, ensure that you have at least one dual-band device near the Open/Close Sensor. BTW, an I/O Linc can also operate most garage doors.

 

Keep it green in '15

[k5map]

I was giving some thought to using the INSTEON Garage Door Kit (74551).  But after reading this link, I have a few concerns

 

http://wiki.universal-devices.com/index.php?title=ISY-99i/ISY-26_INSTEON:Garage_Door_Kit

 

1. Are you required to setup 2 scenes for the Keypad button (one for control and one to have the button LED show the position of the door)?
2. Do you have to reset the IOLinc options if power is lost?
3. The Wiki link states to set the IOLinc to use Momentary A but Page 9 of the Owner's Manual shows the setting to be Momentary C.  Why the difference?
4. I have a LiftMaster garage door.  How can I confirm if this kit supports this garage door?

[stusviews]

1. Yes. I actually have a few controllers and a few responders. I also use a BuzzLinc as a responder to door movement.

 

2. I've never had to reset any of my seven I/O Lincs due to a power loss. I do a lot of power on and off.

 

3. Most garage door operators do not have separate up, down and stop. Each time you send the same command to a garage door opener, it responds differently. Click to open-if it's closed. But the same click closes the garage door if it's open. Or stops it if it's moving. Momentary A replicates that action. Send an On and it opens if it's closed. The same On closes the door if it's closed and stops the door if it's moving.

 

With Momentary A you can choose if you want an Insteon On to do that or an Insteon Off to do that.

With Momentary C, the I/O Linc pays attention to the sensor, so you can have, for example On open the door and Off close it.

 

I prefer Momentary B.

 

4. The older the operator, the more likely that the kit will support it. Modern operators have gotten much more sophisticated, they keep time , allow you to post messages and even more. If there is a two-wire button available, then definitely yes. If not, then post the model of the operator and, especially, the wall remote. Some posters have soldered wires to a hand held remote and connected those to the I/O Linc.

 

Keep it green in '15

[k5map]

Stu,

 

Thanks again for answering all of my questions.  Your feedback has been VERY helpful along with the info at this link:

 

http://www.samaklis.com/blog/blog/2013/04/21/isy99i-garage-kit-setup/

 

BuzzLinc is the next project after the garage.  The only change I was considering with the BuzzLinc is the buzzer.  I was looking to use a 50-60db buzzer versus 90db (don't need to wake up the neighbors )

[Teken]

Appreciate the heads up on the new version (something else for my wishlist)...

 

 

 

It looks like this feature has now been released please review this thread: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14971-heartbeat-function-on-2843-222-rev19-openclose-sensor/

[rlanza1054]

Hi all,

 

I just found another head scratcher!

 

I sat down tonight to just write down all my Insteon address and devices associated with them to a Word document. I realize I could use the built-in report but I want to do this for me.

 

I was using the ISY admin program to get the address so I did not have to physically run to each device to get the address.

 

When I got to the Open/Close Sensor after writing down the address, I noticed that that model number that shows up just below the name is for the TriggerLinc showing model number: 2421. The model number of the Open/Close Sensor is 2843-222 (I'm looking at the box it came in).

 

I removed the Open/Close Sensor from the ISY and then added it back in but istead of using Auto-Discovery mode, I used the drop down menu to pick the 2843-222. But when it added it back in, it changed it back to the TriggerLinc 2421?

 

Why is it doing that?

 

Why is ISY still doing Auto-Discovery even when I specifically picked the 2843-222?

 

I should say that the TriggerLinc options are correct, because I am using the new model that does not contain any jumper settings inside the unit.

 

It got added with Open, Closed and Heartbeat

 

Just asking if there is a reason its not using the correct model?

 

Thanks!

 

Rob

[stusviews]

Not to worry. The TriggeLinc is the old name for the Open/Close Sensor and naught has changed, so there's no reason to change anything in the ISY just to accommodate a different designation (other than relieving some confusion). Each additional item uses a bit more memory.

[Teken]

The legacy names have remained for what ever reason for older devices before smartlabs decided to call them something else.

 

It's not anything to worry about and this question comes up at least 2-3 times a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ideals are peaceful - History is violent

[bfish]

is it possible to have these sensors function where they respond when "closed" (magnet moves near sensor) vs. "Open) (responds when magnet is moved away from the sensor)?  If so, how?

 

Thanks!

[jerlands]

is it possible to have these sensors function where they respond when "closed" (magnet moves near sensor) vs. "Open) (responds when magnet is moved away from the sensor)?  If so, how?

 

Thanks!

 

I don't know if I understand your question fully but the following program uses both states to control an on/off module

Cabinet Door - [ID 00BA][Parent 00B9]

If
        'Open-Close Sensors / Master BR Media-Opened' Status is On
 
Then
        Set 'On-Off Module Master BR Media' On
 
Else
        Set 'On-Off Module Master BR Media' Off
 

Jon...

[stusviews]

The sensor does respond to both open and close. The sensor will send an on when opened and an off when closed. If you want another device to turn on when the sensor is closed, then you can do that with a program.

[jerlands]

is it possible to have these sensors function where they respond when "closed" (magnet moves near sensor) vs. "Open) (responds when magnet is moved away from the sensor)?  If so, how?

 

Thanks!

 

This link might answer your question a little further...

 

Apparently there's a jumper that can be removed so that the closed node sends an on command.

 

 

 

Jon

[stusviews]

That depends on the age of the sensor. Revisions 1.9 and later do not have the jumper.