Exterior motion detector

[oskrypuch]

Been using the old X10 PHS01 Sensor/Floodlight unit (with no floodlights) as an external, wired, motion sensor. It appears that it is no longer in production.

 

Mine has now given up the ghost, and there doesn't seem to be any similar replacement in Insteon.

 

What are folks using for exterior (summer/winter) motion sensors? Would hate to try to use the 2420s outside, and in the cold.

 

* Orest

 

[stusviews]

One solution is to get a standard motion sensing outdoor fixture and connect the sensor to a Micro On/Off Module sense #1 wire. Connect the lamp socket(s) to the Micro Module load connection. OTOH, one user reported that the Insteon Motion Sensor somehow got knocked off an disappeared in the snow. Some time later, when found, it still worked.

[Harvvm]

Insteon 2842. Been working for 2+ years.

[TrojanHorse]

Insteon 2842. Been working for 2+ years.

Same here. Use them for automation and convenience. These are NOT security devices but they work well for a custom motion light and to receive notifications of motion outside. Best thing is they are quick to deploy and can be moved easily to find the best location. Survived 2 years in MN winters. Replacing batteries now and will see how long those last, but the units have survived thus far.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wbgookin]

Do you do anything to weatherproof them? I'd like to put one in a spot that has no roof overhang, so it would be completely out in the open.

[paulbates]

Do you do anything to weatherproof them? I'd like to put one in a spot that has no roof overhang, so it would be completely out in the open.

Hi, welcome to the forums!

 

They can take the heat and cold, but do not do well in heavy, sustained rain. The symptom is, after about 12 hours after the sustained rain, they will just start triggering every 10 seconds for no reason.. when it gets to that point, no amount of factory resetting, etc, will do anything to get them working again, in my experience.

 

Like you, I have a spot that is just perfect and I can cover most of my yard and drive with one sensor, but its out in the open.  I've tried various ways to seal the case seams, but I think it gets in where the lens hits the bezel. If at all possible, have something over the top of it to keep rain off of it.

 

Paul

[wbgookin]

Thanks Paul...that's what I was afraid of. I'll have to look around to see if I have another decent spot, or if I can find some sort of shield I can hot glue to the top of the sensor itself. There should be something that will do the job without looking hideous.

 

Bill

[Teken]

I believe anyone who is serious about long term performance should consider the example outlined by Stu. Use either a Micro or

(ILL) Inline Linc if it still has the sense wire? In the past the older ILL's had a sense wire but recall this was slowly phased out in newer models.

 

Having said this, I've had several Insteon motions sensors deployed outside for more than seven years. One has been installed in my garage for about five years and hasn't skipped a beat. The other is mounted to a 25 foot multi purpose pole and has been exposed to +40 to -45'C weather for 7 plus years.

 

Its fair to say my use case is well outside what the device is spec'd for and can't throw stones at Smartlabs if it failed. It should be noted the device also doesn't have an official IP rating so this needs to be kept in mind.