Doorbell with relay and sensor - sensitivity

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
1

I wanted to connect to my existing doorbell in a way that I thought I could handle it, which I did… but I have a question about sensitivity of the sensor I’m using. Here’s how it’s set up: I have this relay [url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LESCI2]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LESCI2[/url] connected to my doorbell. Then I have N/C and Com connected to inputs on this Schlage RS100HC sensor [url=http://www.amazon.com/Schlage-RS100HC-SL-Window-Intelligence/dp/B008Q5CTBE/]http://www.amazon.com/Schlage-RS100HC-SL-Window-Intelligence/dp/B008Q5CTBE/[/url].

When I initially tested it everything worked fine. Currently I have it set to send a notification to my phone (Veraalert) and pause my Sonos players, as well as turn on the outside light if it’s night time. Then I had someone come over and ring the doorbell and was trying to figure out why my music kept playing. I decided to play around and realized if the doorbell is pressed too quickly the sensor doesn’t trip. The relay activates every time (it has a red light that comes on when it activates) but the sensor only reacts if it’s held for a little more than half a second. Doesn’t seem like much but some people are fast ringers.

I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to have the Schlage sensor react any faster? I’m not sure if another Zwave door/window sensor would react any quicker or if they will all have that limitation.

2

I did my doorbell the exact same way you did and had the same problem at first when I had it hoked up to one of my security system sensors. I then tried the Everspring door window sensor and it works great, even a real quick push of the button triggers it.

3

I tried to save a few bucks by going with the Schlage, I should have gotten the Everspring to start with. I may pick one up and try it out and if that works I’m sure I can find another place for the Schlage sensor.

4

I am using the Schlage, because the battery life (or lack thereof) on the SM103s was unacceptable to me. But even when I used the SM103, I had to have a capacitor in the circuit to prolong the time the relay was held open. I think some of this just varies with the doorbell itself.

–Richard

5

What size capacitor did you use? Maybe that’s something I can try. Unfortunately I haven’t gotten in to electronics too much and I start to get lost beyond a simple relay.

6

As others often point out, search is your friend:

http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,3010.30.html