mvader, I got your PM, thanks!
I asked zwavefan if we could discuss his project openly, and he agreed. I’m not going to post the URL though since I assume he wants to keep it private for now.
On the surface, the device itself appears to be like many other “internet connected” devices that you may have come across…like MyQ garage doors. There is a “sensor” that communicates with an “internet gateway” via proprietary RF scheme. The gateway connects to the supplier’s server via your home network internet connection. You would access your device through an app provided by the supplier. The app manages the set-up for alerts, provide visual status, set-up of the device itself (which can make audio chimes, etc.)
The primary difference here is that the internet gateway also includes native zwave support…so not only does it communicate with the supplier’s server, it acts as a z-wave device for your zwave controller. In fact, once your system is configured, you can disconnect the gateway from the internet and use it solely as a device with your zwave network.
I asked about the possibility of a zwave sensor, and the response is basically that zwave does not yet meet their specific demands for “energy efficiency and flexibility” when it comes to the sensor.
the sensor itself: (May be preliminary) Runs on batteries, but there is an optional solar panel you can install. Connects with an RF antenna that you install on your mailbox. It communicates to the base station / gateway over proprietary RF.
The base station: supports proprietary RF (for communication with the sensor), WiFi (for internet) and zWave (to connect to your vera / zwave controller).
There are plans for doing some interesting things with a “network of sensors” (think about everyone in your neighborhood having one), and the base-station itself can provide alerts with audio and / or visually.
Basically, I think it’s pretty spot on for someone who wants “plug and play” notifications for their mailbox…a one-stop-shop system. (Again, simmilar to MyQ garage doors in implementation.)
Because the base station speaks z-wave, it will also integrate nicely into our existing HA network. However, it is overkill for that purpose. (Another RF device we need to plug in and power, along with the costs of it.)
I am going to purchase one of these even though it’s overkill. 
I just want a sensor that is reliable from the outdoors in inclement weather with good range.
However, I would encourage zwavefan to continue to evaluate the possibility of having a second product that forgoes the base station and uses standard z-wave for the sensor communication directly to the owner’s zwave network. Because if someone else can come up with such a sensor, a large portion of the “automated mailbox” market will likely go there as it will surely be lower cost.
Door/Window sensor, high gain antenna, done.
Mail delivery prediction logic? :
Add an antenna to the sensor? or to Vera? Will that still have a chance of working when the sensor is encased in a metal mailbox?
As for mail prediction delivery logic…agreed. I just want to know when my mailbox is opened.
If you have an alarm system connected into your Vera the wireless sensors from Honeywell or others work great for this. I’ve been using a Honeywell 5816 wireless sensor with a strong magnet attached to the lid of the mailbox to trigger the reed switch. The mailbox is around 100 feet from the house and it has been working great for about a year now. I also use the loop 2 of the 5816 wireless sensors on my sump pumps with a float sensor to trigger if my sump pump fails.
I have Vera alerts send me a message with attached photo when the mail box is opened. According to Honeywell the 5816 has a range of around mile… and they only cost $15 on Ebay.
“With a demonstrated outdoor range of over a mile, the 5800 Series has the best performance of any transmitters available today”
this maybe off topic a little … but my aproach is more to “detect the mail” itself …
i have tried the reed version but its not exactly satisfying …
anyone may have a light-based solution ? like with infrared Photoelectric sensors or somethings …
i think thats alot more failsafe if the light is spreading wide enough inside the box … well i havent yet the perfect soltion worked out.
drawback would be that this solution needs permanent power as well to drive the Photoelectric sensors
maybe someone have some ideas in how to accomplish that.
[quote=“FireBird, post:65, topic:185724”]If you have an alarm system connected into your Vera the wireless sensors from Honeywell or others work great for this. I’ve been using a Honeywell 5816 wireless sensor with a strong magnet attached to the lid of the mailbox to trigger the reed switch. The mailbox is around 100 feet from the house and it has been working great for about a year now. I also use the loop 2 of the 5816 wireless sensors on my sump pumps with a float sensor to trigger if my sump pump fails.
I have Vera alerts send me a message with attached photo when the mail box is opened. According to Honeywell the 5816 has a range of around mile… and they only cost $15 on Ebay.
“With a demonstrated outdoor range of over a mile, the 5800 Series has the best performance of any transmitters available today”[/quote]
Firebird,
What kind of mailbox do you have? Sorry it’s not very clear on the picture. Do you have an external antenna?
No the antenna is built into the alarm sensor. The mailbox is Rubbermaid in my case, but the sensor is mounted underneath the mail box not inside of it. So it would also work with a metal mail box. I can take some photos in the morning of the mailbox and the sensor, I already had the alarm panel and a AD2USB connected to Vera so this sensor was the best option for me.
Attached a photo of a wireless sensor I have been testing with.
Just saw this post. I’ve been out of town for work. I setup the DSC vanishing door sensor on my metal mailbox. It has great range and its really small. The sensor has had no problem in cold weather and seems fairly rain resistant. If you have an alarm system already in vera I’d recommend this one.
I have a multiswitch that triggers when the mail is delivered and then turns off when it is checked. It resets each night in case we didn’t get around to checking the mail that day.
Those are great ideas…but unfortunately I have no alarm panel. Basically the proposed kickstarter mailbox sensor is similar is topology: a
non zwave sensor communicating with a paired receiver…and that receiver talks to vera.
[quote=“JoeyD, post:64, topic:185724”]Add an antenna to the sensor? or to Vera?[/quote]In this case, I was referring to the sensor, but adding one to Vera may be easier for some people.
Will that still have a chance of working when the sensor is encased in a metal mailbox?No. None will. A closed metal box, called a Faraday cage, traps radio waves and makes it impossible for them to get out. You can mount your sensor underneath the mailbox, with adequate weather protection, or you can mount it inside with an external antenna. But, it cannot be completely encased in metal, not even a metal mesh/screen.
[quote=“Gklmdawson, post:69, topic:185724”]Just saw this post. I’ve been out of town for work. I setup the DSC vanishing door sensor on my metal mailbox. It has great range and its really small. The sensor has had no problem in cold weather and seems fairly rain resistant. If you have an alarm system already in vera I’d recommend this one.
I have a multiswitch that triggers when the mail is delivered and then turns off when it is checked. It resets each night in case we didn’t get around to checking the mail that day.[/quote]
Great Idea. I have the same type of setup. how did you mount your sensor?
@ mjbok: I actually have fun with the neighborhood kids. I have all my perimeter gates arm with goodnight scene, and I include the mailbox. if anyone opens the mailbox at night, it flashes the lights and plays a scary tune on the outdoor speakers…
My sensor is about60 feet from my closet hard wired outlet on the exterior wall. Works fine. I used SLAGE door sensor and the magnet on the door of the metal mailbox, no external antenna.
3M command strips, on the magnet, and the sensor. Magnet on the door, main unit protected by the metal mailbox if mailbox is left open.
I just wanted to add my own experience with this so far.
I got the tilt sensor (was pleased with the size of this, was expecting it to be bigger from the pictures of the product). I installed it on the mailbox door yesterday with a virtual switch to be turned on when the door is opened. Our mailbox is metal and about 50 feet from the house, with the next closest sensor being about 10 feet inside the house.
It did not go off yesterday when the mail came :-
However, when I went to get the mail at night, the sensor went off
So I’m thinking I’m either near the range limit on the sensor, or the mail man didn’t open the door all the way like I did (not setting off the tilt sensor). Hopefully the sensor goes off today, otherwise I may try to add a GE outdoor switch to try and improve the range.
Thanks for the idea here!
[quote=“MrAutomate, post:74, topic:185724”]@mvader:
3M command strips, on the magnet, and the sensor. Magnet on the door, main unit protected by the metal mailbox if mailbox is left open.[/quote]
Thanks for the 3m info. where do you have the sensor located inside or outside the box.
I can only base this on my experience, but I have z-wave devices fully encased in metal and they still work just fine (Eave lights with micro switch in metal box with a metal security lights attached to it). I’m not sure why they do work, but they do in fact work without issue. Their range is likely limited but they worked and were nearly instant from the Vera.
That said, with the range that most mailboxes are from people’s houses, I think that it would be a no go for putting them inside.
You box is not fully closed. In your case you are likely getting some signal leakage along the copper electrical wires. With the microswitch antenna very close to the electrical wiring, the electrical wire itself becomes a poor antenna, carrying some signal out of the box. I’ve even seen cases where metal conduit was used and the signal comes through the light bulb’s filament. But it’s not something you can rely on.
Seemingly strange RF behavior does occur sometimes, but you can’t rely on it. Just ask the people whose Z-Wave devices don’t work because of metal gang boxes.
@mvader : I am away at the moment, but when I get home, I will snap a photo, and measure…
~73 feet away through Brick Exterior wall…Zwave outlets below the window this photo was taken, Zwave outlets on same upstairs wall, and 7 scene controller near front door, so mesh network near front door lock, and mailbox, outlets near windows serve their duty during the holidays. I will post a few pics…