Sensor - temperature adjustment or defective?

@ SKyle

Thanks for posting! When testing the motion sensors, remember that they require a warm-up time due to the fact that they are thermal so they must register an ambient room temperature. Warm-up time is 2 minutes. So set your alarm to AWAY and wait a full two minutes after the Exit Delay Countdown ends and perform your test then. It should detect your presence with no issues!

Ryan K.
SimpliSafe Buglar Alarms

Dear Ryan,

Thank you for the response. However, in both times, it happened early in the morning. I had forgotten my system was armed and walked in front of them. In the second time, after I walked in front of it, I waved my hand. What do you think it happened? Those were the two incidents.
Thanks again!

Sensitivity is directly proportional to the difference between ambient temperature and body heat. The warmer it is in the room, the less sensitivity window exists for the pir to discriminate temperature. I'm not saying that it was 90+ degrees in your house but sensitibvity goes down as ambient temperature goes up. In high temp situations, coupling infra red with ultrasonic mitigates the issue. Also, most all pir's use pulse count so it needs to see more than "1" temp differential to trigger. If the sensor is pointing in the direction of a window and it's, as you say, in the morning, it's not inconceivable that the sensor is read a high ir temp and that could cause it not to trip. My advice would be to re-locate the sensor and se if the problem is still present. Make sure its not pointed at a heat source or a surface that would reflect and attenuate the thermal read on the sensor.

Hi,

THank you again for the response.

As I mentioned in my first message, it has been around 50-55 F in my area. Early mornings are colder and it will get colder once winter approaches.

I can't change the position of the sensor because I placed it in front of the stairs. It's about 4 feet from the floor, facing the stairs.

On the other occasions, it worked. My concern is as winter approaches, I expect the motion sensor to detect any movement.

Well, the colder the ambient temperature, the higher the pir's discriminator trip threshold will be. I'd check mounting position and background. The sensors use some pretty good parts - same as many of the better known companies and I assume the detection algorithms haven't been altered so it's likely environmental. Check the background for heat sources, try adjusting the height and location. The SS sensors have a highly defined field of view ( on both x and y axis) so simply moving the sensor, up, down, different angle might help. I had one that falsed all the time for reasons I still can't figure out but a 45 degree mount in the corner of the room about 5.5 feet high gives me almost 100% reliability and I have pets. Tats pretty good with anyone's hardware. Hope this helps.

Our motion sensor on the front door is turned upside down because of our 50 pound Australian Shepherd. It shoots over the top of the staircase about 6 feet away but I think the sensor is being set off by our dog walking over the open catwalk above. Is there a diagram or drawing that will show me how the sensor shoots out? The SS rep told me 45 degrees and a distance of 30 feet, but I need a visual. We will test but it would help if we knew how the "beam" works.

Two recommendations:
1. Go to Shop menu at the top of site, then to motion sensor, you will see blue 'Learn' icon, click on it. This will give you your desired information. I tried this before and it was there but before recommending you I was trying but seems some problem with Simplisafe site and it is showing gray small screen. May be Simplisafe guys will fix it later.
2. Little expensive option but will avoid false alarm: Add entry sensor along with motion sensor and when you go out keeping dog in, go out in Home mode where all your entry sensors will be active. Motion sensors donot work in Home mode. I am recommending this because I am sure even if a dumb burgler breaks in home mode where definately motion sensor will not work but seeing your big buddy in front of him, he will freeze in his motions or wet your floor. Finally, either or it helps. Btw, home mode can be activated by a. Keep dog in, b. open door, c. Press home button, d. Close door behind

Hope these help, I am just a customer like you but would like to help, however Simplisafe guys can guide you further, hv safe stay

How do I disconnect certain sensors? Just take them off where they're placed?
ptrsnake13@aol.com
P. De Luca

Set to Home and Away in advanced settings on your computer, this (according to support when I asked) should make the motion sensors you want to be active when you are home. I had asked the same question because I wanted my Motion Sensors to work in the front of the house when we are sleeping in the back. My only question is, why are they called Motion Sensors when what I gather from other posts and responses on the Forum, they actually work by sensing temperature changes? Why not call them Temperature Sensors. Oh, and I just read there is a 2 minute waiting period when testing them. I didn't see that mentioned in the manual.