Ring security systems

[Alan_Hepburn]

We have a Ring doorbell on our house and it works quite adequately. We noticed that they also have a Mailbox Sensor that will alert us when the mailbox is opened, so we figured we'd try it out. So, I'm having a problem getting it to work: we have our internet/wifi router in the back corner of our house, about 30 feet from the front door, where we have a Ring Bridge, and the Ring Doorbell. From the front door to the mailbox is about 200 feet. Part of the setup procedure involves being at the doorbell and using the app, through a wifi connection, to activate the system. The problem being that the wifi signal does not reach the mailbox from about 230 feet away. It's designed to use the Amazon Neighborhood network, but that doesn't exist out here in the sticks so I'm forced to use the Ring Bridge option. Allegedly the Sensor has about 1000 feet range from the Bridge, but it needs a wifi signal to set it up.

I'm wondering if I can temporarily take the mailbox sensor into the house, and set it up there, then move it back to the mailbox? I can't find a "Contact Us" option on the Ring website so I thought I'd ask you fine folke here, who seem to know everything!

 

[ST Guy]

I’d try doing what you suggested. Once the sensor is online, you can move it back to your mailbox.

 

[mercurial]

tbh it's probably never going to work that well unless you bring decent wifi signal to it's close proximity. 230 feet is a LONG way for wifi.

 

[ST Guy]

Didn’t notice the distance. Yes, that is very long for WiFi. You’re also likely going to need to improve your local Wi-Fi. I have two boxes, one near the front of my home and one at the back, that extend my Wi-Fi.

 

[ST Guy]

And I’m sure the mailbox sensor is small and battery powered. It can likely receive a signal from your Wi-Fi, but can’t send far enough.

 

[Climber]

tbh it's probably never going to work that well unless you bring decent wifi signal to it's close proximity. 230 feet is a LONG way for wifi.

It doesn't work on wifi, it only needs wifi to get configured and probably confirm account, then it seems to be RF.

One guy online said that his mailbox was at least 1,000 feet and it worked fine. It was part of Amazon reviews, so it could be false, but I didn't think so.

 

[ST Guy]

RF = radio frequency. That’s what Wi-Fi is.

 

[ichabodnt650]

RF = radio frequency. That’s what Wi-Fi is.

While it is true that the various sensors and controllers communicate via radio frequencies (no physical wire or cable linking them), there are two modes of communications.

One is a simple, low power (to extend battery life), proprietary signaling between a sensor and the main controller. For example, "Sensor battery low" or "Motion detected"

Another is a higher power and more complex communication for programming and configuration purposes. This second method requires the components to be physically close to a router and data is running over the WiFi network.

 

[Climber]

RF = radio frequency. That’s what Wi-Fi is.

Wifi distance is far shorter than some RF devices in most cases, usual ROT that I know of is about 150 feet for wifi.

 

[mercurial]

looking at this from another perspective.. most IoT devices are just a waste of time. A front door camera is ok, a connected intelligent sprinkler system is nice.. everything else is pretty low value-add. For this device, if I couldn't get it to work in about 15 minutes, I'd probably return it.

 

[ST Guy]

I’d simply set it up with the device close to a router, then put in where you want it. If it doesn’t function properly, you need to expand your Wi-Fi or return the device.

 

[ST Guy]

And a big yes on Wi-Fi enabled sprinkler controls. I’ve got a Rachio controller and it’s been great.

 

[ST Guy]

I also have a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat. It’s also great.

 

[bcj]

Pringles can directional antenna on the porch might be adequate.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Thanks everyone - when I get a chance I'm going to try and set it up in the house, then move the sensor out to the mailbox. We thought it would be nice to have - our mail gets delivered anytime between about 10 am and 9 pm and it would be nice to not have to make several trips out to the mailbox each day.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Update: I brought the mailbox sensor into the house and was able to get the setup completed. Then I re-installed it in the mailbox and it works great. But then I found a major flaw with it: it takes 3 AAA batteries and those batteries last about 12 hours before dying! Did some googling and found the Ring users forum: apparently this is a known issue and the mailbox sensor is the ONLY item in their inventory that does NOT have a solar power option. Several users have adapted other solar power supplies so I am going to take that route.

 

[Climber]

Another option could be to adapt a larger external battery that you can wire to it. I'm really surprised that 3 AAA batteries are getting used up so quickly. Are there settings options?

 

[mercurial]

I also have a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat. It’s also great.

Oh yea that's a good one too. Nice to be able to turn off the furnace when you're out already, or adjust it when watching TV. Also, a water mainline disconnect valve makes for really nice peace of mind. I use the Phyn, Moen also makes one. They are expensive and tricky to install, but they can really save your bacon if you have a water leak. Also works well if you have a teenage boy in the house who likes to take long showers

 

[mercurial]

Pringles can directional antenna on the porch might be adequate.

You realize how crazy this is starting to sound, having to aim pringles cans just so you know if your mailbox is open haha

 

[Climber]

I also have a Wi-Fi enabled thermostat. It’s also great.

Yup. It's great to change the cooling/heating settings while driving away (it's often >100 in Fresno in the summer) then go back to usual cooling/heating when an hour away upon return and walk into a house that's comfortable.