Motion sensor for a mailbox automation

Configuration Zigbee
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1

Here is an unusual problem I have encountered, hope someone can help me with suggestions how to move on! I have sent up an automation in HA to monitor deposits in my mailbox. In the physical mailbox I have a Zigbee motion sensor which triggers the automation. My mailbox is located about 10 meters from my house but on the opposite side of the road. When the postman arrives in his van and deposits the mail the van seems to provide a solid metall wall that effectively blocks the transmission from the motion sensor to my Zigbee router. Sound unlikely? I can only agree, but the sensor works fine on tests but as soon as the mailvan is in place between my house and the mailbox t doesn’t.

Is it possible to delay the transmission from the motion sensor, after a couple of minutes the mailvan would be gone and the signal would be received by my Zigbee router.

Looking for suggestions, and would consider other sensors etc. Unfortunately it is not possible to hard-wire anything between the mailbox and my home.

2

Any kind of delay would require a change to the device firmware… and, to my knowledge, homebrewing Zigbee firmware is still pretty niche.

That seems reasonable to me, especially if the sensor has limited access to routers on the mesh.

Are there any locations in your house that have line of sight even when the truck is there? Installing additional routers in those areas might help.

Is it the same van or driver every day? Maybe you could plant a BLE beacon on the roof of the van… or surreptitiously install BLE tire pressure caps… or track the driver’s phone. :upside_down_face:

3

I have a similar challenge with distance and changed to a RF433 which has a much longer range. Yes…you need a receiver for that too so if you donot have that it is not a cheap solution