Sensor to Check if mail is in the mailbox

Hardware
21

I would delete the integration and reinstall it then. It may just be an authentication error.

22

OK, I have deleted and re-added the integration. I will see how it goes.
thanks

23

I use a YoLink LoRa hub for this, with LoRa open/close sensors. When I see an open and a close, I know that the mailman visited.

LoRa protocol has a 1/4 mile range. The sensors are designed for outside use.

Hub: Amazon.com
Sensor: Amazon.com

In my last home I used a zigbee contact sensor but it ate up batteries trying to hold signal.

1 Like
24

We have just published our take on a very low power consumption esphome compatible (mailbox) sensor with 2 inputs.

Check ET-SW01 - A very low consumption mailbox sensor - espthings.io

I am using it myself in my mailbox which has a lid and a door and use it to flag new mail and to turn off the flag when the doos has been opened (and the mailbox is emptied).

25

I cant find this board anywhere?

Is there a newer revision or something?

Looking for something similar 4G ESP32 low power consumption.

Thanks

27

I have experimented with several kinds of mailbox projects :mailbox_with_mail:.
The principal challenges include power consumption, signal attenuation, and withstanding external elements.
The best solution Iā€™ve found is the LPWAN protocol LoRaWAN, which combines long range and low power consumption.
You can now use either the Helium Network or the TTN Network, both of which are widely deployed. Iā€™m pretty sure thereā€™s a gateway near you.
Iā€™ve described my projects here if you want to dive deeper into this technical solution completly integrated with Home Assitant : LoRaWAN Mailbox

28

Iā€™ve got this setup and it works pretty well except my one issue - anyone have any ideas?

29

I was ready to go for the Hue indoor motion sensor for my mailbox mail detection, but then I saw that Hue has an Outdoor Motion Sensor that claims to have longer range and wider temp range. Should I go for the Indoor or Outdoor sensor (Iā€™m in Michigan), but didnā€™t know if the sensing was any different ?

30

camera
camera2000Ɨ1125 211 KB

Looks like someone managed to get a camera in the mailbox.

31

Really wish I had a mailbox setup like what most folks haveā€¦ I am stuck with a mailbox that is built into a roadside wall with the only open and close access is on the back with a padlockā€¦ still trying to think of a way to make a sensor for it.

32

This thread wonā€™t die! Thanks for the reminder that Iā€™m always thinking about doing this (see my post from July 2021.)

I found what looks like a good option on Amazon. Itā€™s a Zigbee garage door tilt sensor. It claims to work with HA and two reviews confirm this. Iā€™m ordering it and will try to remember to post back here when Iā€™ve had a chance to try it out.

Edit: My tilt sensor came. It seems like a pretty good device. Works great with ZHA. Only problem is itā€™s not only not weatherproof, but there are vent holes in the top of the case. So if I mounted it inside the door of the mailbox, and the door wasnā€™t closed tight, it could rain right into it. Since itā€™s a tilt sensor, there is only one option for mounting which side is ā€œup.ā€

I stuck it on my garage door, now Iā€™ll know when I forget to close it. And back to the drawing board for the mailbox.

1 Like