Hi everybody!
I am Andrea and I write from Italy.
My setup is a RPi 3B+ with a Conbee II usb stick and several zigbee sensors (AQARA) for door and vibrations.
I configured them without particular issues, but since the first days I had a strange problem: randomly, the sensor which is more far from the usb gateway becomes not available. Because I thought about an interference with wifi network, I made several tentatives changing WIFI channels and zigbee ones, and deactivating 5Ghz network too. Lastly I changed the sensor thinking about a possible damage.
Since few days another sensor started to be “not available”, but I think that I am facing to a different problem from a simple interference, because I added a range extender by Ikea without any improvement of the situation.
Can you help me? What do I need to post to help you understand better my problem?
Another question: do you now any ZIGBEE sensor for outdoor? I wish to “protect” some external parts of my house.
First thing that pops my mind is to suggest you use a usb extension lead, so the conbee has some distance from your RP3.
This will reduce the interference
Oh sorry, I forget to say it: I did this trick buying a 1meter usb extension cable of high quality and I tried to move the RPI far from the router without any improvement.
Is it possible if my house is not so big? For example the last sensor “not available” is 6 meters far from the conbee…About the other sensor (which is outside), it may be possible because there is some “metal” between this sensor and the conbee.
Regarding you zigbee connection poblem. There are noumerous threads increasing the zigbee mesh strength, main conclusions are as mention already. Use a long USB extender cable, ensure you wifi are on seperate bands and have a number of “repeaters” to ensure good mesh strength. The repeaters do not need to be actual “repeaters”, all kind of “mains” will work, like plugs or bulbs.
Regarding outdoor door sensor, I have not found any good once. I have taken a different road which have been working well for the most of a year, outside in rain/frost/snow.
I use a cheap door sensor from Aqara. I set it up on location and pair it. Afterwards I use glue arround the opening in the case, to avoid water to enter. I put the “reset” hole looking down, hence I can still reset it.
Drawback is that I can not open and change the battery (at least not easily). It have been in place for 11 month now, and still reports 63% battery. My plan is to just setup a new one when battery is empty.
