Aside from a few problems I was having with the ecolinks, this was the main reason I switches to the Lowes sensor.
a door lock sensor. This is my very last one:
Lock sensor, that is genius. You might be able to pull that sensor out of the case. Drill a bit inside of the door from within the hole the lock is in and stuff it down there.
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Thanks! I do like the flexibility these devices offer for things like this, leak sensors, etc. I will soon be replacing that with an August lock (in less than an hour), so I didn’t want to make any permanent changes to the door; although if I were to keep it there, it’s a great idea to hide it.
To recap and provide additional details.
I bought two ecolink sensors. Both, initially were troublesome. I eventually got both of them removed from the network. Went through the process and re-added one at the front door. It appears to be working fine, from what I can tell. I was able to set some automation. Bascially, I get an alert message on my phone that the door was opened. I also set an alert with amazon alexa, she announces a custom message, stating the front door is open.
The 2nd sensor has been nothing but problems. I was eventually able to unpair it. Tried pairing several times, no luck. I eventually took the battery out overnight then next morning, using samsung classic app, it has the option to force remove, using that, I got it unpaired. Since then, I replaced the battery with a fresh one, and tried pairing again. With the replacement of the battery, I was able to ‘find’ the sensor during the pairing process, however, the light on the sensor stays on. I am unable to any control with that sensor. opening closing the door does not change status. Eventually, I contacted ecolink tech support, they are going to rma and send another unit.
I was hopeful the change of batter would have done the trick because as soon as I changed it and then searched for a new device, it popped up. Unfortunately, the install was a no go. BTW, when trying to pair, I removed it from the install site (patio door) and brought it within 2ft of the hub. That made no difference. I also tried repairing the zwave network. that didn’t help either.
Below is a paste of a good working sensor.
Ecolink Door/Window Sensor Device Ecolink-FrontDoor
Name Ecolink Door/Window Sensor
Label Ecolink-FrontDoor
Type Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor
Version Published
Device Network Id 03
Status ONLINE
Hub Home Hub
Last Activity At 2018-10-16 9:30 AM PDT
Date Created 2018-10-09 6:23 PM PDT
Last Updated 2018-10-15 9:26 PM PDT
Data
MSR: 014A-0004-0002
Raw Description zw:S type:0701 mfr:014A prod:0004 model:0002 ver:10.01 zwv:4.05 lib:06 cc:5E,86,72,73,80,71,85,59,84,30,70 ccOut:20 role:06 ff:8C07 ui:8C00
Current States
battery: 100 %
contact: closed
checkInterval: 28920
Execution Location Local
Events List Events
In Use By
Amazon Alexa
Below is a paste of the not functioning sensor, which at the moment is offline because I took out the battery.
Ecolink Door/Window Sensor Device
Name Ecolink Door/Window Sensor
Label
Type Z-Wave Door/Window Sensor
Version Published
Device Network Id 05
Status OFFLINE
Hub Home Hub
Last Activity At 2018-10-15 9:51 PM PDT
Date Created 2018-10-15 9:46 PM PDT
Last Updated 2018-10-15 9:46 PM PDT
Data
MSR: 014A-0004-0002
Raw Description zw:S type:0701 mfr:014A prod:0004 model:0002 ver:10.01 zwv:4.05 lib:06 cc:5E,86,72,73,80,71,85,59,84,30,70 ccOut:20 role:06 ff:8C07 ui:8C00
Current States
battery: 99 %
contact: open
checkInterval: 28920
Execution Location Local
Events List Events
In Use By
@whoismoses - I wonder if there was a bad batch. Glad to know many ecolink sensors have been deployed that are trouble free. To be honest, based on my experience, i’ll most likely not buy this brand and try the iris ones from lowes. Others that have posted here speak highly of them.
thank you
Try this, the sensor which is working “fine”, move the sensor which is troublesome to the location of the working sensor and then try to make it work. If that works then my best guess is that you may have a rogue repeater in your mesh or issues with mesh coverage.
that is easy enough to try. will certainly give that a shot.
Being new user of smartthings/zwave network, I only have just the two sensors in my zwave plus system so far, both of which are ecolink. Hopefully, soon, I’ll also get the replacement sensor from ecolink. This way, I’ll have a new unit to try as well. I get the feeling this is just a bad sensor I am dealing with. will report back once I have done some more experimenting.
thank you for all your feedback and comments.
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you will need some wired ie switches zwave or zwave plus in your mesh to rerpeat… just having tow battery operated which are not sufficient for a good network
I think you’re another victim of the latest firmware update. All of my contact sensors are Ecolink, and they’ve been solid as a rock for two years… Until around 10/9 when that firmware was released.
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Could be a bad batch. I had an order come from Amazon with 12 sensors once that had some lotion spilled on it. They all smelled nice, but performance stayed the same. lol
As for the Iris sensors. I also have about 30-40 of those. Rock solid, however they need batteries about ever 9-11 months, my ecolink devices almost never do. I have a lot going on 2 years without a battery change. I test my sensors manually (on windows) every couple weeks since they don’t get used often to verify they work.
In catching up with comments, some great feedback, going to try out all the suggestions.
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I do have an AC zwave plug, will install that in the mix so I’ll have two door sensors and 1 ac plug. Will see the outcome of the sensor in question.
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I will install the ‘defective’ sensor on the same door with the ‘functional’ sensor. Result should be interesting.
Not comforting to read that after the latest firmware, @CamSoper, your devices are now troublesome. Just wondering, are your door sensors no longer working consistently?
I’ve several sensors behaving badly now. What happens is when the door opens, the LED comes on (indicating that it’s sending the event to the hub) but the LED stays on longer than it should - like, on the order of seconds, so that when the door is closed it’s not able to send the “closed” event. I’ve got this happening on multiple sensors now as of last week. Just replaced batteries today, no change. Tried excluding/re-including, no change. I have to assume it’s SmartThings, because why else would multiple sensors start behaving the same way?
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I got a brand new sensor delivered today from ecolink, what an excellent customer service.
Will plan to set it up tomorrow and provide details, wish me luck 
My two have been doing fine for about a year, except they have always reported 100% battery. Has me wondering now…I also have Iris and one of those can seem to know if its Opened or Closed sometimes.
Hello All,
This is just a follow up to close out this thread. The replacement sensor from ecolink was installed a few days back, been working with no issues.
As a sidebar, a few days ago, I also picked up 5 iris contact sensors on sale from lowes for $10/each (reg. $25) and installed them on windows. It is my understanding iris sensors work on zigbee protocol, compatible with my smartthings v2.0 hub. No issues with them so far.
thank you all for the insightful feedback.
Cheers
2 Likes
No kidding!? I’ve had mine for 3+ years too with on problems. All winter I get a Shut the Front Door announcement… Wife’s been beating me up.