Hi. I’m new to this Community but have been doing some research and have decided to use SmartThings as my hub. My home’s roof line is rimmed with security LED flood lights at five separate locations providing good coverage front to back, side to side including the driveway though I think too high up to use motion sensing fixtures effectively. All these lights are on one switch. Can I install outdoor-rated sensors (two or more) that will communicate with that one switch? I am ok with all the floods coming on no matter which sensor is tripped. Also, I am assuming that SmartThings would allow me to take remote control over that switch and at least allow manual on/off switching if not also allowing me to create a timer. Thanks for whatever solution/product options u suggest.
Welcome! 
(I’ve moved this to projects so you can get individualized responses based on your particular set up.)
Timer and manual control are easy-- it’s the outdoor motion sensor part that’s difficult. There are a number of sensors that are rated for outdoor use, like the Aeon multisensor, but that tell you specifically to turn off the motion sensor part and only use them for humidity and temperature sensing, as the outdoor environment tends to create a lot of false alarms. 
You can read a lot more about using motion sensors outdoors and how people approach that in the FAQ (this is a clickable link)
I’m sure there will be other community members who can help discuss the various wiring and lighting aspects.
Thanks much Mr Roberts. I am determined for a solution and will review the FAQ u sent. Some of my research led me to Insteon but I don’t think it’s compatible with ST.
Also take a look at this topic. While its not available yet, they did tell me to check in March as to ST integration. I’m waiting to hear from them before I finalize motion detection and camera setup.
https://community.smartthings.com/t/mr-beams-wireless-lighting-and-smartthings/20370
For now I’ve installed Aeon Multi-Sensors and haven’t had the issues reported above, it works very reliable on a lower setting (4 I think). It is a bit slow, but I assume any battery operated device would be. It struggles with accurate temperature if it gets below 25F or so, but thats of no concern to me. I also have one blink camera, its about the same speed when it comes to detecting motion. Either trip I turn on all outside lights, good enough until a better solution arrives, and I’m hoping the Mr. Beams will be part of it.
Though not rated for outdoors, my $34 Ecolink Z-Wave PIR Motion Detector has worked perfect for 2 years in Nebraska weather. It’s installed about 1 foot below a soffit so it is only somewhat protected & the battery is still at 80%. It will turn on my backyard flood light via a smart switch. I figured for 30 some bucks, give it a try.
I have the Aeon multisensor istalled outside with USB power. It worked without any issues down to 16 deg F. But it is protected from weather.
The issues with outdoor sensors are:
- In low temp, battery capacity decreases.
- Sensor has to be functioning at lower temps.
- They’re all plastic so mounting them under protective cover (under eave) is recommended, so to avoid rain and snow accumulation on them.
- Most have motion detect range of max 20-25 ft.
- In hot climates, not recommended in direct sunlight.
Look at each sensor specs and pick the one you like.
Examples: Aeon multisensor Operation Temperature (Top): -4°F (-20°C) ~ 104°F (40°C)
Ecolink Operating Temperature: 32° - 120°F (0° - 49°C)
Philio 3-in-1 Operating Temperature: 14-104°F (-10°C to 40°C)
Zooz minisensor Operating Temperature: 32° - 104°F (0°- 40°C)
Dome motion Operating Temperature: 32° - 104°F (0°- 40°C)
Thanks NomadTech, There appears to be some holes in the technology around weather-sealed outdoor sensors. I am collecting a lot of information from forum members such as yourself and will need to press on to achieve what seemed relatively simple outcome to me, but is turning out to be a bit more complicated, which is OK. I don’t mind the challenge.
I’ll chime in on something I have NOT implemented, but in theory should work just fine.
- Install a proper stand-alone outdoor motion sensor; there are several sold on the market.
- Instead of hooking the “motion out triggers” to a light, hook them up to a Z-WAVE relay as INPUT
- Hook the OUTPUT of the relay up to a [light[ switch, or just activate (switch on) via Z-WAVE command
— Bottom line is the relay is what ST uses to trigger the lights
— Benefit is a weather proof motion device, and also one that is not so prone to false alarms; the outdoor motion sensors have been thoroughly tested for this.
Something like this? Outdoor floodlight motion sensor mod.
Yes, it looks like great minds think alike!
Subtle differences to that thread & what I would do with your specs in mind…
You already have all the lights installed and on a single switch.
Replace that switch with a ZWave one.
Buy a stand-alone motion detector & hard wire it in to the mains, and the motion trigger wires to a Zwave relay’s INPUT. When the motion detector trips the relay, you can use Core to flip the Zwave switch.
There are multiple different technologies available for motion detection. For various reasons, the most typical being low power requirements, most of the Z wave and zigbee sensors are PIR motion detectors, where PIR stands for “passive infrared.” The sensors don’t actually detect motion at all – – they can detect very small changes in temperature as it moves across the detection field of the sensor.
The reason why some of the multi sensors, such as the Aeotec multisensor, tell customers to disable the motion sensing feature if the sensor is used outdoors is because of the problem of “microclimate” meaning very small changes of temperature, usually caused by either direct sunlight or gusts of wind which can trigger false alarms as the temperature changes across the sensor field. A gust of warm wind, or a cloud passing across the sun, may create enough of the temperature differential that it will be perceived the same as a person walking past. And the motion sensor placed near a window may get heat reflections from the glass which can also trigger false alarms.
These variations, which depend on local architecture, are why some people will report having no problems while other people will report having many, or why some people only have false alarm problems at certain times of year.
One very popular solution to this is to use multiple PIR motion sensors in a zone, and accept the alert only if more than one of them detects the motion. Mike Maxwell has written a smart app which is very helpful for this. But then this does require more than one device.
So when you look at sheltered locations, you want to think about not just shelter from the rain and direct sunlight, but also where the wind breaks might be. And try to stay away from windows.
As far as wiring in a conventional motion sensor, which may be using a different technical method, that’s discussed in detail in the outdoor motion sensor FAQ. It’s definitely a method that can work well.
A number of people also just rely on integration with security camera motion sensors, which often use a different technology, or a dual technology, not just PIR.
For me, I want the lights to be triggered when, for instance, my car pulls
into the driveway. That car will not likely trip any other zones, virtual
or otherwise, so, the zoned solution may not be effective for me. Thanks.JDRoberts https://community.smartthings.com/users/jdroberts
Helpful
February 14
There are multiple different technologies available for motion detection.
For various reasons, the most typical being low power requirements, most of
the Z wave and zigbee sensors are PIR motion detectors, where PIR stands
for “passive infrared.” The sensors don’t actually detect motion at all – –
they can detect very small changes in temperature as it moves across the
detection field of the sensor.The reason why some of the multi sensors, such as the Aeotec multisensor,
tell customers to disable the motion sensing feature if the sensor is used
outdoors is because of the problem of “microclimate” meaning very small
changes of temperature, usually caused by either direct sunlight or gusts
of wind which can trigger false alarms as the temperature changes across
the sensor field. A gust of warm wind, or a cloud passing across the sun,
may create enough of the temperature differential that it will be perceived
the same as a person walking past. And the motion sensor placed near a
window may get heat reflections from the glass which can also trigger false
alarms.These variations, which depend on local architecture, are why some people
will report having no problems while other people will report having many,
or why some people only have false alarm problems at certain times of year.One very popular solution to this is to use multiple PIR motion sensors in
a zone, and accept the alert only if more than one of them detects the
motion. Mike Maxwell has written a smart app which is very helpful for
this. But then this does require more than one device.Smart Zone motion detector (Zone Motion Manager) 2.1.0 release
https://community.smartthings.com/t/smart-zone-motion-detector-zone-motion-manager-2-1-0-release/24188?source_topic_id=77706 Community
Created SmartApps
https://community.smartthings.com/c/projects-stories/created-smart-appsI built this to solve a number of motion related issues. --Reduction of
false motion events in exterior applications (False Motion Reduction)
–Represent a group of detectors with a single virtual detector (Motion
Aggregation) --Enable a Motion Aggregation zone from various devices,
switches, contacts ect (Triggered Activation)This is a parent/child application (like Smart Lighting) where the motion
zones are created and edited from the parent application. When a new
virtual zone is created, a virtual motion sensor is created for that zone.
This virtual motion detector represents the states of the physical motion
detectors that you configured for that zone. You can then use that virtual
zone device in any applications that accept motion devices.[image]
https://community.smartthings.com/uploads/short-url/qM8yhRaHoBEhmt6eILmWAk4u5xE.png[image]
https://community.smartthings.com/uploads/short-url/k6LfEUWdLz9QOrHpWztFou334Dw.png[image]
https://community.smartthings.com/uploads/short-url/f89RwREz2mUrtYlvYWdDLaI46Li.pngThree co…
So when you look at sheltered locations, you want to think about not just
shelter from the rain and direct sunlight, but also where the wind breaks
might be. And try to stay away from windows. [image:As far as wiring in a conventional motion sensor, which may be using a
different technical method, that’s discussed in detail in the outdoor
motion sensor FAQ. It’s definitely a method that can work well.FAQ: Do you know of an outdoor motion sensor?
https://community.smartthings.com/t/faq-do-you-know-of-an-outdoor-motion-sensor/1513?source_topic_id=77706
FAQ https://community.smartthings.com/c/devices-integrations/faqI am looking for outdoor motion sensors to monitor my yard.
I bought a pair of the Aeon Labs Aeotec Z-Wave Multi-Sensor and am quite
unhappy with them. Even on the lowest sensitivity setting it randomly sends
alerts, some perhaps due to clouds changing the lighting (even though PIR
is not supposed to be susceptible to this) and others I can’t explain at
all. With several false alerts a day this thing is just useless. The
Smartthings Motion sensor works great, I have some in my house, but it is
indoor rated only. The Schlage / Nexia motion sensor is also indoor use
only.I am hoping someone has come across an outdoor rated motion sensor they
have been able to pair with the Smartthings hub.A number of people also just rely on integration with security camera
motion sensors, which often use a different technology, or a dual
technology, not just PIR.–
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In Reply To
marquis_Frank https://community.smartthings.com/users/marquis_frank
MFrank https://community.smartthings.com/users/marquis_frank
February 14
Thanks NomadTech, There appears to be some holes in the technology around
weather-sealed outdoor sensors. I am collecting a lot of information from
forum members such as yourself and will need to press on to achieve what
seemed relatively simple outcome to me, but is turning out to be a bit more
c…–
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