OUTDOOR OPEN/CLOSED SENSOR
Situation: I have an entry gate to my patio, which we would like to leave unlocked. I would LOVE to have a smartthings open/closed switch that could be fitted to the gate to just let me know if the gate has been opened or closed. That way I’ll know if the FedEx guy has left an Amazon package inside, or that someone has come into my patio.
The normal smartthings open/ closed multi sensor works for this – however, I live near the coast and we get dew like heavy rain in fall/ spring mornings. As a test I put an old smartthings multisensor on the gate – worked really well. However, it lasted 3-4 months before dying. Pulling the box apart showed that water had gotten inside and destroyed the circuitry (visible rust & corrosion). I tried it again with a current generation multisensor – again it worked great, but failed in less than 60 days. And that was after wrapping in plastic and duct tape in an attempt to water proof it.
So… what is needed it either an enclosure for outdoor use to waterproof the sensor, or an outdoor design with appropriate design features to increase the suitability of the sensor for outdoor use.