Xiaomi/Aqara Water sensor

Devices & Integrations
23

I had issues where the device was not getting recognized at all. Here is what I had to do for it to work (putting it in beginner words, as I am a beginner):

  1. Look at this thread: Xiaomi Zigbee Outlet (Steps to Pair any Xiaomi Zigbee device!) for instructions on how to pair Xiaomi devices in general. Keep this information in mind as you are looking for "catchall: " (without quotes) to show up in IDE (http://ide.smartthings.com).

Or look for this entry:

debug non-TV event zbjoin: {"dni":"**XXXX**","d":"YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY","capabilities":"80","endpoints":[{"simple":".....................manufacturer":"LUMI","model":"lumi.sensor_wleak.aq1"}],"parent":"FFFF","joinType":255}

You need the value of “XXXX”, so note it down (for lumi.sensor_wleak sensor).

  1. Put the hub in pairing mode. These devices do not show up so easily when you put the hub in pairing mode, to say the least, and even if you are trying to locate them in Live Logging (a. go to IDE, b. select your location & hub, c. go to Live Logging page).

NOTE: People have recommended to use List Events on the HUB (a. go to IDE, b. select your hub, c. go to List Events page) for easily looking for this information. Note not all catchall: can help you identify the device. Some catchall: is related to device metadata and battery information for existing devices. You are looking for catchall: with the device signature like so:

image

image

in it. So be careful with false positives!

  1. Follow the reset & pair process:

    RESET: 
a. Hold the sensor down for some time till the light flashes and then turns off (takes around 1 minute or so). 
b. To complete reset, you need to hold it down again and then wait for the light flash to turn off. Reset completes at this step.

PAIR:
a. Put it in pairing mode, by pressing it for 4-5 seconds till it starts flashing: these are slow flashes 0.5 seconds apart. Then let go the button and you should see a couple of quick flashes and then device goes blank and then after 1-2 seconds flashes again one time. 
b. This is when it pairs and you should see a the "catchall: " show up followed by a zbjoin.

  2. Add the device from IDE using steps mentioned in Step 1. Change the device type to “SmartSense Moisture Sensor” (or you can use the custom DH and select Xiaomi Aqara Water Sensor) from the list.

  3. IMPORTANT: Go back to Smarthings app and “Add a thing” and Pairing should now complete.

  4. You now need to establish the link between the sensor and the device by dunking the sensor in a bowl of water filled shallow, just enough to produce the water leak effect!

ENJOY!

Also, I have created a custom device handler for this thing: to get battery status etc: https://github.com/MaverickASC/MaverickASC/tree/master/Aquara

This is a Beta version so you may have to check back for updates / fixes.

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