Question
Our system seems to be intermittent when it rains, is there a way to tell if there is somethin else going on or if this is a low battery issue? Thanks
Asked by Brady O.
Answer
Hi Brady, Regarding the battery notice, your system actually has a built-in alert. If the melody set to the receiver double-plays, that means the battery is low. For example, if the receiver is set to play "ding-dong," it will double-play that if the battery is low on the corresponding sensor. Note: there is a melody that naturally plays ding-dong twice, so make sure you know what melody you have assigned to the zone. Beyond the built-in alert, here is how you can tell if the intermittent rain behavior is due to the battery, the weather, or the hardware, along with a few physical checks to perform: The "Silent" Battery Drain: A 9V alkaline battery that drops to 7.5 volts will still power the board and blink the LED, but it deprives the amplifier of the headroom needed to process weaker, distant signals. This mimics an intermittent connection or range drop. Testing with a brand-new 9V alkaline battery is the definitive way to rule this out. Loss of Thermal Contrast: The sensor doesn't measure physical distance; it measures the temperature difference between a moving target and the background. Heavy rain cools down vehicles, people, and the background environment to similar temperatures, drastically reducing this thermal contrast and temporarily shrinking the sensor's effective range. Physical Obstructions: Double-check that nothing is obstructing the sensor detection window. Heavy rain, mud, or wet leaves sticking to the white lens can block the sensor's view and prevent it from seeing crossing targets. Moisture Ingress: Ensure that no moisture is getting inside the unit itself. Check that the case is securely closed and the internal components remain dry, as water getting inside the casing can cause temporary shorts and intermittent behavior. Optimizing Your Setup: To give your sensor the best chance of picking up targets in poor weather, ensure it is positioned so traffic moves across the sensor's beams rather than straight toward it. I recommend starting with a fresh battery and a quick physical inspection of the unit and lens. Please let us know if you still experience issues after the swap!












