Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsGreat wifi sensor for the price - a couple hacks needed for optimal use with sump pumps.
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018
I bought this as it was priced right, had mostly good reviews - and wifi feature allows me to be alerted anywhere, big enhancement to my non-wifi alarm which requires someone actually be home to hear it.
PROS:
- Generally easy to set up, including wifi (less a small nit-pick, see below under Suggestions).
- It has WORKED as was described so far - including all important wifi alerts
- Wifi range seems decent so far, but read others have had issues. Really need to test range before relying on it to work properly.
- Audible alert is nice and loud, generally heard on main floor even if in basement
- Battery power vs. plug is more someone's preference, but for wifi alerts to work - you should ensure your wifi router is plugged into a UPS in case of a power outage.
- For use under sink, on floor near water heater, washer, etc. - it is just fine as designed. Just make sure to place unit where water will puddle - and that unit is placed on its back side, or side with sensors.
- Competitive price
SUGGESTIONS:
- For the alerts, email may not real-time enough and I much prefer a text-like alert to my phone. SUGGESTED HACK: As one of the 5 email addresses you can set up for alerts, include 1 or more cell phone number email addresses. Each carrier is a bit different but for AT&T it is number@txt.att.net. Others can be found easily with a web search. Using this will alert you almost immediately- 'pushes' to your phone with immediacy of a text, and won't rely on you having to check email. Time can be of the essence if a sump pump fails during wet seasons.
- My single biggest issue - NO DETACHABLE SENSOR like my non-wifi Basement Watchdog Water Sensors. As most people with sump pumps may know - if you are alerted when water hits the floor, you are too late - pipes are full, damage may have begun. I have always dangled the detachable sensor into the sump hole - at a level just above the pump's float, which means that minutes after a pump fails, or power outage occurs, it alarms, you are alerted. This typically gives me ample time to get to pump and fix issues BEFORE water backs into the basement.
SUGGESTED HACK: Dangling the whole unit in the hole can work but that too can create 2 issues. First, wifi signal in a basement may already be spotty. Having the unit in a hole in the basement can exacerbate that issue. Next, if the whole unit is submerged, I am not convinced the innards are waterproof. As an alternative I suggest creating your own detachable sensor with wire. This can also help address a wifi range issue as you can place unit closer to router - with other end of wire in the sump hole. Attaching wire is a bit challenging (need to delicately adjust sensors with needle nose pliers or screwdriver to attach and wrap wire). The better approach is really to solder, mindful that the 2 sensor leads are very close so small gauge solder and fine tips on the iron may be needed. In addition, the cover may not go back on over a wire, so I chose to file small, matching half-moon areas out of the top of the unit, and cover so they would close tightly. And, to prevent yanking the wire off the leads, I tied a small knot on the inside.
A couple pics here as well - definitely a hack, but this makes the unit a perfect fit to provide that for early warning alert, critical for a sump Pump application.
Hope this helps, I am anxious to hear any other (probably better) ideas.
