DIY Project: Monitor an Exterior Gate Easily Through 2GIG and Alarm.com

One entrance that is often disregarded with respect to automation systems and home alarm services is the simple, nigh-ubiquitous fence gate. Sensors common to all-in-one systems like 2GIG are largely designed for in-home use, with few exterior options.  We wanted to come up with a fairly simple method of monitoring an exterior, open air door or gate, and wanted to share the project tutorial with our DIYers.

Check out the video for the full tutorial.

There’s not a lot to this project, the main concern is keeping the wireless sensor housed in a weather-resistant enclosure you can mount directly on the gate.  This is also employing an indoor wireless sensor in an outdoor environment, so temperature is an issue.  To combat that, we are using an RE201 which has a more robust operating temperature range than the comparable 2GIG sensor.

This project is perfect for DIYers who have a gate fairly close (within 30 feet or so) of their home and near the area where the 2GIG Control panel is located to ensure communication viability.  (Optionally, if distance is an issue, one can employ an RE220T to help boost the sensor signal.)

The materials needed:

  • An outdoor enclosure with a weather resistant seal.  In the video we show a 4″ x 4″ x 2″ junction box.  As long as it keeps moisture out and is not metal, it should work.  You can find this at your local hardware store.
  • An RE201 Resolution Products Door/Window Sensor to be the transmitting brains of the project.
  • Some double-sided outdoor tape to affix the RE201 to the inside of the box.
  • A wired sensor to act as the functioning contact. We show a Sentrol 1085W in the video.  I suggest using this or comparable sensor with existing leads.  You do not want exposed terminals on the sensor, and you’ll want the magnetic gap (the distance the sensor/magnet must travel apart in order to trip) to be about an inch and a half.  Given that temperature changes can impact this magnetic gap, with an inch and a half of room, you can mount the magnet roughly 3/4″ away from the sensor and be confident that temperature changes won’t cause a false notification.
  • (Optional) You may also want to use a little Conformal Silicone Coating to ensure moisture does not corrode the wireless RE201 components.

Keys to implementation:

  • Drill a small hole in the face of the enclosure which will act as the bottom when mounted.  This keeps water from entering via the contact wires and allows condensation to drain if necessary.
  • Be sure to not use a metal housing.  This will cause major problems with the sensor RF signal.
  • Strip contact leads so that only the necessary amount of wire is exposed to screw down into the terminals of the RE201.  This will avoid shorting the sensing circuit.
  • suretyDIY does not recommend this project be used as an alarm sensor.  You’ll want to program this as non-reporting and self-monitor through notifications, similar to a tilt sensor on a garage door.
  • Of course be sure to set up the Alarm.com notification once you have the sensor communicating with your 2GIG Go!Control Panel.
  • To make further use of your new sensor, try out our suggestion with one of your Zwave lights to automatically switch on a light when the gate opens.  See the video below.

 

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