Spent $200 on a wireless alarm panel that only worked 50 feet away

I bought a new wireless panel thinking it would save time on running wires for a small office job in Denver. Got it set up but the sensors kept dropping signal if I went past the break room. Anyone else have luck boosting range without swapping out the whole unit?

3 comments

3 Comments

charlie_roberts874d ago

That roof thing is exactly what killed my setup. I had a wireless panel in a warehouse with metal shelving everywhere and it was a nightmare. What finally worked for me was moving the panel itself up high on a wall instead of keeping it down by the desk. Just that few feet of elevation made a huge difference for the signals getting past all the metal beams and racks. Also tried one of those external antenna kits that plug into the panel's expansion port and that gave me another 30 feet or so. Cost me like 40 bucks versus having to rip out the whole system. Might be worth checking if your panel has that option before you give up on it completely.

karenw235d ago

Metal roof between panel and sensors will kill range fast.

charlie_roberts874d ago

Dude thats wild you mention that karenw23 cause my buddy just threw a metal roof on his shed and now his smart lights won't connect half the time from the back yard. He's blaming the wifi but I'm thinking it might be the same issue you're describing. Metal just messes with signals in ways you don't expect till you live with it. Even my car key fob acts weird when I park under a metal carport now.