I am setting up my new Qolsys IQPanel 4 with door and window sensors. Can I use the Mini-S sensor on a metal door and metal frame? Is it necessary to separate the sensor and the magnet from the frame and door? If so, what should I use for that? I read that it may be necessary to use a wired door sensor but I don’t understand how to get a wired sensor to work with a wireless panel.
Not a support person, but can kind of answer your question. I haven’t used the Mini-S sensor as I have the 433mhz daughter module not the 319.5mhz one (I assume you have the 319.5mhz daughter panel as it seems the Mini-S is not PowerG) but if you can connect it I don’t see any reason it would not work; I know there are generally different gap tolerances/etc for contact sensors using magnets when on metal surfaces but they still generally work.
You can definitely use normal sensors on metal doors however in my experience. I have an outdoor wireless open/close sensor on a metal gate and use a wireless sensor on a solid steel door and frame.
As for how to used a wired sensor there are 2 ways: Some sensors (like the PG9935 which is a combination shock and open/close sensor) have auxiliary contacts where you can connect a wired sensor to them and the wireless sensor then is the transmit source for the sensor or you can use a takeover module where you connect all the wired sensors to the module like you would if it was an actual wired panel and the module broadcasts all the sensors to the IQ Panel 4.
1 Like
Metal doors are a common source of signal issues, but it is not guaranteed that you will run into trouble. It depends on the door, the range, and the sensor model.
Smaller sensors like the IQ S-Line mini will be more susceptible to issues than a large sensor with thicker case and larger antenna.
You can definitely use normal sensors on metal doors however in my experience. I have an outdoor wireless open/close sensor on a metal gate and use a wireless sensor on a solid steel door and frame.
Outdoor models are larger, more robust, usually with bigger antenna that sit farther off the mounted surface. Their design naturally overcomes some issues with the mounted surface. This won’t be the same across all sensors. Low profile and extra small sensors will usually experience more issues.
Is it necessary to separate the sensor and the magnet from the frame and door? If so, what should I use for that?
At times an extra strip or two of double sided tape is all that is needed to improve the signal, sometimes a spacer may be needed, or you may need to swap the location of the sensor and the magnet.
I read that it may be necessary to use a wired door sensor but I don’t understand how to get a wired sensor to work with a wireless panel.
This would use a wireless sensor mounted nearby as a transmitter, one that has a wired input. An example is the IQ S-Line Extended sensor. That one has an input for wired sensors so it can act as a transmitter for a wired door sensor.
The wired sensor is mounted to the frame, magnet on the door, the sensor is wired to the transmitter. That transmitter sensor can then be mounted a bit away from the trouble surface to ensure wireless signal.
1 Like
Can you recommend a wired sensor for this? I’m hesitant to buy a cheap one from Amazon. Do I want a Normally Open or Normally Closed sensor? Does the IQ S-Line Extended sensor have 2-wire or 3-wire input? What wire gauge should I use? Thanks for your help!
You would need a standard normally closed door sensor. Here is an example of a Honeywell model you could use.
The IQ Extended Door/Window has a 2 terminal input. 22AWG wire is commonly used.