Question

SmartThings Cold affects battery life right? So if I’ve got a multi sensor on my storm door that’s been going through batteries monthly all winter then I should expect to see longer life now that it’s warming up right?  

Answer 1

Provably. I've had good luck with a few of them. A weak mesh will also chew batteries so if you don't see an improvement consider adding repeaters. My multi sensors tend to last several months, even in high activity areas.  

Answer 2

If you have smartthings sensors they are all garbage and normally last a month even in the heat . Get ecolink and it will last 2 years

Comments

This is so idiotic as to be laughable

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@preside I cant remember the last time I changed the batteries in my ST Multisensors, but absolutely it’s greater than a year.  

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@algonquin6112 maybe I have 10 broken sensors, go figure. Your sensors are branded smartthings?  

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@preside Yes, ST brand. I’ve had a few other brands but these have been best by far

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@preside perhaps there's another issue causing battery drain. Placement perhaps. not enough repeaters & they're struggling for a signal. or local interference. Or something odd causing continuous reconnecting. do the sensors also drop off the network frequently? Look at your devices history tab and see if it gives any clues what they've been up to. how often they report things. Check the devices out in smarthings IDE too

Answer 3

Cold makes my Iris v2 sensors show low % like 37% but I haven't had to replace them and now that's it's warmed up they are back to showing 62% and 87%

Answer 4

Had the same problem worst off Samsung ones would brake due to all the battery changes. I've now added a 18650 battery holder to some, of my smartthings ( that are out of eye line ) Now I charger them up once a year if that.  

Answer 5

I wired a 2 aa battery pack to it so I can buy aa instead of the button batteries

Answer 6

Use lithium batteries they handle temperatures upto 0F without significant impact to performance unlike alkaline batteries.  

Answer 7

Do you actually check them with a Voltmeter prior to tossing them Away? Have you validated they are going bad monthly? I use them outside in Ohio winters (muti-sensors) and they do report low battery, but they continue to work the entire winter without needing changed. The voltage will drop a bit due to the cold, and cause them to report low battery, but they continue to work well throughout the winter months. I don’t toss them until voltage is under 2. 8v.  

Answer 8

Keep in mind also that now that is warming up, if u start using the door more often, that will affect the life of the batt too

Answer 9

Same device this point is about ended up doing the weirdest shit this week. Reported temperatures up to 600°. No clue why because it was a fairly new battery. Replaced once again and reset it which ended changing the handler it was using for some strange reason and after putting it back it’s miraculously working normal again. Bizarre.  

Answer 10

I have had SmartThings V3 multipurpose sensors on my front and back storm doors since 12 August 2019 original batteries. They are configured as vibration sensors and I use Doorknocker app. I have a traditional alarm system so don't need them as alarm sensors. Have video doorbell but some folks just don't want to press the button and knock mainly solicitors and door knocker alerts me just fine. So in this mode battery life was good in Texas heat and winter.  

Answer 11

I've modded all my door and motion sensors to 2x aaa batteries, working great and one is outside under a window sill