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Author Topic: MS 14 A motion sensor issues  (Read 3533 times)

boaterh

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MS 14 A motion sensor issues
« on: March 13, 2010, 09:46:59 PM »

I have purchased the MS14A motion sensor, the TM751 transceiver, and a SC546A remote chime as a driveway alarm. The x10 web site indicates the MS14A sensor sees motions up to 20 feet away and can be placed up to 100 feet away from the TM751 transceiver. The issues I am having are: The MS14A sensor sees motion up to 100 feet away,  seeing cars on the street as they pass. If I move the sensor to the side of the drive way it will not work when placed more than 15 feet from the TM751 transceiver. I have tried several placements for the transceiver with no good results. Any ideas on how to get the MS14A to work around 50 feet from the transceiver?
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HA Dave

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Re: MS 14 A motion sensor issues
« Reply #1 on: March 13, 2010, 10:16:12 PM »

............ If I move the sensor to the side of the drive way it will not work when placed more than 15 feet from the TM751 transceiver. I have tried several placements for the transceiver with no good results. Any ideas on how to get the MS14A to work around 50 feet from the transceiver?

Likely... it isn't the distance as much as what is between the sensor and the TM751. Things like metal siding or garage doors or metal lathe used with stucco or plaster can block the RF signal from the sensor. Getting the TM751 near a window might help as glass seems to allow RF to pass pretty easily. Don't forget the TM751 can be plugged into an extention cord if that helps.
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boaterh

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Re: MS 14 A motion sensor issues
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2010, 08:52:51 AM »

Thanks, Dave. I originally located  the transceiver in the garage, however, I have tried several locations in the house with the antenna in front of a window. I have tried putting the transceiver back in the garage with the garage door open and in line of sight and it stops working around 15  to 18 feet.
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HA Dave

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Re: MS 14 A motion sensor issues
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2010, 10:51:42 AM »

..... I have tried putting the transceiver back in the garage with the garage door open and in line of sight and it stops working around 15  to 18 feet.

Well there is a passive antenna mod (< link is for a slimswitch but the same idea applies) . You could search here at the forum for the MS14A. It seems to me there is one here that involves gluing a wire or portion of a coathanger to the left side of the sensor. I have never performed this particular modification.

I have experienced (what sounds like) similar traffic false signals from the motion sensors when located at the front (road area) of my house. I finally (after many trials and failures) found the "DriveWay Patrol" which I then mounted in a modified/fake Lawn Light with the sensors BACK towards the traffic. This (image attached) has worked well for me now for a couple years.
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nybuck

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Re: MS 14 A motion sensor issues
« Reply #4 on: March 14, 2010, 01:56:10 PM »

I have also seen posts regarding tilting the motion sensor Down toward the ground, so that it doesn't pick movement up so far away.  My suggestion would be put it over the garage, for example, at about a 60 degree angle downward - If you get the idea...  No longer facing the street...
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