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[dann641]

First of all I'm using the following system:
ActivehomePro with the CM15A and various modules installed.
I placed two MS-14A EagleEye sensors outside two different doors to detect motion. They are programmed to activate two SC546A chimes. I was careful to position them properly as had been noted in previous notes.

Challenge: I've searched everywhere and found some comment on this forum back in 2007 about the sensing problems with these sensors. They have a problem during the daytime with wind, false sensing and at night anytime a vehicle goes by even at 200 yeards with it's lights toward the sensors.
Question: Has anyone any suggestions on how to use anything to keep these problems from happening?

Thanks for your help........Dan

[dave w]

The xxxEyes are most sensitive to light down in the infrared spectrum, so my most frequent falsing comes from rapidly changing patterns of sunlight on the MS window. i.e bright day and a moving cloud causes fairly quick changes of light on the sensor window. I have not identified wind as a problem unless it is blowing trees and leaves that cause the same changes in lighting in the sensor window. A slight down tilt, or a small plastic visor on the top of the MS can help. But mine never falsed enough to make me go to the effort of constructing.

I question the "200 yards with lights towards the sensor". My front yard MS can indirectly see a car headlights on street in front of house but does not trigger. 

Mileage may vary, but positioning is the most effective way controlling causal falsing.

[dann641]

Thanks Dave for the input. Yes I did suspect the changes in the light as a problem. Everything seems to work normal at night, the sensor detects properly and gives no false alarms. What precipitated the comment about the auto lights was when the schoolbus turns in the cul-de-sac, the strobe light triggers the MS from quite a distance, early in the morning. I've also noticed sometimes if a vehicle's headlight hits just right as it turns in the cul-de-sac, the MS will trigger.

I may try some sort of blinders for awhile and see if that helps. I'm also wondering if the ActiveEye sensor is any better?

Thanks again....... 

[dave w]

Thanks Dave for the input. Yes I did suspect the changes in the light as a problem. Everything seems to work normal at night, the sensor detects properly and gives no false alarms. What precipitated the comment about the auto lights was when the schoolbus turns in the cul-de-sac, the strobe light triggers the MS from quite a distance, early in the morning. I've also noticed sometimes if a vehicle's headlight hits just right as it turns in the cul-de-sac, the MS will trigger.

I may try some sort of blinders for awhile and see if that helps. I'm also wondering if the ActiveEye sensor is any better?

Thanks again....... 

That's interesting, especially about the strobe which should contain very little IR. Just for giggles you might try a red filter (red cellophane, red gel, etc.) over the front of the MS. That should desensitise the visible light spectrum more than the IR spectrum, although it will still likely cut your range.

I have several different xxxEyes and they appear to all use the same IR sensor. The differences in the MS13-MS16 are weather seal and features. Can you mount the sensor higher and tilt down so the headlights don't hit it square on?

[Brian H]

Many of the latest light bars use high output LEDs.
Next time I see my Nephew that works for Whelen Engineering. I will ask him if he knows the emissions they produce.