# Distance sensor **URL:** \ **Category:** Devices\ **Tags:** zigbee, homey-pro\ **Created:** [April 3, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981 "2025-04-03T12:39:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Egg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/egg/32/123669_2.png) [@Egg](https://community.homey.app/u/Egg)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/1 "2025-04-03T12:39:50Z")
Looking for a distance sensor for Homey, preferably using Zigbee, but open to suggestions. Our usecase is that we have our trash bins stored in a shed and they need to be rolled out on the street every Monday evening. I want to have a sensor in the shed that detects if the bin is there or not and triggers a light inside if the bin is still in the shed. ---
**Author:** ![JohanP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johanp/32/119002_2.png) [@JohanP](https://community.homey.app/u/JohanP)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/2 "2025-04-03T13:23:17Z")
How about : > [@\[Tutorial\] Presence detection with bluetooth beacon](https://community.homey.app/t/tutorial-presence-detection-with-bluetooth-beacon/3536): > > Tutorial version: 0.2 Goal: Presence detection hardware: Tile Pro website: thetileapp (dot) com App: [Beacon](https://apps.athom.com/app/com.koktail.beacon) (credits Leendert De Kok ) App topic : [HERE](https://community.homey.app/t/beacon-using-ble-beacons-for-presence-detection/3550) It’s hard to find a good solutions for presence, after testing with wifi connections and z-wave/kaku remotes i tried it with bluetooth beacon on a keychain. The result is working perfectly. Install the beacon app (appstore). Buy a beacon (i use a Tile Pro (2 devices for 60 euro, deliverd in the netherlands within 24hours ;-). Add the… ---
**Author:** ![Egg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/egg/32/123669_2.png) [@Egg](https://community.homey.app/u/Egg)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/3 "2025-04-03T13:37:35Z")
Not sure if that would work. The shed is around 20m from the Homey (through 3 walls) so dont think it’s within BT range ---
**Author:** ![JohanP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johanp/32/119002_2.png) [@JohanP](https://community.homey.app/u/JohanP)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 1:43pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/4 "2025-04-03T13:43:55Z")
Guess it depends on the beacon you use. It only needs to detect it, it doesn’t carry data like a music stream… ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:13pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/5 "2025-04-03T14:13:33Z")
Hmm, I’ve different beacons, Feasycom amongst $1 Ali nonames, but with a Pro 2019 the range is 4 to 5m max, no walls. Which beacons (can) send stronger signals? Just curious because I never searched for beacons’ signal strength. @Egg An IR sensor + reflector can do the trick, you can have it switch a Shelly UNI input for instance. [Example](https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/infrarood-lichtsluis-entree-sluis-schakelvermogen-2a-input-dc-12v-schakelspanning-250v-3m/9300000123206147/?bltgh=lX2yTvLtTOsSZgg6Gz1Jtw.4_37.42.ProductImage) ![1000045875](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/f/ff80b13d136b560c07ef82e020fb18a774fc33e6.jpeg) You’ll need a (big) battery or power unit + power cable. When using wifi 2.4GHz, the signal might reach it, maybe an additional AP or signal repeater is needed. ---
**Author:** ![JohanP](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/johanp/32/119002_2.png) [@JohanP](https://community.homey.app/u/JohanP)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2025, 2:24pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/6 "2025-04-03T14:24:21Z")
Not sure on brands or models, but BT can go up to 10 meters at least… ---
**Author:** ![DirkG](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/dirkg/32/118897_2.png) [@DirkG](https://community.homey.app/u/DirkG)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/7 "2025-04-04T15:47:03Z")
> **[Ecowitt LDS01 Laser Distance Sensor, Laser Rangefinder for Water Tank](https://shop.ecowitt.com/products/lds01?variant=45041611997346)** > > Ecowitt provides professional weather products to people around the world. With strong technology and factory backup, ecowitt will be your perfect choice! Check our store for more weather products. Not cheap, but the sensor is supported by the [Misol and Ecowitt](https://homey.app/a/com.misol/test/) app. ---
**Author:** ![Egg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/egg/32/123669_2.png) [@Egg](https://community.homey.app/u/Egg)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/8 "2025-04-04T15:59:38Z")
Need two of them as we have two bins with separate pickup days so 200$ is a tad to much 😂 ---
**Author:** ![DirkG](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/dirkg/32/118897_2.png) [@DirkG](https://community.homey.app/u/DirkG)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/9 "2025-04-05T14:34:45Z")
Maybe this could be an alternative. You need 2 pcs. of the [blebox parkingSensor](https://blebox.eu/en/product/parkingsensor/). The problem with this sensor is, that it’s not possible to integrated it into the WLAN network or other networks. This sensor has no transmission function at all. Therefore, additional devices are required that can monitor the voltage of the RGB or presence output: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/2/8/281973d558628af9dc06ea5feff5bbb8ba9fc975.png) You can use a [Shelly Plus Uni](https://www.shelly.com/products/shelly-plus-uni?_pos=53&_fid=1a82bb343&_ss=c), for example. This device has an analog input to which the presence output can be connected and monitored: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/9/0/90f2f4153951065717f9aeaa98c6852e6fdb85c7.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/a/0/a0bf9f2a5b14804f4e51c01598c6423ba7301f47.png) 0 VDC = No trash bin 24 VDC = Trash bin is in place Disadvantage - you need 2 blebox parkingSensor and 2 Shelly Plus Uni Advantage - only one power supply unit with 24VDC is required for all components Approx. costs in Germany: - blebox parkingSensor: ~ 40 €/pc. - Shelly Uni Plus: ~ 16 €/pc. - Power Supply (24 VDC): ~ 15 - 40 € ---
**Author:** ![ExtraKim](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/extrakim/32/85286_2.png) [@ExtraKim](https://community.homey.app/u/ExtraKim)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/distance-sensor/133981/10 "2025-12-07T16:40:49Z")
If you place the bin in the same place each time, couldn’t you just use a magnetic door/window sensor and put a magnet on the bin?