# Home made rain sensor idea **URL:** \ **Category:** Ideas & Suggestions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117 "2020-04-29T19:06:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UA84](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ua84/32/31840_2.png) [@UA84](https://community.homey.app/u/UA84)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 9:27am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/22 "2021-08-25T09:27:03Z")
Thank you for your answer. I will look into that today. With “maze” you mean the print itself (“sensor parts”)? I saw this morning that there is big scratch on the print, could this (also) be the problem? @robertklep. I don’t have a multimeter, so cant check it… ---
**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 9:31am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/23 "2021-08-25T09:31:52Z")
If you don’t have a multimeter: if you remove one (or both) of the connections to the sensor PCB, does the alarm state change back to “no alarm”? If so, your sensor is likely broken (it has a permanent connection somewhere; the scratch you mention might be causing it). ---
**Author:** ![Cuprum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/cuprum/32/41409_2.png) [@Cuprum](https://community.homey.app/u/Cuprum)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 9:47am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/24 "2021-08-25T09:47:03Z")
Yeah… started to use term “sensor”, but this collides - the same for a electronic part and the sensing part. So, because of that i used the “maze” for sensing part (as the printed circuits ??? on top of it are like a maze walls) About scratch on top of “maze” - yes, of course, if the conductive tracks from different poles touch, then there is no need for raindrops to activate alarm. ---
**Author:** ![UA84](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ua84/32/31840_2.png) [@UA84](https://community.homey.app/u/UA84)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2021, 9:53am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/25 "2021-08-25T09:53:23Z")
If I remove one of them, the alarm stops indeed. I will try a new sensor, thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Jan\_Pathuis](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jan_pathuis/32/15546_2.png) [@Jan\_Pathuis](https://community.homey.app/u/Jan_Pathuis)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/26 "2021-08-26T15:22:27Z")
![20200831_112616](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/3/d3f3dd56885613bb185a8c513d4861c08273a8df.jpeg) You have made a very nice mounting. I am using the construction shown in this picture as rain meter for almost a year now. All dots are surrounded by their electronic counterpart. An esp8266 measures the AC resistance (AC → less oxidation). I added a resistor chain at the inside, glued on the print. As soon as some moisture is detected, a current through these resistors heats up the print. In this way the remaining water is removed rather quickly. Maybe you can implement this idea to get a faster recovery of the device. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/f/efd1b1ddf1de8bf362a43dba1146aa3cff4efe29.png) ---
**Author:** ![UA84](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ua84/32/31840_2.png) [@UA84](https://community.homey.app/u/UA84)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2021, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/27 "2021-08-27T22:58:39Z")
Just an update of my earlier post. I put a new raindrop sensor on the aqara watersensor, and no false alarm. So my earlier problem was a defect raindrop sensor. But i noticed that it takes a while for the alarm stops. I tried it with a few drups and I’m an hour further, and the alarm is still on. When I dry it myself the alarm turns off. Do you guys experiencing the same? ---
**Author:** ![RonnyW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ronnyw/32/10879_2.png) [@RonnyW](https://community.homey.app/u/RonnyW)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 6:44am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/28 "2021-08-28T06:44:26Z")
Hi, yes, the alarm stays on if there is still water on the sensor. At summer it’s not the problem. It will dry fast. At cold days with high humidity, even due will raise the alarm. For normal rain, I put a piece of aluminium tape at the bottom edge. So the water will not stay at the border but drips of. ![20210828_084221](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/6/2/62445265ff70d1df52d580582ac7630b5d2959bc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![UA84](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ua84/32/31840_2.png) [@UA84](https://community.homey.app/u/UA84)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 8:02am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/29 "2021-08-28T08:02:57Z")
Thank you for your response. It is not the most reliable system then, that’s too bad. I wanted to use it, when it rains and the windows are open, that i get a message threw google home speakers. I use buienalarm now, and think i will continue use that. How do you guys use yours in a flow? Maybe my set-up isn’t really the best way either, it looks very awesome do 😂. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/0/3/0333050e128b06a94670ad8c4a8f20664ef38987.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/9/d/9d9ee4c4dce87c47ad3a719b4691449f96843b5b.jpeg) But with many things in life, looks are not everything ;). ---
**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 8:08am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/30 "2021-08-28T08:08:50Z")
You could try removing the entire edge on the lower part of the housing that holds the sensor. You have added a slot to it, but that may not be enough to prevent water from building up and bridging the contacts. ---
**Author:** ![Satoer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/satoer/32/38113_2.png) [@Satoer](https://community.homey.app/u/Satoer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 8:10am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/31 "2021-08-28T08:10:57Z")
I’ve used this sensor before for a flood detection circuit. In my experience, they don’t have a long lifespan. There’s a small voltage between the detection traces which resulted in heavy corroding. In less than a year the traces where broken. ---
**Author:** ![UA84](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ua84/32/31840_2.png) [@UA84](https://community.homey.app/u/UA84)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 8:19am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/32 "2021-08-28T08:19:52Z")
I was thinking to remove the entire part that holds the sensor and place it different (more straight and open), maybe that helps. Thanks! > [@Home made rain sensor idea](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/31): > > I’ve used this sensor before for a flood detection circuit. In my experience, they don’t have a long lifespan. There’s a small voltage between the detection traces which resulted in heavy corroding. In less than a year the traces where broken. The lifespan is not that important for me, reliability is. I bought a couple of them for €0,55 each. But if it isnt reliable it’s a waste of (mostly) time ;). ---
**Author:** ![Undertaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/undertaker/32/53278_2.png) [@Undertaker](https://community.homey.app/u/Undertaker)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 8:32am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/33 "2021-08-28T08:32:47Z")
I’ll be ordering one of these soon. The rain sensor works optically. It’s expensive, but it should work. My plan is to connect the sensor to a binary sensor and to transfer the information rain yes / no to Homey. [https://rainsensors.com/](https://rainsensors.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_van\_der\_Aart](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/martin_van_der_aart/32/9658_2.png) [@Martin\_van\_der\_Aart](https://community.homey.app/u/Martin_van_der_Aart)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 10:30am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/34 "2021-08-28T10:30:25Z")
Looks good, but have you seen the estimated shipping costs? , very high prices. ---
**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 10:42am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/35 "2021-08-28T10:42:17Z")
[https://www.antratek.nl/optical-rain-sensor-rg-9](https://www.antratek.nl/optical-rain-sensor-rg-9) ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_van\_der\_Aart](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/martin_van_der_aart/32/9658_2.png) [@Martin\_van\_der\_Aart](https://community.homey.app/u/Martin_van_der_Aart)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 11:02am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/36 "2021-08-28T11:02:48Z")
Thanks Robert, just also found the dutch site myself. These sensors look a good reliable solution. ---
**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:** [August 28, 2021, 11:36am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/37 "2021-08-28T11:36:28Z")
This could also be an alternative if you are using a Homematic gateway (CCU2, CCU3, RaspberryMatic). This sensor is also a bit “home made” because this is a DIY kit… 😉 > **[ELV Homematic Bausatz Funk-Regensensor HM-Sen-RD-O, für Smart Home /...](https://de.elv.com/elv-homematic-komplettbausatz-funk-regensensor-hm-sen-rd-o-fuer-smart-home-hausautomation-130209)** > > So kann der Sensor z. B. dazu eingesetzt werden, um einen Homematic Rollladen-Aktor anzusteuern, der bei beginnendem Regen die Markise automatisch… ---
**Author:** ![Osorkon](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/osorkon/32/43026_2.png) [@Osorkon](https://community.homey.app/u/Osorkon)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2021, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/38 "2021-08-28T12:09:04Z")
My Rain Sensor: - B+B Rain Sensor 24v - Fibaro Smart Implant ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/a/a/aa673c72e7843e6bb4bc35dad4884c900568792c.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/5/e5e8374646a42d09073c8720345716df4581e5c4.jpeg) Works perfect, since already 4 month. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Frans\_Keeman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/frans_keeman/32/79711_2.png) [@Frans\_Keeman](https://community.homey.app/u/Frans_Keeman)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/39 "2021-08-30T16:47:51Z")
are you sure you don’t have a range issue? Is it still connected to homey i mean. if you take off one off those wires it should go out. ---
**Author:** ![UA84](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ua84/32/31840_2.png) [@UA84](https://community.homey.app/u/UA84)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2021, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/40 "2021-08-30T18:28:27Z")
Yes, it is not a range issue. I already figured it out. There was some water behind the sensor, so the alarm was triggered every time. Yesterday I changed the part the raindrop sensor was in (using the other side). No false notification for now. I will keep monitoring it for I while, before using it in a flow. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/c/c/cc37acedebf5567323ccde15d053899ed2609fb7.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Frans\_Keeman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/frans_keeman/32/79711_2.png) [@Frans\_Keeman](https://community.homey.app/u/Frans_Keeman)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2021, 1:57pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117/41 "2021-08-31T13:57:28Z")
did you make this out off PLA or PETG. My first was PLA but after a year it was totally out of shape [Previous page](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/home-made-rain-sensor-idea/29117.md?page=3)