# \[HOW TO\] make Xiaomi sensors usb powered **URL:** \ **Category:** Tutorials\ **Created:** [January 2, 2021, 12:21pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304 "2021-01-02T12:21:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [January 4, 2021, 7:50am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/21 "2021-01-04T07:50:09Z")
I guess it was just some confusion, the only 5s hack that exists (AFAIK) is for the motion sensor. ---
**Author:** ![Martijn\_Hoogenbosch](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/martijn_hoogenbosch/32/10647_2.png) [@Martijn\_Hoogenbosch](https://community.homey.app/u/Martijn_Hoogenbosch)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 8:01am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/22 "2021-01-04T08:01:33Z")
But, back on topic, I guess it is a great solution, especially for those where the battery drains fast. In my experience it has a lot to do with the quality of the battery. I always buy my 2032 batteries in bulk. Did have some old laying around and they drained in the deep freeze in a few days. The new ones are at least 6 months good. All others, on other locations easily exceed a year or longer (but don’t have most of the that long). ---
**Author:** ![Ziglar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ziglar/32/1009_2.png) [@Ziglar](https://community.homey.app/u/Ziglar)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 8:16am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/23 "2021-01-04T08:16:34Z")
After checking (and yes i neglected to change the battery), a battery lasts ~6 weeks. this graph shows the same on my other xiaomi humidity sensors. as this is strange and frustrating i am happy that there is a solution. ![homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/7/b/7b19064a29001f376cb05408b850fd9f76e56a64.png) ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 9:22am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/24 "2021-01-04T09:22:57Z")
Are you sure it’s the battery and not signal/connection loss or something like that? Because 6 weeks is really short. I have 16 of those sensors (both Aqara and the older ones) and everyone of them easily last more then a year. I have had one set of 4 once that were empty 4 months after receiving, but after replacing the batteries with brand new ones they also work already more than 14 months. Apart from that, i really like the modification and am certainly going to use it for a few sensors in difficult to reach places. ---
**Author:** ![Ziglar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ziglar/32/1009_2.png) [@Ziglar](https://community.homey.app/u/Ziglar)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 9:52am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/25 "2021-01-04T09:52:05Z")
Glad you like it 🙂 when i replace the battery (local supermarket & AliExpress) the sensors works fine for 6 weeks. its not the distance iether as i have 6/26 zigbee router points. but hey, if the battery’s work for 1~3 years for other ppl i also would doubt to do this mod 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PetervdK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/petervdk/32/20669_2.png) [@PetervdK](https://community.homey.app/u/PetervdK)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 10:29am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/26 "2021-01-04T10:29:57Z")
For what it’s worth: I use batteries from Ikea. Cheap and they work excellent… ---
**Author:** ![KvM](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kvm/32/6707_2.png) [@KvM](https://community.homey.app/u/KvM)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2021, 10:38am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/27 "2021-01-04T10:38:10Z")
All my aqara devices work for years on a single battery. I don’t think I have replaced a single battery yet, all the original “China” battery. For more then a dozen window/door sensors and temperature sensors. And using them for 2 years certainly, if not longer… ---
**Author:** ![Mas112](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/mas112/32/29838_2.png) [@Mas112](https://community.homey.app/u/Mas112)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 5:30am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/28 "2021-01-05T05:30:48Z")
Nice idea. what about the temperature accuracy now? I expect the voltage regulator to create some heat in the case. Did you check? Would be interesting to know. ---
**Author:** ![Ziglar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ziglar/32/1009_2.png) [@Ziglar](https://community.homey.app/u/Ziglar)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2021, 6:40am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/29 "2021-01-05T06:40:35Z")
my analog temp meter is +0.1 degrees C above the modded xiaomi 🙂 ---
**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:** [January 5, 2021, 7:58am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/30 "2021-01-05T07:58:52Z")
> [@Mas112](#): > > I expect the voltage regulator to create some heat in the case. Given how long these devices work with a battery (for some people at least 😉 ) I would think we’re talking microamps. Together with the regulator having to drop only about 1.7V I don’t think it will generate any relevant heat 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Le\_H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/le_h/32/8854_2.png) [@Le\_H](https://community.homey.app/u/Le_H)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304/31 "2021-02-14T13:11:58Z")
Just a small remark. The load current and voltage drop is small as the sensor is a low power design. The voltage regulator consumes additional (own) power and this can be more than the load (sensor) as this regular is probable a general purpose regulator! [Previous page](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-make-xiaomi-sensors-usb-powered/40304.md?page=1)