I'm planning my install and have a question about mounting indoor motions. Should I mount them on exterior walls facing inward so they won't pick up outdoor motion through doors/windows? I wasn't sure if they could detect that motion through the windows and doors. I don't want them triggering if a leaf blows by the patio door or shrubs are moving in a breeze.
Indoor motion detectors sensing outdoor motion?
- Thread starter mrshanes
- Start date
) had an episode about this. An IR motion detector can not see through glass.
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
This is true, BUT, you don't want the motion pointing at a window because if the sun is shining through it, generating a heat pattern inside the room, and a large cloud rolls through blocking the sun for a bit, it may trip the motion detector.
Sounds like motion won't trip them, but sun/heat patterns may. Since some of these will be facing west and getting a lot of late afternoon / evening sun, I'll go ahead and mount them pointing away from windows. Thanks everyone for the input.
Dave X10
Active Member
I concern myself with heat ducts as well. I like motion sensors in stairs and hallways best of all.
tmbrown97
Senior Member
Another option is dual-tech sensors (both IR and Microwave; won't trigger unless both trip at the same time)... I use em because of my pets, but knowing what I know now, I think I'd use them either way. Much less susceptible to false alarms from those types of things. I have 2 pointing right at the windows, but the only false alarms I've ever had were due to us leaving something for the cats to climb on at least 4.5ft off the ground. They do cost a little more though.
I think I will be using dual tech sensors. I do have two dogs also. They are both rather old now, so I may just install the motions, but not really use them for a while. I'm looking at the Visonic Next+ Duo K9-85 models, but I'm also considering some without pet immunity.
I have the Bosch Blue-line dual PIR/Microwave sensors. They are under $50 each. I seal them up and use them outdoors, and use them anywhere that something might heat up and trip a false alarm. For everything else, I just use the Blue Line PIR only models, which are like $10.
apostolakisl
Senior Member
I have a motion detector that trips on windy days. It is pointing towards a wall of windows but the windows are about 50 feet away and only a portion of the windows are in view of the detector. The sun doesn't shine in to the house from that direction and there is a covered porch out those windows as well keeping the sun away. So, I don't get how it is being tripped but it is quite annoying and so far all I have been able to do is shut down that detector.
