Doorbell notification support

[ifeign]

It appears that the equivalent HASS plugin has figured out doorbell press notifications, would it be possible to add this so that we can get doorbell notifications? It should be possible to use HomePods as chimes if this can be implemented

https://github.com/XaF/qolsysgw/issues/102

[EHylands]

Hi @ifeign, I added the Doorbell sensor accessory to version 0.5.0-beta.0 I don't own a IQ Doorbell sensor myself, but I was able to add a simulated doorbell accessory to home app and get iOS notification on doorbell ring. Please let me know if it works on your side.

[EHylands]

[ifeign]

Oh wow I’m a fool and missed that this requires the IQ sensor. I thought this would work with my ADC-VDB770. Guess I’ll pick up one of these sensors, thanks for adding this!

Edit: Sensor ordered, will report in a few days. Thanks for your quick work @EHylands!

Can you confirm that you are able to enable this on HomePods?

[EHylands]

@ifeign I just saw your new reply. I don't own an HomePod yet. Doorbell accessory doesn't look like its adding an accessory in Home App. I see the doorbell accessory in Homebridge but only doorbell notifications in Home App.

Was the example shown from your ADC-VDB770 accessory?

I will try to find out differences between doorbell accessory and video doorbell accessory.

[ifeign]

@ifeign I just saw your new reply. I don't own an HomePod yet. Doorbell accessory doesn't look like its adding an accessory in Home App. I see the doorbell accessory in Homebridge but only doorbell notifications in Home App.

Was the example shown from your ADC-VDB770 accessory?

I will try to find out differences between doorbell accessory and video doorbell accessory.

The example is just a generic screenshot from an article on HomeKit doorbells

[cistearns]

Just a couple added notes. The IQ Doorbell sensor is likely just a regular sensor configured to detect when the circuit for a door bell is completed, kind of like a water sensor. @EHylands I assume you simulated it by just using a regular contact sensor, and telling the IQ panel that it is a doorbell sensor? If not that should be possible to basically see it end to end, it is going to be a normally open sensor and when the contact is closed is the button press.

Due to how it works and how most doorbell cameras work, the sensor is likely not compatible with using a doorbell camera unless the camera is also using a power kit that bypasses the physical chime until the button is pressed. @ifeign if your VDB770 doesn't have the power kit you will likely need one for this to work.

I'll be curious to see how well this works. I've been using a IQ Remote to know when the doorbell is pressed in another part of the house.

[ifeign]

Just a couple added notes. The IQ Doorbell sensor is likely just a regular sensor configured to detect when the circuit for a door bell is completed, kind of like a water sensor. @EHylands I assume you simulated it by just using a regular contact sensor, and telling the IQ panel that it is a doorbell sensor? If not that should be possible to basically see it end to end, it is going to be a normally open sensor and when the contact is closed is the button press.

Due to how it works and how most doorbell cameras work, the sensor is likely not compatible with using a doorbell camera unless the camera is also using a power kit that bypasses the physical chime until the button is pressed. @ifeign if your VDB770 doesn't have the power kit you will likely need one for this to work.

I'll be curious to see how well this works. I've been using a IQ Remote to know when the doorbell is pressed in another part of the house.

Considering that the sensor is battery powered, I’m not concerned about it drawing power away from my existing video doorbell. It attaches to the chime and behaves as you described, by notifying once the chime circuit is completed. I will report back once I receive the sensor on whether or not my video doorbell has power issues. I only want this sensor to be able to turn my HomePods into chimes…

[cistearns]

@ifeign The compatibility issue between door bell cameras and the sensor is that the small constant current pull from the camera may be enough that the sensor will detect that as button presses, generating random phantom presses. This will depend on its sensitivity threshold. An inline resistor on the sensor may help if that is the case. The reason the power kits can resolve this is that it isolates the chime so that current only flows to the physical chime when the button is pressed (this is also why it is used to eliminate buzzing of the chime). If you already have a power kit then just attach the IQ sensor only to the physical chime and it should work without issue.

[ifeign]

From my understanding of the vdb770 user manual, the power kit is mandatory anyway. I’ll investigate later today. Thanks your your insight, it’s very helpful

On Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 12:30 AM Charles Stearns @.***> wrote:

@ifeign https://github.com/ifeign The compatibility issue between door bell cameras and the sensor is that the small constant current pull from the camera may be enough that the sensor will detect that as button presses, generating random phantom presses. This will depend on its sensitivity threshold. An inline resistor on the sensor may help if that is the case. The reason the power kits can resolve this is that it isolates the chime so that current only flows to the physical chime when the button is pressed (this is also why it is used to eliminate buzzing of the chime). If you already have a power kit then just attach the IQ sensor only to the physical chime and it should work without issue.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/EHylands/homebridge-qolsys/issues/32#issuecomment-1918470514, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHWLHYDPJQGSQTADMHM2HCDYRHQIXAVCNFSM6AAAAABCGMIJX6VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTSMJYGQ3TANJRGQ . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

[cistearns]

Just a heads up but I tried to get my hands on the IQ Doorbell sensor, and it sounds like they may no longer be in production. I'm going to try another vendor that might have old stock.

[ifeign]

Just a heads up but I tried to get my hands on the IQ Doorbell sensor, and it sounds like they may no longer be in production. I'm going to try another vendor that might have old stock.

Just sourced one on eBay! Will report back once I have it. Canceled my AlarmGrid order because it was backordered

[cistearns]

@ifeign yeah, it was AlarmGrid that got back to me and canceled the order to due to lack of availability. Currently I don't see any on eBay, so these may just be very hard to source going forward, which is unfortunate, but expected since doorbell cameras are a common install now.

[ifeign]

I was shipped a faulty sensor, very disappointed. The LED on the sensor don’t light up at all, and it is never detected by the panel even after a battery swap. The search continues. Any luck? @cistearns

[cistearns]

@ifeign Nope I never found one. Maybe grab a picture of the internals? It's possible these are functionally just flood sensors, which are also a normally open sensor. Normally the panel doesn't really care if you force the sensor to a different type as long as the normal state is the same as needed for that type.

[ifeign]

I ordered another one from a site called CommGear after confirming they had stock. Shipping was a bit steep, but I really want this damn sensor. Will try again next week once it gets in. Maybe this image can provide you some insight @cistearns

[cistearns]

Ahh, yeah it has 3 wires instead of two so it is different internals.

[ifeign]

The third wire (white) is optional and is only for if you have a second rear doorbell

On Thu, Feb 8, 2024 at 3:57 PM Charles Stearns @.***> wrote:

Ahh, yeah it has 3 wires instead of two so it is different internals.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/EHylands/homebridge-qolsys/issues/32#issuecomment-1934997052, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AHWLHYEX32DDZPGS3VMVFI3YSVC4DAVCNFSM6AAAAABCGMIJX6VHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMYTSMZUHE4TOMBVGI . You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: @.***>

[ifeign]

Well I added the sensor, and it shows up in HomeKit like this which seems incorrect

I also don’t get doorbell notifications. Did I do something wrong on my end @EHylands?

here’s the only log entry [2/13/2024, 1:09:15 PM] [homebridge-qolsys] Zonel0 (DoorbellSensor): Door Bell

[cistearns]

@ifeign can you confirm what version your HomeKit hub device is running? (ie 17.x)

[ifeign]

It's the latest 17.x release, I always keep it updated. I've run into a problem though, these damn sensors are a pain. I got it paired with my panel, but it wasn't doing anything, it wouldn't even notify of a tamper like any other sensor would and would show as active with the batteries removed and power cut.. so I unpaired it and now it refuses to pair with the Qolsys panel again. I am about to give up lol. There's basically zero documentation on this thing and I can't be sure how to factory reset it - nothing I've tried works

[cistearns]

@ifeign S-Line sensors like this are basically dumb one way communication devices, they don't have a concept of factory reset, the panel can just learn them in when they are tampered due to the messages they send. Since these are old stock I'd assume the batteries are bad in them, even if the pull tabs are still in place. You can also directly learn them in using their identifier rather than autolearn though that info usually gets covered up with the mounting tape.

Along with swapping out batteries you might try to tamper while not attached to the doorbell, in case there is something about the existing current at the doorbell that is messing it up. If it does install detached you should be able to test it by just touching the red and black wires or the white and black wires.

It's possible that these are just prone to failure.

[ifeign]

After multiple retries, I seem to have paired the sensor again, however it doesn’t seem to do anything. It just has the status as Active. It doesn’t update if I tamper it or anything. Honestly I feel bad for opening this can of worms lol. Sorry @EHylands and @cistearns

Edit: the sensor randomly just changed its status from Active to Activated, and I got a HomeKit notification.. but the doorbell wasn’t actually pressed. I’m so confused. Could the transformer for the vdb770 be the issue here? Should I wire the sensor differently?

ignore the “type changed” I was just looking at other sensor types

[cistearns]

So the problem is that it is being added at as a PowerG sensor, when it is an S-Line Sensor. I don't know how that is happening, but it won't work as a PowerG (345Mhz) sensor The Source should be RF319 (it's a 319.5 MHz device. That is also why you couldn't enter a DL ID for it correctly.

Maybe confirm what sensor radios you do have? The IQ2 comes in a few flavors and not all support S-Line sensors. If you aren't sure look up the System Configuration under Advanced -> About -> Hardware.

[cistearns]

@ifeign Actually relooking at your screen shots, I'm almost certain your configuration is that of a PowerG+345. This means that it is configured to work with PowerG sensors as well as 2Gig / Honeywell sensors, but not S-Line or Interlogix (319Mhz). In which case this sensor won't work for you. The 'good' news is that if you can find a legacy 345Mhz 2Gig/Honeywell sensor that does the same thing you can try to use that.

[ifeign]

Yes I have a PowerG + 345. If this sensor is incompatible, why is it able to connect? My issue might actually be from distance to the doorbell chime (it’s on the second floor). My signal strength is terrible

edit: I looked up the FCC ID and these are 319mhz as you suggested.. so why is my panel picking them up?

edit 2: found the appropriate 319mhz daughter board for my panel for cheap, the adventure continues lol

[cistearns]

When adding it, was the sensor detected as a doorbell or did you have to change the type to doorbell? It's entirely possible you are just picking up some other sensor from a distant neighbor that is in a trouble/broadcast state so the panel is trying to add it.

Either way I think you are unfortunately out of luck with this device. There are a few hack approaches you can try, if you get your hands on a sensor that has auxiliary contact terminals to use to detect the doorbell being triggered. The PowerG PG9945 is an example, though you can probably get something cheaper in the legacy 2Gig/Honeywell sensors.

[cistearns]

@ifeign did you get the daughter board? I think installing it means pulling out the 345 board, so you will want to make sure you don't have any sensors on the 345.

[ifeign]

@ifeign did you get the daughter board? I think installing it means pulling out the 345 board, so you will want to make sure you don't have any sensors on the 345.

It should get in tomorrow. I don’t have any 345 accessories, so I’m hoping this is the final hurdle. Tested my sensors with my Flipper Zero (idk why I didn’t think to sooner) and both are broadcasting at 915.5mhz, so I guess I have a spare now if you’d like it.

Anyway, will report back soon

[ifeign]

It works perfectly! No extra accessories show up in the app, it just immediately works after restarting my Qolsys child bridge

@cistearns let me know if you want my spare IQ Doorbell sensor. Happy to send it to you for free, I don’t need two

[ifeign]

Looks like I spoke too soon. I had to restart the server Homebridge is installed on yesterday, afterwards a “not supported” doorbell accessory appeared. Not a huge deal, @EHylands is it worth reopening this issue? Or is this just what has to happen to have a functional doorbell sensor?

[EHylands]

Hi, I'm glad to know the doorbell trigger mechanism works properly.

I have tried to properly set the accessory characteristics for the unsupported tile to disappear in Home app without success yet. I tried looking into other homebridge projects only using a doorbell without an associated video camera but couldn't find one yet.

The other option I found (on a version I did not publish yet) is to present the doorbell accessory in Home app as a stateless button. It allows to configure an automation or a scene when the doorbell is triggered through the native home app without resorting to a 3rd party app like Eve.

I could publish that version if you would like to try that second option.

[ifeign]

Hi, I'm glad to know the doorbell trigger mechanism works properly.

I have tried to properly set the accessory characteristics for the unsupported tile to disappear in Home app without success yet. I tried looking into other homebridge projects only using a doorbell without an associated video camera but couldn't find one yet.

The other option I found (on a version I did not publish yet) is to present the doorbell accessory in Home app as a stateless button. It allows to configure an automation or a scene when the doorbell is triggered through the native home app without resorting to a 3rd party app like Eve.

I could publish that version if you would like to try that second option.

A stateless button would be amazing actually! I could have my TV pause when the doorbell is pressed for example. Plus on a less important note, the button accessory looks sort of like a doorbell.

Only example non-video plugin I can think of is this one

[EHylands]

@ifeign , I just published version 0.5.0-beta.1 with a stateless button. Let me know if it works!

[ifeign]

@ifeign , I just published version 0.5.0-beta.1 with a stateless button. Let me know if it works!

@EHylands it works perfectly! I just created a test action to turn off some lights, worked immediately.

I think this is ready for release

[ifeign]

One final question @EHylands is this icon an option for buttons? Or did they change when they updated all the icons for iOS 16?

edit: also it seems Apple made an icon for doorbells, but I don’t think anything actually uses it. How weird.. but also typical of the HomeKit experience

[EHylands]

@ifeign I tried playing around with the accessory characteristics, but could not find a way to change the tile icon in Home app ...