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Guardline perimeter sensors work really well for us. one example for 1/4 mile range for sensors and chime. and these are expandable systems.
Each one can set speed, sensitivity, and distance.
We are notified any time someone steps onto our property with these, much earlier than our simplisafe detects motion out of any of our 3 video doorbells.
It's two systems, but this one provides just a chime, and you can set a different chime for each proximity sensor.
It may work for you. Simplisafe doesn't seem interested in improving or expanding their offerings at this time. They filed a patent for a outdoor camera ages ago that never saw the light of day as a product. Not sure they are doing anything for expansion at this point.
This mount worked for us: UYODM Wall Mount Compatible with SimpliSafe Camera, 360 Degree Adjustable Aluminium Wall Mount
Not the base station, but I am running a doorbell off solar, which is of little help because it's A/C input anyway.
If you have a multimeter, you can use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QB74GM4/
Plug your battery direct to the inputs, then put your multimeter on voltage on the outputs and turn the volts screw until it matches the voltage output of the base station A/C adapter, then you can do the same for the current.
Then you need to wire the D/C out to the correct wires on the barrel connector and you're set.
This is what I bought and replaced all the strips that came with the sensors. Haven't had one fall off the wall yet. (Unless you count my cat figuring out how to climb the door frame and knock it off.)
It's basically velcro. Use 2 strips, one on wall, one on back of sensor. Push them together and they lock in.
The OEM cable from SS is 25 feet and I see some 3rd party cables on Amazon like this one that are 16 feet but that doesn't buy you much. Truth be told, I didn't dig too much on AMazon but you should probably spend a few minutes to check.
That said, even at 25 feet you can probably get creative about how it's coiled/folded and really reduce the footprint versus a loosely coiled loop. If you really compact it you could set it "above" the camera (between the camera and the magnetic mount) and it'd be mostly obscured from below. Or get creative and also paint the cable the same color as whatever surface it'll be resting against as well.
Not brand specific advice, but you can radically reduce the alerts from insects by turning off the internal IR leds and using a separate LED illuminator ten feet it more from the camera. IR LEDs attract flying insects. I have used this: Univivi Infrared Illuminator,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01G6K407Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Be sure to get the recommended power cord.
But if the use case is truly just for the garage door, you'd be better off spending $30 and just put a MyQ system on it. You can not only confirm whether the door is open or closed, but you can actually control it to open or close, remotely if needed.
I think you could relatively easily use something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Weatherproof-Gutter-Outdoor-Universal-Adapter/dp/B07FMHJBXY
Which clamps to the gutter using the thumb screws to clamp down. You could then mount a plate or something to screw that is shown going into the camera and then attach the SimpliSafe outdoor camera to that plate. It definitely would require some tinkering but not that much, IMO.
I don't use it (I do not ever want alarms being automatically enabled or disabled, personally) but I'd probably try using something like Home Assistant or try IFTT or similar. I honestly haven't looked into it.
The number of requests here and on the official forums I see for automation are overwhelmingly requests from IOS users so I wasn't as worried about adding Android info yet.
There's a possibility that you can do it with IFTTT using SMS messaging.
I know someone did it with WEMO.
I've been using Deleepow 1.5V Rechargeable AA Lithium Batteries https://www.amazon.com/Deleepow-Rechargeable-Batteries-Lithium-3400mWh/dp/B09N3D19N2 even though SS advised against it. They typically last 6 months or more before recharge (about 2 years now). I did have a keypad totally die and used the SS chat https://simplisafe.com/contact-us. They will send you a new one and you need to print out the USPS return and send the old one back.
Is your keypad an extended distance away from the base station? I would expect the keypad to have to make the radio work harder if the radio signal can't reach.
If you swipe down while in the app, it checks all sensors and reports if everything is OK. I'd also consider getting rechargeable AA batteries for the keypads, then you can just swap them out whenever you feel like it before a trip - even if they haven't reported as low yet. I've had good luck with these type from Amazon for years now.
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Rechargeable-Batteries-2000mAh-Pre-Charged/dp/B08N8L5GPC/
(that link should come up with a 12-pack of AA's for digital devices, + a 4-slot charger)
Kicking in a door is not difficult at all regardless of whether you have an ANSI 3 or 1 lock. Your money is almost certainly better spent on something like this that will reinforce your door jam against physical attacks.
I had an issue with mine and it was the actual chime https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KG81WY2 was shot. It was the relay. The post about the front/back chime "TWO SOUNDS: Classic two-note “Ding Dong” sound for the front door button and has an additional connection with a separate "Dong" for the rear or side door."
So you wired your transformer into a known good 120v source, then ran new wiring from that to the plate on your doorbell, then tried to install it and it appears to not be powered?
If so, first I'd take off the doorbell and test for voltage at the place where the wire connect.
If that doesn't give you voltage of 16 or so, go back and check at the 16V side of the transformer.
If that doesn't work, test with a non-contact sensor to make sure your 120V connection is good and that your transformer is properly wired on the AC side.
If you have 120v and it's properly wired, but no 16V output replace the transformer. I personally use this one
If your transformer works but you don't have voltage on the back plate where they connect for the doorbell, rewire that section.
If you have voltage at the baseplate but your camera won't turn on, contact simplisafe and let them know the troubleshooting you have done to get a recommendation of how to further troubleshoot or a replacement
Wish I could have saved you some trouble. I used this one for multiple installs like yours around our neighborhood. Thanks for sharing for others
Can't help you on the beeping / non beeping, but I can recommend switching over to AA rechargeables for our keypads. Amazon branded ones have worked well for us. Never have to leave the house to buy batteries again.
Thank you! Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089QCT8L5
I bought the 4 channel in-case I wanted to wire up other things later. I considered wiring up a garage door opener to it in-case I get locked out of my house or something.
If you want to wire up the "Away" or "Panic" buttons too then I'd get the 4 channel, otherwise the 2 channel is perfect for wiring the "Home" and "Disarm" buttons.
Please don't drill a hole in your siding if you don't absolutely need to. It can introduce moisture and other issues that will be annoying and/or costly to deal with in the future. It's also completely unnecessary for what you're trying to do.
They've made hooks that "clip in" to siding for hanging Christmas wreaths, lights, etc. and they've been around for years. At least one vendor (and I am sure there are others) have modified these hooks to add a screw for mounting cameras. These won't be as firmly affixed as screwing them in but unless you're in a hurricane prone area they should be "good enough" and even then you can probably get creative with epoxying them in place as well.
KIWI design Security Camera Mount Bracket, Universal Stylish Metal Wall Mount Fit for Ring, eufy, Wyze, Arlo Cameras and VR Rift Sensor, Vive/Valve Index Base Station Easy to Install (1 Pack, White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y9YFQSV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DF7Q7NT2M6DXZJ78WK6S
did it work? I was looking at this one:
(I'm in the US)
i called simplisafe cust service and asked for a recommendation, they said they would call me back...lol. Ive seen people opening up their door sensors to extend the antenna length but I would like to avoid if possible
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XS3CHW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_e2k7FbFW3R41R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I bought these and replaced most of the strips that came with the sensors.
I haven't had anything fall off since switching to those.
If you need to take it off the wired power supply you can use this. I’ve been using two with no issues so far
Doorbell Transformer 18V 500mA Power 500cm Cable Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VT6ZH5R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IKoMFbJ1D6DBD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I use doorbell cams for outside. I use this adapter:
Doorbell Transformer 18V 500mA Power 500cm Cable Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VT6ZH5R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_IKoMFbJ1D6DBD?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Yes this. If it's a DC device, you should stick with DC.
I used one of these to power an Eero off a solar panel with a lead-acid battery. It does require the use of a multimeter to set the output voltage, but the benefit is I don't have to worry about fluctuations of the battery affecting the input to the Eero.
Bad news is this setup won't work with a Simplisafe Video Doorbell, they run on AC, I'm still looking for a solid permanent way to operate that off solar.
Try wiring it a power supply like the one below to test it. If it works then there’s definitely something from your home wiring causing the doorbell to short or not function properly.
Doorbell Transformer, 18V Power Adapter for Ring Video Doorbell， Ring Video Doorbell 2,Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Nest hello and Smart Greet Wi-Fi Video Doorbell,Power Supply https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L3HSWNH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_66QjFbP71CF4D