Swipe won't respond through plasterboard/drywall?

[Lanlec 0]

I have installed RGBW downlighters and RGBW Strip (uplighter), colours controlled via a couple of Fibaro RGBW controllers.  I've configured a swipe to switch the lights on and off (up and down = downlighters on or off, right and left = uplighters on or off) on the stand these work brilliantly; when I place the Swipe unit behind a plasterboard wall (12mm thickness) the Swipe intermittently beeps (continually) but won't respond to any gestures???

 

I can see both sides of the wall as I'm testing the unit at the moment, so I know that I'm gesturing in the correct position.

 

I've looked through settings on the HC2 to see whether I need to change a parameter; I can't find anything that appears to indicate this.

 

Any help would be VERY much appreciated.

[AutoFrank 372]

I have installed RGBW downlighters and RGBW Strip (uplighter), colours controlled via a couple of Fibaro RGBW controllers.  I've configured a swipe to switch the lights on and off (up and down = downlighters on or off, right and left = uplighters on or off) on the stand these work brilliantly; when I place the Swipe unit behind a plasterboard wall (12mm thickness) the Swipe intermittently beeps (continually) but won't respond to any gestures???

 

I can see both sides of the wall as I'm testing the unit at the moment, so I know that I'm gesturing in the correct position.

 

I've looked through settings on the HC2 to see whether I need to change a parameter; I can't find anything that appears to indicate this.

 

Any help would be VERY much appreciated.

 

 

 

 

Hi,

Some people have reported that the swipe beeps a lot because of some usb power supplies

The iphone one seems particularly bad.

 

might be worth trying a different type of usb power supply if you can 

 

-F

[Lanlec 0]

Hi,

Some people have reported that the swipe beeps a lot because of some usb power supplies

The iphone one seems particularly bad.

 

might be worth trying a different type of usb power supply if you can 

 

-F

Hi Frank.

 

I'm using the micro USB cable that came with the Swipe, it's powered directly from a Hager USB Socket.

 

It's odd that there's no beeping when the unit is on the stand but as soon as I hold it up to the rear face of the wall the beeping starts (almost like it's a proximity alert??).

 

Any idea's on the lack of response to gestures?

[fi-bar-oh 47]

I found my swipe beeped initially when I attached to one side if a breeze block wall with plaster board either side aka dry wall boards x 2

Works perfectly now but it's battery operated and easily accessible

[fi-bar-oh 47]

Almost like it took a few seconds to realise it was going to be in close proximity to a material

[AutoFrank 372]

Hi Frank.

 

I'm using the micro USB cable that came with the Swipe, it's powered directly from a Hager USB Socket.

 

It's odd that there's no beeping when the unit is on the stand but as soon as I hold it up to the rear face of the wall the beeping starts (almost like it's a proximity alert??).

 

Any idea's on the lack of response to gestures?

 

 

I played with this a while back as well.

I noticed that sometimes a small air-gap between the swipe and the surface helped but I wasn't able to conclusively verify that.

Batman's comments  may be of better use.....

I haven't had a chance to get back to it since to prove/disprove.

[AutoFrank 372]

I found my swipe beeped initially when I attached to one side if a breeze block wall with plaster board either side aka dry wall boards x 2

Works perfectly now but it's battery operated and easily accessible

 

How thick a surface are you swiping through and what's it's made of and are the gestures reliable.

I've had limited success with the swipe hidden/behind something TBH 

[fi-bar-oh 47]

Breeze block is concrete if I'm not mistaken? Not a builder

Please login or register to see this image.

/emoticons/default_smile.png" alt=":)" srcset="https://forum.fibaro.com/uploads/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> but standard UK depth is 4" plus plaster on either side

Gestures are reliable everytime... hard for circular as you cannot see device

Please login or register to see this image.

/emoticons/default_smile.png" alt=":)" srcset="https://forum.fibaro.com/uploads/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

[Lanlec 0]

How tick a surface are you swiping through and what's it's made of and are the gestures reliable.

I've had limited success with the swipe hidden/behind something TBH 

 

12 mm Plasterboard is all I'm going through.  I wonder if it has anything to do with being battery operated as opposed to via micro usb?  That wouldn't be a problem in this instance, but there'll be other places in the property where access won't be as easy.  How long do the batteries last?

[fi-bar-oh 47]

12mm? Wow you should have no problems! I would just avoid sticking anything to its face in order to get it mounted! Fabricate a bracket is all I did

[Lanlec 0]

12mm? Wow you should have no problems! I would just avoid sticking anything to its face in order to get it mounted! Fabricate a bracket is all I did

 Sticking anything to the face isn't an option really (a bit slack of Fibaro to show it attached under a worktop when there's no way to do it).

 

I've got a few ideas for a bracket which I'll try out and post here when they're tested.

 

I know about the depth of wall that it's going through, I was astounded when it didn't pick up the gestures.

[AutoFrank 372]

 Sticking anything to the face isn't an option really (a bit slack of Fibaro to show it attached under a worktop when there's no way to do it).

 

I've got a few ideas for a bracket which I'll try out and post here when they're tested.

 

I know about the depth of wall that it's going through, I was astounded when it didn't pick up the gestures.

 

Thanks

 

I wonder could all of this inconsistency be down to the spec and stability of the different power supply's being used..

 

Batman - would you mind posting the spec and a picture if possible ,

volts, amps, watts and make//model

.......

[petergebruers 1,268]

Thanks

 

I wonder could all of this inconsistency be down to the spec and stability of the different power supply's being used..

 

Batman - would you mind posting the spec and a picture if possible ,

volts, amps, watts and make//model

.......

The swipe uses a an electromagnetic field to detect gestures. Your power supply is a "switcher" and has some AC noise, that can/may interfere with that field. It's not a theoretical issue, I checked with Fibaro, it's rare but it happens. I've tested about 10 supplies (chargers, pc's, lab power supply) without having a problem. But I know a from another beta tester that his unit occasionally false triggered when on a particular supply. Bear in mind that I have a pre production unit, and it is possible to fine-tune the device via firmware updates, so I'm not really sure if I can test this for you... Also this interference can not be judged from looking at the parameters. Also, a certain brand can have its chargers sourced from different manufacturers at different times.

I think the most relevant way to discuss is by specifying make/model.

To avoid this possible interference, I'd use batteries, but then set parameter 6 to "2 - the Swipe does not enter power saving mode" instead of the default "0 - Standby Mode" (to mimic usb power).

[Lanlec 0]

The swipe uses a an electromagnetic field to detect gestures. Your power supply is a "switcher" and has some AC noise, that can/may interfere with that field. It's not a theoretical issue, I checked with Fibaro, it's rare but it happens. I've tested about 10 supplies (chargers, pc's, lab power supply) without having a problem. But I know a from another beta tester that his unit occasionally false triggered when on a particular supply. Bear in mind that I have a pre production unit, and it is possible to fine-tune the device via firmware updates, so I'm not really sure if I can test this for you... Also this interference can not be judged from looking at the parameters. Also, a certain brand can have its chargers sourced from different manufacturers at different times.

I think the most relevant way to discuss is by specifying make/model.

To avoid this possible interference, I'd use batteries, but then set parameter 6 to "2 - the Swipe does not enter power saving mode" instead of the default "0 - Standby Mode" (to mimic usb power).

 

Thanks Peter.

 

I'll get all information an post when on site next week.

 

Quick question, using batteries and setting to not enter power saving mode... will this not drain batteries quickly?

[petergebruers 1,268]

Thanks Peter.

 

I'll get all information an post when on site next week.

 

Quick question, using batteries and setting to not enter power saving mode... will this not drain batteries quickly?

I've done some measurements but I question the validity. I guess you want to have some rough estimate? Mode 0 should be ok for "many months", while mode 2 should be "a few months". I really have to redo my measurements and calculations to give a better answer. I'll try to do that next week and post the result in a separate thread.

[Lanlec 0]

Thanks everyone for thoughts so far. I'm back on site next week. I'll get more information and post what I find. In the meantime any further information is still very welcome.