Matter sensor for external mailbox

[Nik_27]

Hello homies, I would like to smartify my external mailbox with one matter sensor which should send me a notification when a letter is left by postman.

I have the smart controller 2 (Matter ready) and I would like to use something smaller than the Bosch smart home sensor (which is really huge); is there any list of compatible sensors from third party to buy ?

If not, which requirement the sensor should have ?

Thank you in advance for your hint.

[STdesign]

The Smart Home Controller II can just act as a Matter Bridge. In no case it is a Matter Controller. In consequence, no third party Matter devices can connected directly.

Instead, you have to use a Matter Controller/Border Router and a compatible device / sensor.

[Nik_27]

Hello STdesign, first of all thanks for such fast reply.

If it's so (smart controller II is a matter bridge only), I fear that the best-fit choice is to buy the Bosch smart sensor.

By the way, for a better evaluation, do you

suggest a cheap Matter controller + small

sensor to buy ?

Thank you in advance

[STdesign]

Unfortunately, I can't give you a recommendation. I don't use the Matter function and I don't have any third party device.

[Maurice]

Even with a third party Matter controller / Thread border router, the SHC won't be able to use the sensor. Notifications would have to be sent by the Matter controller itself and you'll need their app to receive them. You'd essentially end up with two distinct systems.

The Bosch door / window contacts work fine for mailboxes, I don't think their size really matters for this use case.

[WHasse1]

Schau hier: Mailboxsensor 

[Nik_27]

Hello WHasse, 

first of all thanks for your hint.

Unfortunately, my mailbox is an internal one. Which means it has no cover like in the pictures. Therefore only a smart sensor can help.

[Nik_27]

[STdesign · Accepted solution]

Maybe a Motion Sensor will be an appropriate solution (?) But, of course, it is much bigger. With that you can use motion itself, and additionally light intensity as trigger.

Bewegungsmelder II [+M] 

[WHasse1]

Das ist eine sehr gute Idee 💡💡Der Bewegungssensor passt auch gut in die obere Ecke des abgebildeten Briefkastens.

[STdesign]

And with the orientation light of the Motion Detector II [+M], it is still possible to illuminate the mailbox. 💡📬

[Maurice]

The motion detector essentially is a very basic thermal imaging system, so I'm not too confident it will detect mail (which is roughly at ambient temperature).

I'd probably try an improvised flap (inside the mailbox) which gets pushed away by mail. And then attach the magnet of a window contact to that flap.

[AlanSumm]

I would make a false base resting on a micro switch (with an arm for extra leverage) which is wired to a door/window contact.