Using a MicroWave Sensor

Small, inexpensive microwave sensors are available that do a super job of detecting movement of people or objects by bouncing radio waves off of them.
This video show how you can use such a sensor to trigger a microcontroller or relay.
More information is on my web page here:
www.trainelectronics.com/Micro...

[@bobhacker7356]

Thanks for the video. These sensors will also work through walls, doors windows and also some metal enclosures. They are very sensitive.

[@mrdovie47]

I tried one of these in place of my door bell button and it went off every time the wind blew the bushes or a cat walked by. May try again with a trim pot on the sensitivity. I like these very much.

[@jujugohard4289]

How can I connect it to a harbor friend front door/driveway motion detector.

[@ernsta.vahlbruch6191]

Hi Dave. :Love your teaching skills. None of this stuff would be digestible without the way you present the material.
Re. Micrwave sensor: you mention that we need to keep similar sensors away from each other. Practically speaking, if being used to control crossing lights etc on an indoor railway layout, how far away would they need to be from each other? Could they be shielded somehow to create a somewhat directional sensing effect?
Thanks.

[@DaveBodnar]

Ernst - it is good to hear that you enjoy the videos - they are great fun to put together!
As to using multiple sensors I have not done any research or testing - I am sure that orientation and simple shielding would allow you to use several - perhaps you can give it a try and let us know what you find
dave

[@Blkfembrit]

Can you please show a video of how to connect a mini motor that will turn on when motion is detected? I am new to this and your help would be very much appreciated.

[@DaveBodnar]

Gloria - if you look at the relay example on this web page
www.trainelectronics.com/MicrowaveRADARSensor/index.htm
you will have what is needed - just use the relay to turn the motor on/off
dave

[@attackeagle]

Nice Dave. If those are like fairy lights, i “folded” them to space the lights closer together and shaped it into a spiral tree (similar to the 3 foot ones people put in their yards) in my HO Disney contemporary resort... then eventually put the spiral as a string of lights atop one of those tiny acrylic Xmas light up treess, with a green “breathing” led in it replacing the battery powered color changer. Gave a really nice effect appropriate to the Contemporary Resort though not prototypical.

[@DaveBodnar]

That is similar to what my buddy wants to do with his - the lights are quite nice and the tree effect very eye-catching
dave

[@Mikeywil0003]

Good to see you back Dave. I have always been curious about these sensors. I am familiar with using them for car alarms, in situations like a convertible. In that case, you can leave the top down, and have it activate an alarm when someone is within proximity, and it has a trim pot for sensitivity.

[@DaveBodnar]

It would be interesting to put on in a car and see how well it detects intruders - good idea!
dave

[@candrasniper3404]

Is there someone get the false triggering when using it with wifi transmitter?

[@Ray89135]

How can i connect a relay to turn on a 110 VAC device?

[@DaveBodnar]

Ray - this page shows how
www.trainelectronics.com/MicrowaveRADARSensor/index.htm
dave

[@How2Solutions]

I want to increase delay time

[@davidbodnar813]

You might have to use an Arduino or similar to increase the delay
dave

[@How2Solutions]

@@davidbodnar813
Is there possible if i add capacitor to increase delay time. i am using microwave sensor with direct relay

[@DaveBodnar]

@@How2Solutions a cap might do it ... it is worth a try

[@aldorusso8890]

Traduci in Italiano

[@RoyOfCranberry]

I picked up 25 of these from Bangood for $14.99 last September, with no datasheet. I found this one github.com/jdesbonnet/RCWL-0516/ from a guy who did some testing and included that info as well. The one I've tested so far of the bunch stays on for 2 seconds. I was able to detune its omni-directional sensitivty to some extent by wrapping a cardboard tube with some tin foil and sticking the board inside that to make it more directional. 4-28 volts is the power requirement per the above datasheet. I tested mine on a breadboard that had other stuff going on, including a 5 volt regulator. I set the power supply to 4 volts to test this board, forgetting the 4v was going into a 5v reg and it would not work like that. (I think the LED lit and it stayed on all the time) I'll have to set that up again and see how many volts it was really getting. It runs nicely off of a Raspberry Pi's 5v output.

[@DaveBodnar]

That is great information, Roy - thanks for posting
dave