To install the Smart Home in a Box (SHiB) hardware, please follow the following steps. Thes set of instructions is for a generic 3-bedroom apartment. Depending on the number of rooms and areas in your house, you will receive a modified version with your box.
- Connecting the SHiB Computer
- Installing the Relays
- Installing Infrared Sensors
- Installing Temperature Sensors
- Installing Front Door Sensor
1. Connecting the SHiB Computer
- Find a location in your home for the mini computer near an Internet connection and where it will not be jostled.
2. Installing the Relays
The relays help the sensors communicate with the computer. These should be spread around the home in different rooms at a distance from each other. They should NOT go in kitchens or bathrooms to avoid water sources.
- Plug each relay into an available outlet. Hold for 30 seconds.
- Peel the backing off the adhesive strip (Part F), already attached, press the strip to the wall, correct side up.
Please note that the adhesive strips are designed to stick only to dry wall or painted dry wall.
3. Installing Infrared Sensors
Before installing the sensors:
Open each motion sensor unit and install a 9v battery (Part G). To open the unit, rotate the lid clockwise and pull open. When you first place the battery in the sensor it will show green and red lights. After the initial install, the device will not emit any lights.
Please note that sensors and their lids both have matching labels, make sure these match as you put them back together.
3.1: Installing Bedroom Motion Sensors
The bedroom sensors are grouped by color. You will decide which bedroom is A, B and C.For each bedroom (A, B and C) install motion detectors (3 sensors each) using the following instructions as a guide.
- Bedroom A/B/C Bed: Locate the “Bedroom Bed” sensor and place it on the ceiling above the bed. Position the sensor so it will be over the resident’s chest when they are sleeping.
- Bedroom A/B/C Door: Locate the “Bedroom Door” sensor and place it on the ceiling just inside the bedroom doorway. Center the sensor above the door and about 3” from the wall over the door.
- Bedroom A/B/C Area: Locate the sensor labeled “Bedroom Area”. The function of an area sensor is to detect any movement in the whole room. The area sensor should be placed on the ceiling in a location that allows monitoring of the entire room but NOT motion outside the room. Find a place where it cannot see out the door to other rooms or hallways. If you are unsure of a location, go to the doorway and find a spot of ceiling you cannot see from this position.
3.2: Installing Bathroom Motion Sensors
You will need to install three bathroom sensors, excluding the temperature sensor.
Sensors should not go in/above the bath/shower itself. The humidity and heat will likely cause them to fall.
- Bathroom Toilet: Place one sensor on the ceiling above the toilet seat.
- Bathroom Sink: Place one sensor on the ceiling above and in front of the sink (where a person would stand when using the sink). If there are two side by side sinks, stand between the two and place the sensor over your head.
- Bathroom Area: Use one sensor as an area sensor to monitor the room and as to not see motion outside the room, as described in the Bedroom Area description.
3.3: Installing Front and Back Door Motion Sensors
You will need to install two motion sensors for the front and back door.
- Front and Back Door: Place the sensor on the ceiling on the inside of the home’s two primary exterior doors. Position them just like you did for the bedrooms, center the sensor over the door (on the ceiling) and 3” back from the door’s wall.
3.4: Installing Living Room Motion Sensors
You will have two sensors to install in the living room.
- Living Room Chair: Place one sensor on the ceiling above the most commonly used chair seat (used for reading, watching television, etc.).
- Living Room Area: This sensor should be situated similar to how the area sensors were placed in the bedroom. Position the sensor on the ceiling where it will see as much movement inside the living room as possible, while not seeing motion outside the living room. If you are unsure of a location, go to the doorway and find a spot you cannot see from this position..
3.5: Installing Kitchen Sensors
There will be five sensors to be installed in the kitchen, excluding temperature sensors.
- Kitchen Sink: Place one sensor on the ceiling in front of the kitchen sink, above where a person will stand when they are using the sink.
- Kitchen Stove: Place one sensor on the ceiling in front of the range top, above where a person will stand when they are cooking on the stovetop/range.
- Kitchen Refrigerator: Place one inside the refrigerator. Situate it on the top left of the back wall so the sensor faces out the door. Wipe down the surface of the refrigerator with a towel before affixing the sensor, as dampness ruins the adhesive. If the sensor fails to attach, set it in the back of the refrigerator on the shelf behind any items.
- Kitchen Dining Chair: Place one sensor on the ceiling above the chair where a resident usually sits when they eat. This may be above a chair at the dining room table or another popular eating location. If the location is the same as the commonly-used chair in the living room step above, then position this sensor above another popular location in the room.
- Kitchen Area: Use one sensor as an area sensor. Similar to how the area sensors were placed in the bedroom, position the sensor on the ceiling where it will see as much movement inside the kitchen as possible while not seeing motion outside the kitchen.
3.6: Installing Hallway Sensors
There will be 3 sensors to be installed in the hallway.
- Hallway: Place the hallway sensors on the ceiling in commonly-used hallways. Position the sensors at intersections of halls, if possible. For example, if there is a “T” junction as in the picture then place the sensor in the middle of the T. If there is an “L”-shaped intersection then place the sensor at the corner of the L.
4. Installing Temperature Sensors
- Install two AA batteries (Part H) in each temperature sensor. To do this, you will need to pry the unit open with the screwdriver and install the batteries as shown in the picture. Close the unit before installing..
- Kitchen Temperature Sensor: Place one temperature sensor on the ceiling above the stove / range in the kitchen next to the “Kitchen Stove” sensor.
- Bathroom Temperature Sensor: Place one temperature sensor in the bathroom just outside the most often used bathtub or shower. DO NOT place the sensor on the ceiling or inside the shower. Instead, if possible, position on the wall near the shower head, about 6” away from the edge of the shower and 6” lower than the ceiling.
4. Installing Hallway Sensors
- Install two AA batteries (Part H) in the door sensor unit, like you did for the temperature sensors.
- The door sensor will be placed on the main exterior door of your house (the front door).
- Place the larger part of the door sensor on the door frame above the front door, near the door handle end (away from the door’s hinges) and as close to the door as possible without the unit being hit when the door opens and closes.
- Place the magnet part of the door sensor on the door itself, directly below the larger part of the sensor and as close to the top of the door as possible without hitting the door frame. Perform the red light test to ensure that sensor detects when the door is opened and closed by opening and closing the door a few times.
- The door sensor can be tested at any time, and this is a good way to ensure that the sensor parts are lined up correctly. To test the sensor, press and hold the button on the front of the door sensor for 3 seconds. When the green light on one side blinks, let go. At this point the sensor can be tested for 2 minutes. This means that the sensor will blink red when the door opens and closes.
Suggestion: Open the door slightly when placing the door sensor to ensure you have the sensor placed high enough to avoid being struck by the door.