top of page

Do It Yourself!

Ready to get started on this DIY project? We'll walk you through it.

TIP! As you walk through each resource, some images are a "GALLERY" click to view more images.

Preconditions & Disclaimer

Some considerations before you get started:

  1. You have at least one stock and functioning ecobee sensor that takes CR2032 batteries.

  2. You have enough electrical knowledge to work safely.

  3. You have sufficient dexterity enough to complete the project which involves soldering, drilling, and other fine motor skills.

  4. You have accepted that the content and/or instructions on this page MAY be inaccurate or your MAY make mistakes that render your sensor damaged beyond repair.

Finding the Right DC Wall Adapter

(!) IMPORTANT (!)

​

You will need to get yourself the RIGHT wall adapter first!

​

You NEED to find one that is:

  1. Of the correct plug type and input voltage for your region

  2. MUST be regulated (RMS)

  3. DC 3V output

  4. Current: <=200mA (probably much lower, but this is what we tested with)


See our products for an example reference.

Gather your Ecobee Hardware

Not only do you need your sensor, but also the back-plate or mount for secure wiring and a clean look.

​

For each sensor, need to decide how you are going to mount them in each room.  Are you going to mount them on the wall or set on a flat-top surface? Compare your goals with the length of the wall adapter cord.

Gather Your Tools

Get the right tools for the job:

  • soldering iron & solder

  • hot glue gun and glue

  • tiny screwdriver (or other pokey device)

  • drill & small generic bit

  • electrical tape or heat shrink + heat gun

  • wire cutters or basic plyers

  • multi-meter (OPTIONAL)

READY TO START

All ready? Let's get started.

Cut and Prepare Wires

  1. Snip the end off the wall adapter leaving the LONG LENGTH attached to the wall-plug-in block.

  2. Split, trim and clean the ends of the two wires.

  3. Using a multi-meter, test and note the polarity of the DC wall adapter.  (In our images with the reference adapter, +'ve had the white stripe)  If you don't have a multi-meter, you could just gamble and try connecting the wires temporarily to the sensor and see if it powers on.

  4. If this is your first time through, we strongly advise that you test the wall adapter with the sensor by temporarily affixing the wires to the sensor metal contacts and verify the sensor powers up.  

Insert Wire Through Backplate or Mount

  1. Drill a small hole in the middle for the wire to go through.

  2. Insert the wire BACK TO FRONT such that the metal end can go into the sensor.

Soldering

Here we get started with the most difficult portion of the DIY, soldering.

​

Initial Tips:

  • Know your positive (+) and negative (-). Look at the battery terminals, and compare with the ecobee slot terminals.

  • +'v = SIDE BOUNCERS (battery UP)

  • -'v = DOUBLE-NIBBLE (battery BOTTOM)

  • (!) WARNING: soldering heat builds up fast!  Work quickly or suffer burning/killing your ecobee sensor.

​

Start with the Positive +:

  1. Bend one of the side bouncers ever so gently inward.

  2. Bend the +'ve wire 90 degrees (hard elbow), and with with tiny screwdriver slip the wire in behind one of the side-bouncers.

  3. Loop the wire up and over itself and secure it as much as possible.  Ideally it doesn't move if you let go or even jostle it a little bit.

  4. Now solder the wire to the bouncer as much as possible, ideally "fully surrounded" for a good joint.

​

Next do the Negative -:

  1. Gently lift up the double-nibble just a bit (enough to slip wire under).

  2. Insert wire beneath the nibble and bend wire around with tiny screwdriver.

  3. Depress the double-nibble back down to try to hold down the wire.

  4. Solder a nice and easy blob unifying nibble & wire.

Test & Close It Up

Almost done!


You should test it now to be sure the connections are solid and you did not burn the sensor components while soldering. (Moment of Truth!)

​

To secure the connection and reduce risk of breaking the solder joints:

  1. Gently add some wire slack INTO the empty compartment of the sensor where the battery would normally fill.  (1-2cm of wire is enough)

  2. Hot glue the wire loops in there and around the joints as needed.

  3. Close up the back plate or mount.

  4. Hot glue the REAR of the sensor where the wire enters to ensure any pull/force on the wire would not tug on the inside.

Admire Your Work! All Done.

Enjoy!

Do It Yourself (DIY): Resources
bottom of page