Had a customer rip into me about a sensor mount and I actually learned something

Guy called me out last month for mounting a window sensor right on the frame instead of a few inches away. Said I was making it easy to bypass with a magnet from the outside. I brushed him off at first but then tested it the next day, sure enough a cheap fridge magnet tripped it. Now I always offset those sensors by at least 2 inches on every install, even if the customer doesn't ask. Has anyone else had a homeowner point out a flaw that ended up improving your work?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_max5d ago

That fridge magnet test you did is golden, I've been telling guys in my local crew about that for weeks now. The thing is, most of us learn the basics from a manual or a 2-day cert and never think past that. But once a homeowner points out something that actually works, it sticks with you way harder than any training video. I even had an old electrician yell at me for bundling my sensor wires too tight with power cables, said it would cause interference on the long run. I tested it later with a spare sensor and a long cord, sure enough the signal got choppy past like 30 feet. Now I always keep a half inch gap or twist em together separate. Its wild how the end users sometimes see stuff we just overlook because we are moving so fast.

the_brian5d ago

Take that interference lesson and build it into every new install, saves headaches down the road.