Troubleshooting & Maintenance
Installation Issues
LED Not Flashing on Battery Installation
Symptoms:
- Red LED doesn’t flash when battery tab removed
- No indication of power
Possible Causes:
- Battery tab not fully removed
- Batteries inserted incorrectly
- Batteries depleted or defective
- Sensor malfunction
Solutions:
Verify battery tab completely removed
- Pull tab fully out
- Check no plastic remains blocking contacts
Check battery polarity
- Verify +/- orientation matches markings
- Ensure batteries seated properly
Try new batteries
- Use recommended: Varta Industrial Pro 1.5V AAA LR06
- Test batteries with multimeter (should read >1.4V each)
Tap sensor against palm
- Firm tap may reset internal contacts
- Wait 30 seconds for LED flash
Remove and re-insert batteries
- Wait 10 seconds between removal and reinsertion
- Sensor should reboot and flash LED
Wait for network connection
- First flash may take up to 5 minutes
- Sensor joins network before some LED indications
If still no response: Contact support@haltian.com with sensor serial number
No Messages in Cloud
Symptoms:
- Sensor not appearing in cloud platform
- No data received after installation
- Gateway shows no device connection
Possible Causes:
- Gateway not operational
- Sensor not joined to network
- Network ID mismatch
- Default report interval not elapsed
- Sensor sleeping/waiting for first interval
Solutions:
Verify gateway operational
- Check gateway LED blinking green
- Confirm gateway has internet connectivity
- Verify gateway reporting to cloud
Confirm network configuration
- Sensor and gateway on same Wirepas network ID
- Network encryption keys match
- Sensor provisioned with correct credentials
Wait for first message
- Default passive interval: 1 hour
- First message may take up to 60+ minutes
- Be patient during initial deployment
Trigger movement
- Wave hand in front of sensor
- Forces active report (1 minute interval in mode 0)
- Should receive message within 2-5 minutes
Use Thingsee Toolbox app
- Scan sensor QR code
- Verify sensor is transmitting
- Check Wirepas network status
Check RSSI signal strength
- Poor signal (<-85 dBm) delays messages
- Move closer to gateway or add mesh nodes
- Verify no metal obstructions
Verify sensor provisioning
- Contact support if sensor not pre-provisioned
- May need cloud activation
If messages still not received after 2 hours: Contact support@haltian.com
Accuracy Issues
Inaccurate Counting
Symptoms:
- Count significantly different from observed traffic
- Consistent undercounting or overcounting
- Erratic count values
Possible Causes:
- Installation height too high
- People walking side-by-side
- Doorway too wide
- Temperature contrast insufficient
- Nearby heat sources
- Sensitivity incorrectly configured
- Detection area too large or too small
Solutions:
Verify installation height
- Recommended: 2.4-2.7m for doorways
- Too high = larger detection area = less accurate
- Lower installation for better accuracy
Use Visitor Counter Dome
- Narrows detection beam
- Reduces false triggers from adjacent areas
- Essential for doorways wider than 1m
Check doorway width
- Optimal: <1.2m wide
- Wider doorways reduce accuracy (side-by-side passages)
- Consider multiple sensors for wide openings (>1.5m)
Verify environmental conditions
- Ambient temperature should be 15-25°C
- Good thermal contrast (person vs environment)
- No direct sunlight exposure
Check for heat sources
- Move sensor away from radiators
- Avoid HVAC vents
- Relocate if near heat-generating equipment
Adjust sensitivity
- Decrease threshold (e.g., from 150 to 100) if missing detections
- Increase threshold (e.g., from 150 to 400) if too many false triggers
- Test during normal traffic hours
Monitor for 24-48 hours
- Single observations may be misleading
- Review trends over multiple days
- Compare to known traffic patterns
Understand limitations
- Maximum 34 detections per minute
- Side-by-side passages may count as one
- Very slow movement may not trigger
- Not suitable for exact counting in high-traffic areas
Expected Accuracy: 85-95% for single-file traffic in standard doorways
False Occupancy Triggers (Desk Monitoring)
Symptoms:
- Desk shows occupied when vacant
- Constant occupied status
- Triggers from people walking nearby
Possible Causes:
- Sensitivity too high
- Detection area too wide
- People walking nearby triggering sensor
- No Occupancy Dome installed
- Temperature variations from HVAC
Solutions:
Increase threshold (reduce sensitivity)
- Change from 150 to 800
- Focuses detection on immediate desk area
- Reduces triggers from walkways
Install Occupancy Dome
- Essential for under-desk installations
- Dramatically reduces detection area
- Prevents detection of adjacent spaces
Reposition sensor
- Move away from desk edge
- Center under desk
- Ensure 50mm clearance from objects
Verify installation height
- Should be 60-70cm from floor
- Too high = larger detection area
Use Mode 1 (Occupancy)
- Provides binary occupied/vacant status
- More suitable than movement counting
- Reduces false indications
Check for walkways
- Ensure sensor not near high-traffic areas
- Adjust position if people pass very close
- May need physical barrier or different location
Monitor HVAC effects
- Temperature drafts can cause false triggers
- Shield sensor from direct air flow
- Adjust placement if near vents
With correct setup: 95%+ accuracy for typical desk usage
Performance Issues
Short Battery Life
Symptoms:
- Battery depletion faster than expected
- Low battery alerts before 2 years
- Frequent battery replacements needed
Possible Causes:
- Very short report intervals
- High movement frequency
- LED enabled in production
- Dense network (many hops to gateway)
- Frequent configuration changes
- Extreme temperature environments
Solutions:
Increase report intervals
- Change reportInterval from 60s to 300s
- Increase passiveReportInterval to 7200s or higher
- Reduces transmission frequency = longer battery life
Use event-based modes
- Mode 2 (Event-based movement count) instead of Mode 0
- Mode 1 (Occupancy) for binary status only
- These modes reduce reporting when idle
Disable LED
- Set enableLed to 0
- LED uses power even though impact is small
- Should always be off for production
Optimize gateway placement
- Reduce number of mesh hops
- Fewer hops = less power per transmission
- Add gateway or mesh nodes if needed
Minimize configuration changes
- Avoid frequent updates
- Each configuration change causes wake-up and transmission
- Configure once and leave stable
Check environment
- Extreme cold (<0°C) reduces battery capacity
- Warm sensor to room temperature
- Consider heated enclosure for very cold environments
Review network density
- Too many sensors per gateway increases retransmissions
- Typical limit: ~100 sensors per gateway
- Add gateways if network saturated
Use recommended batteries
- Varta Industrial Pro 1.5V AAA LR06 only
- Generic batteries have shorter life
- Never use rechargeable NiMH (lower voltage)
Expected battery life with optimizations: 3-4+ years
Sensor Not Detecting Movement
Symptoms:
- Sensor reports 0 movements despite traffic
- moveCount always 0
- No occupancy state changes
Possible Causes:
- Batteries depleted
- Sensor in wrong mode
- Sensitivity too low
- Obstruction in detection path
- Temperature contrast insufficient
- Sensor malfunction
Solutions:
Check battery level
- Query battery status via cloud API
- Replace if voltage <2.6V total
- Use multimeter to verify (should read >1.3V per battery)
Verify operating mode
- Query configuration via Service API
- Ensure mode set correctly (0, 1, or 2)
- Reconfigure if needed
Increase sensitivity
- Decrease threshold from current value
- Try threshold = 60-100 for maximum sensitivity
- Test with deliberate movement
Check for obstructions
- Remove objects between sensor and monitored area
- Verify clear line of sight
- Check dome properly installed (not blocking sensor)
Verify environmental conditions
- Ambient temp should differ from body temp (36-37°C)
- Best performance: environment 15-25°C
- Poor contrast reduces detection
Test with deliberate movement
- Wave hand directly under sensor
- Use normal walking speed (not too slow)
- Movement required (sensor doesn’t detect static presence)
Check for sunlight exposure
- Direct sunlight overwhelms PIR sensor
- Relocate if in direct sun
- Shield sensor from bright light sources
Verify sensor not damaged
- Check for physical damage
- Ensure dome not cracked
- LED should still flash when enabled
If still no detection: Contact support@haltian.com for replacement
Configuration Issues
Configuration Not Applied
Symptoms:
- Sensor response shows old values
- Behavior doesn’t change after configuration
- No response to configuration message
Possible Causes:
- Sensor not joined to network
- Incorrect Wirepas endpoints
- CBOR encoding error
- Invalid parameter values
- Network congestion
- Configuration message not received
Solutions:
Verify sensor operational
- Check sensor still reporting to cloud
- Ensure not in extended sleep mode
- Trigger movement to wake
Check Wirepas endpoints
- Must be 21/21 for sensor configuration
- Verify in configuration tool or API
- Other endpoints will be ignored
Validate parameter ranges
- Review valid ranges in Configuration Reference
- Out-of-range values may be rejected or clamped
- Use query message to see current values
Retry during low-traffic period
- Network congestion can delay or drop messages
- Try configuration at night or off-peak
- Allow up to 60 seconds for response
Increase timeout
- Don’t expect instant response
- Typical: 5-30 seconds
- Allow up to 60 seconds in dense networks
Query current configuration
- Send empty configuration message (only header)
- Sensor replies with all current values
- Verify what sensor actually has configured
Check transactionId
- Include transactionId in request
- Verify response has same transactionId
- Helps match request to response
If configuration still fails: Contact support@haltian.com
Parameter Value Clamped
Symptoms:
- Response shows different value than requested
- Threshold 50 requested, 60 returned
- Configuration partially applied
Cause: Value outside valid range; sensor clamped to nearest valid value
Solution: This is expected behavior. Sensor enforces valid ranges:
- threshold: 60-1100 (values clamped to this range)
- enableLed: 0-1 (values clamped to 0 or 1)
- mode: 0-2 (values clamped to this range)
- passiveReportInterval: 0-86400
Review Configuration Reference for valid ranges and adjust request accordingly.
Not an error - sensor protecting itself from invalid values.
Maintenance
Battery Replacement
When to Replace:
- Battery level alerts from cloud (typically ~10% remaining)
- Sensor stops reporting messages
- LED no longer flashes when enabled
- Typically every 2-4 years depending on usage
Replacement Procedure:
Order replacement batteries
- Varta Industrial Pro 1.5V AAA LR06 (recommended)
- Order 2 per sensor
- Purchase in bulk for multiple sensors
Open sensor enclosure
- Carefully separate housing
- Avoid damaging internal components
Remove depleted batteries
- Note polarity (+/-) orientation
- Dispose of old batteries properly
Insert new batteries
- Match polarity (+/- markings)
- Ensure proper seating in contacts
- Press firmly to secure
Verify LED flash
- Red LED should flash once
- Indicates successful power-on
- If no flash, check battery installation
Wait for network rejoin
- Sensor reboots automatically
- Rejoins Wirepas network (2-5 minutes)
- Should resume normal operation
Verify messages in cloud
- Check for messages within 5-10 minutes
- Confirm configuration preserved
- Review battery level (should show ~100%)
Battery Selection Guide:
| Battery Type | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Varta Industrial Pro AAA | ✅ Recommended | Best longevity, cold performance |
| High-quality alkaline AAA | ✅ Acceptable | Good performance |
| Generic alkaline AAA | ⚠️ Not recommended | Shorter life |
| Rechargeable NiMH | ❌ Not recommended | Lower voltage (1.2V) |
Cleaning
Surface Cleaning:
Prepare cleaning materials
- Lint-free dry cloth
- For stubborn dirt: slightly damp cloth with water only
- No chemicals, solvents, or abrasives
Wipe sensor surface
- Gently wipe with dry cloth
- Remove dust and debris
- Pay attention to PIR sensor opening
Dry if damp cloth used
- Wipe dry immediately
- Do not allow moisture in battery compartment
- Ensure completely dry before leaving
Cleaning Frequency:
- As needed when visibly dirty
- Quarterly in dusty environments
- More frequent in high-traffic areas
- After construction or renovation work
Dome Maintenance:
- Check for cracks or damage
- Clean with dry cloth
- Verify secure attachment
- Replace if damaged (order through sales)
Inspection Schedule
Monthly Checks:
- Verify sensor still reporting to cloud
- Check for physical damage
- Ensure dome (if present) secure
- Review battery level in cloud
Quarterly Checks:
- Clean sensor surface
- Verify LED still functional (if enabled)
- Check mounting adhesion
- Review accuracy vs. known traffic patterns
- Inspect dome for cracks
Annual Checks:
- Full functionality test
- Review placement effectiveness
- Consider sensitivity adjustment for seasonal changes
- Verify network signal strength (RSSI)
- Review battery life predictions
- Plan battery replacement if <20% remaining
Diagnostic Tools
Cloud Monitoring
Key Metrics to Monitor:
- Message frequency - Verify expected intervals
- Battery level - Track depletion rate
- RSSI - Signal strength to gateway
- Hop count - Number of mesh hops
- Message delivery rate - Should be >99%
- Detection patterns - Review for anomalies
Alerts to Configure:
- Battery level < 20%
- No messages for >24 hours
- RSSI < -85 dBm
- Excessive false triggers (depends on use case)
Thingsee Toolbox App
Features:
- Scan sensor QR code for identification
- View real-time sensor status
- Check Wirepas network connectivity
- Verify transmission activity
- Basic diagnostic information
Use Cases:
- Initial installation verification
- Troubleshooting connection issues
- Confirming sensor identity
- Field diagnostics without cloud access
Service API Queries
Useful Queries:
Get current configuration:
query DeviceConfig($serial: String!) {
devices(where: {identifiers: {vendorSerial: {_eq: $serial}}}) {
configuration
}
}
Get recent messages:
query RecentMessages($serial: String!, $since: timestamptz!) {
measurements(
where: {
device: {identifiers: {vendorSerial: {_eq: $serial}}}
timestamp: {_gte: $since}
}
order_by: {timestamp: desc}
) {
timestamp
data
}
}
Get battery status:
query BatteryStatus($serial: String!) {
devices(where: {identifiers: {vendorSerial: {_eq: $serial}}}) {
latestMeasurement {
batteryLevel
batteryVoltage
}
}
}
Getting Support
Before Contacting Support
Gather this information:
Sensor details
- Serial number (from QR code or cloud)
- Firmware version
- Installation date
Issue description
- Specific symptoms
- When issue started
- Frequency of occurrence
Environment details
- Installation location and height
- Ambient temperature
- Use of domes
Configuration
- Current mode setting
- Sensitivity (threshold)
- Report intervals
Recent changes
- Configuration updates
- Physical relocation
- Environmental changes
Diagnostic data
- Recent messages from cloud
- Battery level
- RSSI signal strength
- Error messages
Contact Information
Technical Support:
- Email: support@haltian.com
- Subject: Include sensor serial number
- Attachments: Screenshots, configuration exports
Response Time:
- Typically within 1 business day
- Critical issues: specify urgency in subject
Related Resources:
Related Documentation
- Installation Guide - Installation procedures
- Operation Guide - Operating modes and messages
- Configuration Reference - All configuration parameters
- Technical Specifications - Complete specs
- CBOR to JSON Conversion - Message decoding