Troubleshooting & Maintenance

Common issues, solutions, and maintenance procedures for Thingsee PRESENCE

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:

  1. Verify battery tab completely removed

    • Pull tab fully out
    • Check no plastic remains blocking contacts
  2. Check battery polarity

    • Verify +/- orientation matches markings
    • Ensure batteries seated properly
  3. Try new batteries

    • Use recommended: Varta Industrial Pro 1.5V AAA LR06
    • Test batteries with multimeter (should read >1.4V each)
  4. Tap sensor against palm

    • Firm tap may reset internal contacts
    • Wait 30 seconds for LED flash
  5. Remove and re-insert batteries

    • Wait 10 seconds between removal and reinsertion
    • Sensor should reboot and flash LED
  6. 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:

  1. Verify gateway operational

    • Check gateway LED blinking green
    • Confirm gateway has internet connectivity
    • Verify gateway reporting to cloud
  2. Confirm network configuration

    • Sensor and gateway on same Wirepas network ID
    • Network encryption keys match
    • Sensor provisioned with correct credentials
  3. Wait for first message

    • Default passive interval: 1 hour
    • First message may take up to 60+ minutes
    • Be patient during initial deployment
  4. Trigger movement

    • Wave hand in front of sensor
    • Forces active report (1 minute interval in mode 0)
    • Should receive message within 2-5 minutes
  5. Use Thingsee Toolbox app

    • Scan sensor QR code
    • Verify sensor is transmitting
    • Check Wirepas network status
  6. Check RSSI signal strength

    • Poor signal (<-85 dBm) delays messages
    • Move closer to gateway or add mesh nodes
    • Verify no metal obstructions
  7. 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:

  1. Verify installation height

    • Recommended: 2.4-2.7m for doorways
    • Too high = larger detection area = less accurate
    • Lower installation for better accuracy
  2. Use Visitor Counter Dome

    • Narrows detection beam
    • Reduces false triggers from adjacent areas
    • Essential for doorways wider than 1m
  3. Check doorway width

    • Optimal: <1.2m wide
    • Wider doorways reduce accuracy (side-by-side passages)
    • Consider multiple sensors for wide openings (>1.5m)
  4. Verify environmental conditions

    • Ambient temperature should be 15-25°C
    • Good thermal contrast (person vs environment)
    • No direct sunlight exposure
  5. Check for heat sources

    • Move sensor away from radiators
    • Avoid HVAC vents
    • Relocate if near heat-generating equipment
  6. 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
  7. Monitor for 24-48 hours

    • Single observations may be misleading
    • Review trends over multiple days
    • Compare to known traffic patterns
  8. 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:

  1. Increase threshold (reduce sensitivity)

    • Change from 150 to 800
    • Focuses detection on immediate desk area
    • Reduces triggers from walkways
  2. Install Occupancy Dome

    • Essential for under-desk installations
    • Dramatically reduces detection area
    • Prevents detection of adjacent spaces
  3. Reposition sensor

    • Move away from desk edge
    • Center under desk
    • Ensure 50mm clearance from objects
  4. Verify installation height

    • Should be 60-70cm from floor
    • Too high = larger detection area
  5. Use Mode 1 (Occupancy)

    • Provides binary occupied/vacant status
    • More suitable than movement counting
    • Reduces false indications
  6. Check for walkways

    • Ensure sensor not near high-traffic areas
    • Adjust position if people pass very close
    • May need physical barrier or different location
  7. 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:

  1. Increase report intervals

    • Change reportInterval from 60s to 300s
    • Increase passiveReportInterval to 7200s or higher
    • Reduces transmission frequency = longer battery life
  2. 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
  3. Disable LED

    • Set enableLed to 0
    • LED uses power even though impact is small
    • Should always be off for production
  4. Optimize gateway placement

    • Reduce number of mesh hops
    • Fewer hops = less power per transmission
    • Add gateway or mesh nodes if needed
  5. Minimize configuration changes

    • Avoid frequent updates
    • Each configuration change causes wake-up and transmission
    • Configure once and leave stable
  6. Check environment

    • Extreme cold (<0°C) reduces battery capacity
    • Warm sensor to room temperature
    • Consider heated enclosure for very cold environments
  7. Review network density

    • Too many sensors per gateway increases retransmissions
    • Typical limit: ~100 sensors per gateway
    • Add gateways if network saturated
  8. 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:

  1. 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)
  2. Verify operating mode

    • Query configuration via Service API
    • Ensure mode set correctly (0, 1, or 2)
    • Reconfigure if needed
  3. Increase sensitivity

    • Decrease threshold from current value
    • Try threshold = 60-100 for maximum sensitivity
    • Test with deliberate movement
  4. Check for obstructions

    • Remove objects between sensor and monitored area
    • Verify clear line of sight
    • Check dome properly installed (not blocking sensor)
  5. Verify environmental conditions

    • Ambient temp should differ from body temp (36-37°C)
    • Best performance: environment 15-25°C
    • Poor contrast reduces detection
  6. Test with deliberate movement

    • Wave hand directly under sensor
    • Use normal walking speed (not too slow)
    • Movement required (sensor doesn’t detect static presence)
  7. Check for sunlight exposure

    • Direct sunlight overwhelms PIR sensor
    • Relocate if in direct sun
    • Shield sensor from bright light sources
  8. 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:

  1. Verify sensor operational

    • Check sensor still reporting to cloud
    • Ensure not in extended sleep mode
    • Trigger movement to wake
  2. Check Wirepas endpoints

    • Must be 21/21 for sensor configuration
    • Verify in configuration tool or API
    • Other endpoints will be ignored
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Increase timeout

    • Don’t expect instant response
    • Typical: 5-30 seconds
    • Allow up to 60 seconds in dense networks
  6. Query current configuration

    • Send empty configuration message (only header)
    • Sensor replies with all current values
    • Verify what sensor actually has configured
  7. 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:

  1. Order replacement batteries

    • Varta Industrial Pro 1.5V AAA LR06 (recommended)
    • Order 2 per sensor
    • Purchase in bulk for multiple sensors
  2. Open sensor enclosure

    • Carefully separate housing
    • Avoid damaging internal components
  3. Remove depleted batteries

    • Note polarity (+/-) orientation
    • Dispose of old batteries properly
  4. Insert new batteries

    • Match polarity (+/- markings)
    • Ensure proper seating in contacts
    • Press firmly to secure
  5. Verify LED flash

    • Red LED should flash once
    • Indicates successful power-on
    • If no flash, check battery installation
  6. Wait for network rejoin

    • Sensor reboots automatically
    • Rejoins Wirepas network (2-5 minutes)
    • Should resume normal operation
  7. Verify messages in cloud

    • Check for messages within 5-10 minutes
    • Confirm configuration preserved
    • Review battery level (should show ~100%)

Battery Selection Guide:

Battery TypeSuitabilityNotes
Varta Industrial Pro AAA✅ RecommendedBest longevity, cold performance
High-quality alkaline AAA✅ AcceptableGood performance
Generic alkaline AAA⚠️ Not recommendedShorter life
Rechargeable NiMH❌ Not recommendedLower voltage (1.2V)

Cleaning

Surface Cleaning:

  1. Prepare cleaning materials

    • Lint-free dry cloth
    • For stubborn dirt: slightly damp cloth with water only
    • No chemicals, solvents, or abrasives
  2. Wipe sensor surface

    • Gently wipe with dry cloth
    • Remove dust and debris
    • Pay attention to PIR sensor opening
  3. 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:

  1. Sensor details

    • Serial number (from QR code or cloud)
    • Firmware version
    • Installation date
  2. Issue description

    • Specific symptoms
    • When issue started
    • Frequency of occurrence
  3. Environment details

    • Installation location and height
    • Ambient temperature
    • Use of domes
  4. Configuration

    • Current mode setting
    • Sensitivity (threshold)
    • Report intervals
  5. Recent changes

    • Configuration updates
    • Physical relocation
    • Environmental changes
  6. 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: