IKEA PARASOLL Sensor Mod for External Power

This is a modification to the IKEA PARASOLL door/window sensor so that it can be powered using an external power supply, for example your phone charger. The design also aims more flexibility.

My specific use case: To automatically cut off power to a 230 V appliance if sensor detects that conditions aren't met. If the sensor is offline, it must always cut off power. For higher reliability I want to keep it powered all the time, without worrying about batteries. A failsafe design to some extent.

If changing batteries now and then is not your cup of tea, this might be the solution you're looking for. With a buck-down converter and an old phone charger you won't have to touch it again.

You can even extract the rubber seal and the screw from the old battery bay cover and put them on the printed model, but not strictly necessary. I cannot guarantee the IP44 rating anymore after this mod.

How to use:

1. Print this model. (I recommend PETG)
2. Unbend a paperclip (0.8 mm diameter) and cut in half. Solder two thin wires.
3. Run paperclip parts in the fake battery's terminals and cut the excess. bend each with pliers. Bend the positive side outwards the battery bay, and the negative side inwards the battery bay. (please see the pictures)
4. In the other end, solder a 5V to 1.5V buck-down converter. Closer to the sensor is better, because of the low voltage.
5. If you solder a USB 2 port, you can reuse your old phone charger. :)

My print settings (Creality Ender 3 S1 Pro):

• Speed: 60 mm/s
• Initial layer speed: 30 mm/s
• Brim speed: 20 mm/s
• Nozzle: 0.4 mm
• Layer thickness: 0.2 mm
• Infill: 10% cubic
• Support: Tree, touching build plate
• Adhesion type: Brim

PETG-specific settings:

• Retraction speed: 45 mm/s
• Z-hop retraction on.
• Print temperature: 230 degrees
• Bed temperature initial layer: 75 degrees
• Bed temperature: 70 degrees
• Fan speed: 20%
• Max. fan speed: 100%

Print time with above settings: 1 hour 7 min (with both pieces in one go)

Filament: 9 g (2.87 m)

This is my first PETG print. In the pictures you see two prints, black and white. The black print is PETG, and the white print is PLA. I prefer PETG for practical use because of the possible weather exposure.

I'm a newbie to 3D printing, thus if you have any suggestions with the print settings let me know in the comments. I appreciate that.

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Update: 06 Feb 2025

V2 (variant 2) model file added. This contains a 25.9 mm x 13.9 mm compartment for a buck converter, so that you can use a 5V supply.