DIGOO DG-R8S 433MHZ battery operated temperature and humidity sensor with embedded display

Compatible devices
34

How do you find the range on the R8S? Mine must be broken because I only got 0.5 meters. I am goin to modify it with another transmitter. Hope that helps


35

I use R8H as both indoor and outdoor sensors. R8S is more spottable for indoors and I’m hot generally happy with my ones as they keep changing their IDs every time I replace batteries - that’s MADNESS.

Pilight @ OMG kind of works, but currently it’s in a way not the best choice because:

  1. RF module supports more devices than Pilight
  2. There is no proper documentation on how to SEND commands via Pilight so you still need RF
  3. For some devices (including R8S) Pilight support is incomplete - for example, I cannot get “low battery” status, it’s always ok even if the batteries are nearly empty.
  4. The range of R8S isn’t fantastic, it’s ok
 but sometimes my receiver doesn’t receive signal from some of them, and it’s only few meters away - I usually end up replacing their batteries. However, currently my RFLink receiver stopped receiving 2 out of 3 R8S’s signals, but my Pilight receiver got them all - weird
 0.5 meters isn’t right, how’re going to modify it?
36

I have hacked a Sonoff RF bridge to incorporate Pilight/OMG;
The intent was to use the Digoo R8S;
Unfortunately all R8S units I have ordered so far have failing humidity sensors
They work for a few seconds then return “LL” for humidity which is either out of range humidity (which is not the case here) or failure. If I blow some humid air they eventually show high values but return to “LL” in a matter of seconds.
Unfortunate as temperature works well and communicates easily with Pilight/OMG.

Anyone had the same issue? I don’t mind ordering other units as they are really cheap but don’t want to waste time if this is a design issue and they all fail; if so and you found another working wireless temp/hum sensor, let me know brand/model/source.

The other ones I could find are BT (not supported by Sonoff bridge)

thx

37

To use BT you just need a barebone ESP32 and you will be able to get all these sensors data:

They are reliable and you have more choice compared to 433mhz temperature and humidity sensors.

38

Thanks for the reply. Issue with BT seems to be range (or is it?). I read in a few places that range can be around 10-12ft which is way below my requirements. I have 3 floors to cover and dont want to deploy a receiver for each emitter which would essentially defeat the purpose . One Sonoff bridge+R8S works well. Let me know if i am mistaken and what i should expect as far as BT range and through wall/floors performance.

Meanwhile i have disassembled the R8S and the 2wire humidity sensor is really easy to replace so will order new sensors and give it a try.

Thx

39

Here is the results from my tests without obstacles:

40

Sounds good, thx for the reply

Can you get a functional signal in the 8meters range? (RSSI -84,-93)

Just to be sure I get this right, can you confirm this is accurate:

purchase hardware (PS: how can I confirm The HM10/11 firmware >= v601 ?)

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32864722159.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.3080634c0jNOL5&algo_pvid=5e0ca91b-2abe-4142-a42e-05d65076767f&algo_expid=5e0ca91b-2abe-4142-a42e-05d65076767f-0&btsid=0ab50a5715849818496521379e6b7a&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

assemble :

image
image2139×1344 276 KB

Upload binaries/Install OMG as per documentation.

Verify Broker receives data.

Thx!

41

Yes you can, regarding hardware the easier is to buy a barebone ESP32, links there:

You don’t need an HM10 if you buy an ESP32.
The HM10 is just used to add the bluetooth function to an ESP8266 or an arduino.

42

So I can just feed power/ground (or micro usb) to this unit and install OMG?

43

This one being even cheaper, can you confirm if it’s equivalent to the above/recommended unit?

44

No I canno’t confirm that another model is equivalent without testing it.

45

Thank you, much appreciated.
will go with the suggested model,

46

I have three, all of them do work as expected so

I’d try to get my money back in your situation :wink:

Generally, I don’t like R8S - the huge issue with them is change of id when you replace batteries. So one needs a) power them up form a way plug (and take into account it’s 2.4V!) or b) change id values on the receiving side every time the batteries are replaced. PITA

For, example, R8H don’t do that and their batteries last for longer.
Or the money you spend on R8S can buy you almost everything you need to build a ESP based multi sensor.

47

Thanks for the reply,
however from reading the threads, seems R8H is not supported under Pilight or Portisch ? or is it?

I did further testing and it seems the sensors are working but highly inaccurate;
under cool temperatures they behave almost correctly, but when the temperature is higher, humidity drops under 10%
 which is not the case as tested on various other sensors.
I have ordered a replacement sensor, will see how it behaves.

Essentially I am looking for cheap wireless temp/humidity sensors;
I have also ordered the Xiaomi bluetooth model with a ESP-32 to connect via OMG. will see if it’s more accurate/reliable.

Thx

48

My R8H work only with RFLink, no OMG support so far :
Regarding inaccuracy - mine work fine (have 7 atm)

49

I thought you could only have 3 R8H’s, since you can only select 3 channels. My 3 work fine with rflink, but if you can use more, I’ll order some more.

50

I use 7 sensors set with the same channel. Perhaps it has some meaning when you use them with a Digoo weather station but in my tests it had no impact on the results. So believe you can use as many R8Hs as you like with RFLink.

51

Thanks. I ordered some more.

52

Just a quick note to confirm what @AhmadK had already highlighted:
the R8S will change ID every time it is restarted which makes it a PITA for automation purposes.
Battery state doesn’t work, batteries don’t last long and humidity values are spotty


Just installed OMG over ESP32/BLE and using Xiaomi sensors. So far so good. Seems like a better solution.

Also ordered a R8H as a potential outdoor solution but hoping it will be supported over OMG/Pilight eventually as I already have enough bridges (OMG/Pilight, Tasmota/Portisch, OMG/ESP32
) don’t want to deploy a 4th one


Cheers,

53

Yes, I couldn’t get Low battery message, it’s always OK.
Battery life is definitely shorter than of R8H (and the range is definitely not better at least in my case).
I have 5 of R8S and temp/humidity values are ok, didn’t notice any significant issues so maybe you have a dodgy one.