Where to Place Your Shipshape Sensors

Overview

Proper sensor placement is the key to getting the most out of your Shipshape monitoring system. When sensors are in the right spots, SAM can detect problems early, track equipment health accurately, and alert you before a small issue becomes an expensive repair.

This guide explains the difference between sensors and appliances in the Shipshape system, which sensor types go where, and practical tips for getting a clean, reliable installation.

Sensors vs. Appliances: A Quick Clarification

In the Shipshape app, you will see two terms used frequently:

• Appliance refers to the piece of equipment you are monitoring (your sump pump, dehumidifier, refrigerator, etc.)
• Sensor refers to the Shipshape device that does the monitoring (smart plug, leak detector, humidity/temperature sensor)

One appliance might have multiple sensors watching over it. For example, a sump pump might have both a smart power plug (to monitor if it is running) and a leak detector (to catch overflow). The more data SAM has, the smarter its monitoring becomes.

The Two Layers of Monitoring

For the best protection, Shipshape ideally monitors each appliance in two ways:

1. Power signature monitoring (via a Smart Power Plug) tracks whether the appliance is running, how much energy it uses, and whether its power patterns are normal.
2. Environmental monitoring (via a Leak Detector or Humidity/Temperature Sensor) tracks the conditions around the appliance, like moisture, humidity levels, and temperature.

Not every appliance needs both layers. Your service professional will recommend the right combination based on your home's specific setup.

Sensor Placement by Appliance

Here is a quick reference for the most common appliance and sensor pairings:

| Appliance | Smart Power Plug | Leak Detector | Humidity/Temperature | |-----------|:-:|:-:|:-:| | Dehumidifier | Yes | - | Yes | | Sump Pump | Yes | Yes | - | | Condensate Pump | Yes | Yes | - | | HVAC Air Handler | - | Yes | - | | Refrigerator | Yes | Yes | - | | Garbage Disposal | - | Yes | - | | Chest/Meat Freezer | Yes | Yes | - | | Master Bedroom | - | - | Yes |

Good to know: This table covers the most common configurations. Your home may have additional appliances worth monitoring. Talk to your service professional about what makes sense for your specific situation.

Smart Power Plug: Setup and Tips

The Smart Power Plug monitors an appliance's electrical usage in real time. SAM uses this data to learn normal patterns and detect anomalies, like a sump pump that suddenly runs twice as often or a dehumidifier drawing more power than usual.

How to Install

1. Unplug the appliance from the wall outlet
2. Plug the Smart Power Plug into the wall outlet
3. Plug the appliance into the Smart Power Plug

That is all there is to it. The plug sits between the wall and the appliance, silently tracking every watt.

Common Issues and Fixes

• The plug covers both outlets. Some smart plugs are wider than a standard plug and block the adjacent outlet. If this happens, use a 1-foot pigtail extension cord (a short, single-outlet extension) to give the plug a bit more space. Your service professional will likely have one on hand.

• The plug starts in the "off" position. When first plugged in, the smart plug may default to off. Look for a small button on the side of the plug and press it until you see a green rim or indicator light. This turns the outlet on and allows power to flow to your appliance.

• 220-volt appliances are not supported. Standard Shipshape smart plugs work with 120-volt appliances only. Large appliances that use a 220-volt outlet (like some dryers, ovens, or central AC condensers) cannot use a smart plug. These appliances are monitored through other sensor types.

• No power readings showing in the app. If the smart plug is installed but you are not seeing data, the sensor may be too far from the gateway. A range extender placed between the gateway and the sensor can solve this. See the Range Extender section below.

Leak Detector (Water Leak Pro 7): Setup and Tips

The Leak Detector is a small, battery-powered sensor that detects the presence of water. It works through two small metal prongs on its underside. When water bridges the gap between the prongs, the sensor triggers an immediate alert.

Where to Place It

• At the base of the appliance you are protecting, at the lowest point where water would naturally collect first
• On a flat, hard surface like concrete, tile, or a drain pan
• Near but not directly under the appliance. You need to be able to access it for battery replacement
• Metal prongs facing down, making contact with the floor surface

Placement Examples

• Sump pump: On the floor next to the sump pit, at the point where overflow would first appear
• HVAC air handler: In the drain pan beneath the unit, or on the floor directly below the condensate drain line
• Refrigerator: On the floor behind or beside the unit, near the water supply line connection
• Garbage disposal: Under the sink, on the cabinet floor beneath the disposal unit
• Freezer: On the floor next to or behind the unit, where melt water would pool if the freezer lost power

Important Dos and Don'ts

• Do test the sensor after placing it by touching a damp finger to both metal prongs. You should see the app register the event.
• Do make sure the prongs are touching the surface. If the sensor is sitting on a raised lip or uneven surface, the prongs may not make contact with water.
• Do not submerge the sensor in water. It is designed to detect water presence, not to operate underwater.
• Do not place it somewhere that gets routinely wet (like directly in a shower pan or active drain). You will get false alerts.

Good to know: In some setups, a single leak detector can cover two nearby appliances. For example, if your sump pump and dehumidifier are both in the same crawlspace, one well-placed leak detector near the lowest point can catch water from either source.

Humidity/Temperature Sensor: Setup and Tips

The Humidity/Temperature Sensor provides SAM with ongoing environmental readings for a room or area. This is especially valuable in spaces prone to moisture problems (basements, crawlspaces) or temperature-sensitive areas (bedrooms, server closets).

Where to Place It

• Mount on a wall or shelf at approximately mid-height in the room (3 to 5 feet off the floor)
• Away from direct heat sources like heating vents, radiators, sunny windows, or electronics that generate warmth. These will skew the temperature readings.
• Away from direct airflow from HVAC vents, fans, or open windows, which can affect humidity readings
• In the area you care about most. For a bedroom, place it on an interior wall near where you sleep. For a basement, place it in the area most prone to dampness.

Mounting Options

• Adhesive strip (included) for clean, damage-free wall mounting
• Shelf placement is perfectly fine. Set it on a bookshelf or ledge where it will not get knocked around
• Avoid enclosed spaces like inside a closed cabinet or drawer, which will not reflect the room's actual conditions

Range Extender: When and Where You Need One

If any of your sensors are far from the gateway, or if there are thick walls, floors, or metal obstacles between the sensor and gateway, you may need a range extender.

Signs You Need a Range Extender

• A sensor is installed but not showing data in the app
• Data from a sensor is intermittent or delayed
• The sensor is more than two rooms or one floor away from the gateway

Where to Place It

• Halfway between the gateway and the farthest sensor. The range extender acts as a relay, receiving the signal from the distant sensor and passing it along to the gateway.
• Plug it into a standard wall outlet. The range extender needs constant power, so it plugs directly into an outlet. Choose an outlet in a central hallway, stairwell, or landing.
• Avoid placing it behind large metal objects or inside metal enclosures, which block wireless signals.

Tip: If you have sensors on multiple floors, placing the range extender on the floor between the gateway and the farthest sensors often works best. For example, if the gateway is on the first floor and sensors are in the basement, put the range extender near the basement stairway.

General Sensor Placement Best Practices

Here are a few universal tips that apply to all Shipshape sensor types:

• Label your sensors. Before installation, use a small sticker or piece of colored tape to mark which sensor goes with which appliance. This saves time during installation and makes future maintenance easier.
• Take a photo after placement. Snap a quick picture of each sensor in its installed location. If you ever need to troubleshoot or replace a sensor, you will know exactly where it is.
• Keep sensors accessible. Place sensors where you (or your service professional) can reach them for battery changes and maintenance without moving heavy appliances.
• Test after installation. Once all sensors are in place, check the Shipshape app to confirm each one is reporting data. If any sensor is not showing up, it may need a range extender or a slight repositioning.

What Happens After Installation

Once your sensors are placed and reporting data, SAM begins learning your home's normal patterns. During the first few days, SAM establishes baselines for how each appliance operates, what normal humidity and temperature levels look like, and what your home's typical power usage patterns are.

After this learning period, SAM actively monitors for anything unusual. You will see sensor data reflected in your Home Health Score and receive alerts through the app if SAM detects something that needs your attention.

For more on how SAM uses sensor data, see Shipshape Smart Monitoring Hardware and Understanding Your Home Health Score.

Need Help?

If you have questions about where to place sensors in your specific home, your service professional is your best resource. They can assess your home's layout, identify the highest-risk areas, and recommend the ideal sensor configuration.

You can also reach our support team at (512) 221-2584 or chat with SAM in the app for quick guidance.