In my previous article, I tested a simple binary rain detector from Tuya. While this device works like it should from a performance perspective, weirdly enough, it was not waterproof. An outdoor rain sensor without waterproofing is about as useful as an umbrella with holes. To make matters worse, the manufacturer’s solution was to include a strip of waterproof tape so users could seal the sensor themselves.
I wrapped up that article by suggesting a few alternative devices of the same type, models that were actually designed for outdoor use. These models are waterproof, UV-coated, and in this case, powered by the sun. I ordered all of them for testing, and the first arrived a few days ago.
In this review, I’m sharing my experience with the Tuya Zigbee solar rain sensor, sold as model XFY on AliExpress and Domadoo. It features a built-in rechargeable battery, an IP65 weatherproof rating, and a small solar panel designed to keep it running continuously without battery replacements.
What’s inside this solar-powered rain detector?
This Tuya solar rain detector ships in an unbranded generic white box, containing the device itself, a couple of screws for installation and a user manual. You get that cheap AliExpress vibe when opening this package. There’s nothing special about it.
The solar panel is installed on the top half of this sensor. It is completely covered with some kind of epoxy or silicone coating to prevent water and dust from getting in. Underneath it lies the rain-sensing plate, which is sealed from the inside instead.
On the back, a mounting sticker comes pre-applied. However, it’s smarter to use the included screws, as this makes the sensor easier to remove and re-pair if needed. Using the sticker means it will be ruined once detached. The pairing button and indicator LED are also on the backside, positioned at the bottom and protected by a waterproof plastic cover.
I removed the four screws holding the plate together and opened the device. This sensor uses a 1200mAh 1.2V battery for power, which is constantly charged by the small solar panel on the front. Just like most Tuya battery-powered devices, it relies on the Tuya ZTU [Datasheet] module, also found in the RB-SRAIN01 and the Tuya Non-waterproof rain sensor.
A semi-soft rubber gasket runs around the frame, protecting the internals from water and dust ingress. When reassembling the device, I could feel the screws compressing the seal, giving the impression that the two halves were tightly joined to create a solid waterproof barrier.
Looking closer beneath the main PCB, I found a layer of silicone sealant protecting the rain detector plate from the inside. This prevents water and dust from entering through the front, where the plate is mounted. Overall, it appears to be a solid waterproofing effort, though whether it truly meets its IP65 rating still remains to be seen.
Home Assistant Integration
This solar-powered rain detector is supported out of the box in both Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA in Home Assistant. To pair it, you need to hold the reset button on the back for 5 seconds until the LED starts blinking. Once it starts the pairing process, the LED will stop blinking briefly after being discovered. But, to ensure it pairs successfully, press the button once every 2-3 seconds so it sends a payload and finishes the onboarding process.
Zigbee2MQTT
Once paired to my coordinator in Zigbee2MQTT, this device is identified as model TS0207 with manufacturer ID _TZ3000_mqiev3jk. If you haven’t updated your Zigbee2MQTT instance in a while, the device will be labelled as a generic water leak sensor instead. It operates as an End Device in a mesh network and exposes the following entities:
The binary water leak sensor changes state immediately whenever the plate is shorted. It exposes a battery percentage sensor, a battery low alarm and a tamper switch, which isn’t really part of this device. It’s recycled from another converter, this device does not have a tamper switch.
ZHA
Similarly, once paired to ZHA, it is identified with the same unique IDs and exposed the same binary water leak sensor and battery level percentage sensor. As this is a relatively new device, no custom quirk is applied to handle and label the endpoints better. In reality, it’s not needed because this is a very simple binary rain detector.
Testing the waterproof seal
I decided I would put the IP65 rating on this device to the test. According to the IEC 60529 standard, the “6” means the enclosure is completely dust-tight, offering full protection against solid particles. The “5” indicates resistance to water jets projected by a 6.3 mm nozzle from any direction, though it does not mean the device is submersible like higher IP67 or IP68 ratings.
I mounted the sensor on my office door, next to the SwitchBot Keypad Vision, completely exposed. I simply poured water with a bottle from all sides for a good minute before the sticker gave out and it fell. So yes, the sticker is definitely a failure point and you are better off using the screws for installation.
The sensor, however, survived and there wasn’t any water inside the case after I dismantled it again. The rubber gasket did its job, keeping water out and protecting the internals. Now, whether this will stand the test of time remains to be seen. I will leave it mounted like this and update the review after a couple of months, and after we actually get some real rain.
Final Thoughts
This Tuya XFY Rain Detector turned out to be a solid device. It does what it should without issues, communicating reliably in my testing mesh. If you are installing this far from your coordinator, make sure you pair through an adjacent router to prevent connection drops. This detector is way better (well, obviously) than the ridiculous Tuya non-waterproof rain sensor.
It’s worth noting that the detection plate is very sensitive. It reacts to touch or even the slightest drop of water, immediately triggering the sensor and sending a payload. The same applies in reverse: when the plate is no longer shorted (no contact with a conductor), it instantly sends a clear payload. For this reason, it may be wise to add a short delay to your automations, as light drizzles could otherwise result in false negative triggers.
Here’s where you can get it:
Alternative links: AliExpress 2, AliExpress 3, AliExpress 4.
thank you for starting a series of reviews on these type of sensors! already looking forward to your review of the other ones.
I’m already prodding the other one with a multimeter, stay tuned!
unfortunately, mine dont have the rubber gasket.
Lame, how is that even possible? You will have to seal it with something, otherwise water’s gonna drip in and ruin it