Letterbox alarm / chime

poppellerant

Is there such as a thing as a letterbox alarm or chime that goes off like a doorbell when the letterbox is opened?

I don't have Alexa or other such devices that I want to connect the alarm to - just a little chime box that lets me know when the letterbox is being used.

George_Michael

depending on how far the flap for the letterbox moves and how accessible it is, you could always knock up your own system using something like this:
 V3 Microswitch SPDT 16A Long Lever Actuators Micro Switch Black UK | eBay
stuck onto the inside of the door and simply have it connected to a small battery and a buzzer such as this:
Buzzer Active Piezo A Sound Continuous 5V 9V 12V 24V Warning Bleeper Bulb | eBay

Depending on your skill with a soldering iron, it shouldn't take long to make something suitable. You could also fit it inside a very small plastic box the same colour as the inside of your door and if done that way it could be very neat and unobtrusive.

Emmia

This is a similar thread from 2013 with some suggestions...
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4769116/letter-box-alarm

Or if you have a flap inside, could you attach something like a loud cat collar bell to it that would jangle when the box opened?

poppellerant

Thank you both for your suggestions.  I like the idea of attaching a lever to my letterbox, which I hadn't though of before.  I could then somehow connect this to a wireless doorbell push button, letting me know when the letterbox is opened.

I don't want the alarm for security reasons.  Just to let me know when I might be getting post, as I don't always hear the letterbox clatter.

George_Michael

Another option would be something like this:
IR Beam Break Detector Kit - Velleman Kit | CPC UK (farnell.com)
with the transmitter and receiver on opposite sides of the letterbox opening.

Hasbeen

Op Put something like this at your front door. It will alert you of anyone approaching door?

1byone Wireless Home Security Driveway Alarm, 1 Plug-in Receiver and 1 PIR Motion Sensor Detector Weatherproof Alert System Kit, 36 Melodies to choose: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

maxsteam

I agree with the previous post. Rather than having a chime when the letterbox is used, would you not rather have a chime every time someone approaches the front door? There are many such products available for under £10 on eBay.

GDB2222

How about a sign asking the postman to ring the doorbell?

George_Michael

GDB2222 said:

How about a sign asking the postman to ring the doorbell?

That's not something that I would want happening.
Imagine, you are dozing in bed or having a shower and the doorbell rings so you rush out to answer it to find that it's only the delivery of a bit of junk mail. At least with a separate and distinctive letterbox alarm, you would know that it's a mail delivery and not someone standing at the door waiting to see you.

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

The best letterbox alarm on the market. 

He's  gorgeous - I love him!   At what is quite a driech time, all round, your dog is a real cheerer upper. Thanks for posting. x

Grenage

Couldn't you just put a bell on the letterbox?