Cheapest way to send an email when mailbox is opened?

[Blanky]

Amazon sells mailbox alerts. When the mailbox is opened an alarm inside the house goes off. I've used one before and it worked very well.

What I'd like--not because I need it, but because I want it--is a way to have emails sent. It's just an idle interest, so I don't want to spend a significant amount of money on it. If it's of any relevance I have an ip cam in the house with an optional alarm-input and email abilities, so maybe a generic alarm output module with a light sensor or something for the mail box...?

UPDATE: seems a decent option is a z-wave hub for $100 and a motion detector battery powered for $50. That's about 3X what i want to spend for this, but I'll keep it in mind as it would be nice to have sensor feedback on other events, too, like doors.

 

[dabuddha]

hire a midget

 

[Ken g6]

Something like this?

http://www.instructables.com/id/15-minutes-SMS-door-entry-alarm/

 

[deadlyapp]

Sounds like a good task for a raspberry pi. Just need a simple trigger (could be momentary switch or similar) wired back to the pi and have it setup on the network with an email client to send an email.

 

[TwiceOver]

Is it attached to your house? I would think the biggest problem is power source if your mailbox is out in front of your house on a post.

 

[Markbnj]

Point a webcam at the mailbox, and then post a mechanical turk job for people to watch the webcam and send you an email when someone puts something in the box.

 

[rh71]

I have an outdoor wifi cam at my front door. When the mailman comes, it sends me a motion alert email (with pics).

 

[HN]

maybe back these guys?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1033096239/mr-postman-the-smart-secure-wi-fi-enabled-mailbox

 

[TwiceOver]

maybe back these guys?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1033096239/mr-postman-the-smart-secure-wi-fi-enabled-mailbox

Pretty neat. But note to other kickstarter people, cue cards above or below the camera, never to the side.

 

[Ruptga]

Something like this?

http://www.instructables.com/id/15-minutes-SMS-door-entry-alarm/

I clicked that and now I'm on another NSA list. Thanks.

 

[Blanky]

maybe back these guys?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1033096239/mr-postman-the-smart-secure-wi-fi-enabled-mailbox

Yep, something like that.

I have a camera on the mailbox but the mailbox is directly in front of the road, so it's impossible to get a notification for movement by it without getting cars also.

It's not attached to the house, and is too far for a reasonable wifi signal (50-60 feet outdoors, wifi won't be reliable because I've tested around my property).

If I could get a mailbox alert with a battery powered receiver (they all have battery powered transmitters) I could mount it with its flashing light in the camera's view and put motion detection on that, but I don't think such a receiver exists.

This is actually a service USPS could implement with GPS on their cars if you want to sign up for it, at least to know when it's driven by. I think people would sign up for it.