magvallo Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I'm new to zwave and apologize if this has already been covered. I installed a new alarm module which allows zwave control. Works great except all of my devices are insteon. I love the alarm interface. Reading on the forum I believe my only option is to install a zwave add on module to my isy and use a zwave plug in or relay to trigger a program. I'm I correct? Is there a better way to bridge insteon to zwave? The Napco zremote module is a zwave controller but has no insteon capability. Thanks for any assistance. -dc
Teken Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Can you clarify what exactly you want to do? Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
magvallo Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 Yes, the alarm panel interface allows for zwave contol. You can link zwave products such as lights to the alarm zwave controller and then contol them from the panel touch screen. I would like to control some insteon light contol functions such as "all lights on/off" or turn on hallway lights when the alarm is activated. Because I don't have any zwave devices I haven't been able to test the contol. I was thinking I could install one zwave plug in and the add zwave to the isy. Then write a program to turn all light on if the z wave plug was turned on via the alarm panel interface. I might be totally on the wrong track here. In the end I would like to use the alarm interface to contol some of my insteon devices.
Teken Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 What exactly can you do with this Z-Wave plugin you're taking about? Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
magvallo Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 Sorry like I said I might be totally wrong with my thinking here. I thought if I add a zwave device to my isy via the zwave isy module I would be able to monitor the status of the zwave device via a program. I would use a zwave device such as a "plug in" lamp controller. If I turned on the device using the alarm interface the isy would see the status change and trigger the program. As I said before I just want to know if I can use the zwave controller built into the alarm to contol some of my insteon devices.
Teken Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Well you can't use your alarm panel to control Insteon. Plus you can only have one controller at the moment. Another issue is it depends upon what Z-Wave devices you purchase because not all of them support instant status. The ISY also does not support the latest v.5 chip sets. Normally when another controller issues a command the other controller would not know without some kind of middle ware. Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
magvallo Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 So at this time there is no middle ware to allow the isy to know what commands the alarm zwave controller is sending? Thank you for your time and assistance. -dc
elvisimprsntr Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 When I started my HA endeavor 8+ years ago, I ripped out my builders quality Napco GEM and installed an Elk M1 for its tight integration with the ISY. Couldn't be happier.
Teken Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 Well that depends if your alarm panel has some kind of public API which allows two way communication to your sty system. But you mentioned about a plugin before? Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
magvallo Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 The plug in was the lamp controller I just wanted to use it as a slave but I didn't know about the instant status issues. No public api. I guess I have to rethink using the Napco as an HA interface using the insteon devices. I was considering the Elk M1 but trying not to have to start all over with a new alarm system at this point. It's a shame the Napco would have worked like a charm if I was using zwave devices.
DennisC Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 You might be able to get an all on/all off by using a relay controlled by your alarm system and connecting an IO Link to the relay.
Teken Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 The plug in was the lamp controller I just wanted to use it as a slave but I didn't know about the instant status issues. No public api. I guess I have to rethink using the Napco as an HA interface using the insteon devices. I was considering the Elk M1 but trying not to have to start all over with a new alarm system at this point. It's a shame the Napco would have worked like a charm if I was using zwave devices. Well I guess if this is something you're really interested in you could purchase one of the smarten it relay boards. You could then attach them to the dry contacts on the alarm panel for (some) Insteon interaction. But that doesn't address light switches, plugin modules etc. Ideals are peaceful - History is violent
magvallo Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 Thanks Dennis, yes I could use one of my programable outputs on the panel. I was seeing if there was a way to use the touch screen panel. But....you just gave me an idea. What if I connect a zwave relay to a IO link? I have seen a few zwave relays on amazon. Using a relay to control my garage door was my original idea, but to an IO link may do the trick.
magvallo Posted July 1, 2015 Author Posted July 1, 2015 Yup, I'm going to try that. I'm just looking to control 2 or 3 programs so I don't think it cost too much. A little Frankensteinish. Can't believe there isn't anything out there to bridge the protocols. Not going to be able to get around to this for a while but I'll report back. If anyone else has any ideas please let me know. -dc
fryfrog Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I'm going to be using an Elk M1 too, the ISY integration is the main driver. It'll be nice to use door and window status from the Elk in the ISY.
io_guy Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I'm going to be using an Elk M1 too, the ISY integration is the main driver. It'll be nice to use door and window status from the Elk in the ISY.If you don't mind running a Raspberry Pi you could buy a DSC PowerSeries for a fraction of the price.
DennisC Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 I'm going to be using an Elk M1 too, the ISY integration is the main driver. It'll be nice to use door and window status from the Elk in the ISY. I use the Elk M1 Gold panel and it does intergrate with the ISY well. It handles everything I have requested of it.
fryfrog Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 If you don't mind running a Raspberry Pi you could buy a DSC PowerSeries for a fraction of the price. I've already got a couple of Pi 2, so that wouldn't be a big deal. I'll poke around and read about the DSC PowerSeries. At one house, I'm replacing an existing system so have a lot of wired runs already... but the other will be new. Is there anything specific about the DSC you like? Someplace to read about it you'd recommend? The tight integration with the ISY is one of the reasons I like the Elk, but they also have a really good reputation and have been around for awhile. And it seems to be pretty flexible. My *one* complaint so far is that I'm having trouble finding an installer who doesn't want me to sign a monitoring contract!
Guitartexan Posted July 1, 2015 Posted July 1, 2015 So use z-wave devices. It won't cost more than a new Elk panel unless your install is extensive and/or you're using Leviton. Sent from my SM-T230NU using Tapatalk
Michel Kohanim Posted July 2, 2015 Posted July 2, 2015 magvallo, You can try making napco a secondary controller. This will not fix the issue of not getting status from devices that don't report it but it may help you bridge the systems. With kind regards, Michel
magvallo Posted July 2, 2015 Author Posted July 2, 2015 Hello Michel Would you be able to elaborate on how making the Napco a secondary controller would bridge the systems. I just ordered the isy zwave module and have not experimented with as of yet. It has become clear to me that I need a better understanding of how z wave works. I don't even understand the concept of a secondary controller or know how it will bridge the systems. Also, can you recommend good reference material or web sites to build a beginners knowledge? I love the isy you guys have done a great job with it. It's the only reason I grew my HA system using insteon products. Is there any chance of you guys working with Napco? I know they are working with control 4. Zwave is all new to me and I think it will play a big role in the future due to its acceptance in the consumer market. Thanks for the assistance and keep up the great work. - DC
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