Z-wave repeater that works in cold weather?

[danbutter]

I asked about this briefly at a prior time as the plugin modules I was using: Dragon Tech PA100   http://a.co/2pSCQ0V  failed when it fell below freezing.

 

I need the repeater for a lock in a detached building.

I bought a GE zwave outdoor module to use for this purpose, but alas it doesn't seem to have the beaming capability.  ISY can see it with all doors closed and it is about 3 feet from the lock.  Lock also works with the overhead garage door open, but not otherwise.

 

So my question is does anyone know of an outdoor rated Z-wave module that CAN do the beaming so it can connect my lock?  I found that GE was going to make a Z-wave Plus version of the outdoor module, but then they canceled it.  So far that is the only outdoor z-wave product I have found for purchase.

 

Thanks

[stusviews]

All electronics are subject to fail at very low temperatures. That's why there are heated enclosures for some outdoor devices such as cameras. Some devices may function way below the stated minimum temperature, but the only way to know is to try. Fortunately, most devices recover from low temperatures, unlike permanently fatal high temperatures.

 

If you do use a heated enclosure, then don't use metal.

[vjk]

So my question is does anyone know of an outdoor rated Z-wave module that CAN do the beaming so it can connect my lock?  I found that GE was going to make a Z-wave Plus version of the outdoor module, but then they canceled it.  So far that is the only outdoor z-wave product I have found for purchase.

 

Thanks

If you bought the one below, then the zwave alliance claims that it does support beaming.

 

https://www.amazon.com/GE-Wireless-Lighting-Control-12720/dp/B0013V8K3O

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwiY1eWPjcLSAhXpx4MKHUveAT4QFgggMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fproducts.z-wavealliance.org%2Fproducts%2F1194%2Fpics&usg=AFQjCNEnhxqAiPjTDcv2dbRJSAOeNhoMOw&bvm=bv.148747831,d.amc

 

I've used the module when  temperature was in negative F without any issues.  I cannot confirm the alliance claim, though, because my locks do not use the module as a re-transmitter.

[danbutter]

That is the one (or looks like the one) that I have.

It doesn't seem to work though.

I took the lock to the ISY to enroll and then took it outside and installed it.

Did multiple heals and can always talk to the outdoor module, but never the lock.

[stusviews]

I've used the module when  temperature was in negative F without any issues.  I cannot confirm the alliance claim, though, because my locks do not use the module as a re-transmitter.

 

That's a somewhat meaningless statement. There's a tremendous difference between a few degrees below zero and down to the teens below zero (or even colder).

[danbutter]

So yeah that spec sheet is for the exact one I have right down to the version number.

I wonder if there is some alternate way to enroll it in the ISY so it will perform the beaming.

I don't recall doing anything differently with my other zwave stuff.

I'll mess around with it again and see how it goes.

Funny thing is that it gives the operating temp of 32 to 104 F on the box!

Sigh. Oh well. I'll figure something out.

 

Oh and to Stu's point... I seem to recall it was mid to low 20s when the plugin started failing last year.

[vjk]

So yeah that spec sheet is for the exact one I have right down to the version number.

I wonder if there is some alternate way to enroll it in the ISY so it will perform the beaming.

 

You do not need to do anything special for a beam capable retransmitter.  The Zwave transport layer in the retransmitter should automatically detect if beaming is needed before retransmitting the original packet.

 

If you have an Aeon stick, it's pretty easy to see if the device is actually capable of beaming. Here's a screenshot of a Leviton module features using the Zensys tool with an aeon  stick in my tiny test zwave network (it looks like I cannot attach the screenshot).

 

Unfortunately, my outdoors GE module is in a different network so I cannot verify its capabilities. I am not sure if the info is exposed in ISY.  To make quite sure whether the GE module is actually used for packet delivery and performs beaming, one needs an RF sniffer.