Aeotec Range Extender 6

[pilotgeek]

Hi all,

 

I have Z-Wave locks (4 of em), and as expected they were somewhat unreliable.  I read reports that what I needed was sirens or doorbells.  Bit frankly I didn't want either.  I just wanted the repeater function.  So I took a chance and purchased a couple of Range Extender 6 units despite the bad reports knowing that I could send 'em back to Amazon if they didn't work.

 

And initially they didn't.  The thin, but sufficient, documentation for the Range Extenders indicated that they default to non-secure mode, and secure mode took what amounted to a double click.  That is where things got interesting, because try as I might, the ISY would always see the device after the first click.  The healing thing also didn't go well.  So here are instructions that worked for me:

1. plug in the extender
2. start the admin console and hover over the "add to Z-Wave" option
3. "double click" the button on the range extender
4. click the add button in the console

This should then add the extender as a secure device.  You can confirm that by the indicator on the extender glowing blue when it is done.  Also, all repeating causes it to go blue.  If you see green you did it wrong.  Exclude it and try again (there is some timing to the effort).

 

I did a heal after that, but I found it more effective to turn the locks on and off a few times.  After that it is been rock solid reliable.  And the extenders are cheaper than the siren or doorbell that you probably don't want/need.

 

Regards,

Neal

[cyberk]

Good news

 

My issue with the range extenders was long term reliability. Then again, I think I was using an older version, DSD37.

[Banichi]

I haven't been able to hook up a landscape lighting controller yet due to range issues. I got 2 extenders thinking that would be enough but it seems like I will need 3 or 4. I added them by just choosing the add z-wave option in admin console and then clicked the button. Lights are red but they query fine. I'm guessing that red is fine if I don't need secure mode?

 

I will give secure mode a shot and see how that goes.

[pilotgeek]

I haven't been able to hook up a landscape lighting controller yet due to range issues. I got 2 extenders thinking that would be enough but it seems like I will need 3 or 4. I added them by just choosing the add z-wave option in admin console and then clicked the button. Lights are red but they query fine. I'm guessing that red is fine if I don't need secure mode?

 

I will give secure mode a shot and see how that goes.

On the current version it will light up green for insecure (success) and blue for secure (success).  Red is fail.  It will go through a color range when it is not bound to a controller.

[KeviNH]

I almost regret adding Z-Wave given all the mesh headaches I keep running into, makes building out an Insteon deployment look like a cakewalk.

 

Looks like Range Extender 6 is the only actually effective dedicated range extender currently sold?

[lilyoyo1]

Personally I rather pay more for a device and get dual use out of it rather than go the cheaper route and simply have something taking up space for things to work

[Brian H]

Some folks opt for getting a Dual Band Module. Like an On/Off or Lamplinc. So they have the added feature for future use.

 

I have a Insteon Range Extender. It is actually a 2457D2 Lamplinc with the the dimming parts left out. Even has the same FCC ID as a full feature 2457D2 Lamplinc.

[KeviNH]

Some folks opt for getting a Dual Band Module. Like an On/Off or Lamplinc. So they have the added feature for future use.I have a Insteon Range Extender. It is actually a 2457D2 Lamplinc with the the dimming parts left out. Even has the same FCC ID as a full feature 2457D2 Lamplinc.

With Z-Wave, the various on/off or dimmer modules are, IMHO, not nearly as effective repeaters as these specific Aeon devices (Siren, doorbell, Range Extender 6).   I'm not sure if this is because the "Gen 5" hardware in the Aeotec is better, or if the extra metal parts in a on/off module shield the onboard antenna somewhat.

 

Even the original Aeon Labs Extender (DSD37) isn't particularly good at completing the mesh -- my Z-wave devices became reasonably reliable only after I installed a Aeotec Siren Gen5 (ZW080-A17).

[KeviNH]

Did we ever determine whether adding a Z-Wave plus repeater as "secure device" is actually necessary for it to work as a repeater for secure devices?

 

Building out the mesh for my local Makerspace;  as they are highly budget-conscious, purchased one Aeotec ZW117-A01 extender (didn't want to spend the extra money for a multi-purpose device like a siren, sensor, etc).    Might even find a use for the ability to change the LED color...

So far the range extender has helped quite a bit with the reliability of communications with our (notoriously finicky) CT32 thermostats.  A network heal now takes <30 seconds instead of the 1-2 minutes it took without the repeater.

 

 

[telljcl]

On 8/8/2017 at 9:03 PM, pilotgeek said:

Hi all,

 

I have Z-Wave locks (4 of em), and as expected they were somewhat unreliable.  I read reports that what I needed was sirens or doorbells.  Bit frankly I didn't want either.  I just wanted the repeater function.  So I took a chance and purchased a couple of Range Extender 6 units despite the bad reports knowing that I could send 'em back to Amazon if they didn't work.

 

And initially they didn't.  The thin, but sufficient, documentation for the Range Extenders indicated that they default to non-secure mode, and secure mode took what amounted to a double click.  That is where things got interesting, because try as I might, the ISY would always see the device after the first click.  The healing thing also didn't go well.  So here are instructions that worked for me:

1. plug in the extender
2. start the admin console and hover over the "add to Z-Wave" option
3. "double click" the button on the range extender
4. click the add button in the console

This should then add the extender as a secure device.  You can confirm that by the indicator on the extender glowing blue when it is done.  Also, all repeating causes it to go blue.  If you see green you did it wrong.  Exclude it and try again (there is some timing to the effort).

 

I did a heal after that, but I found it more effective to turn the locks on and off a few times.  After that it is been rock solid reliable.  And the extenders are cheaper than the siren or doorbell that you probably don't want/need.

 

Regards,

Neal

Great info - thanks!

Just put in one of these extenders (new to z-wave, not to ISY or Insteon though), and it added fine.

Was completely unaware that:

A- there WAS a secure mode

and..

B- That I will (apparently?) need to have this repeater in secure mode in order for it to function in a network with a door lock (which is why I'm having to get some Z-Wave devices at all)

Won't have the lock until tomorrow or the next day, but it is a Z-Wave plus Kwikset unit (needed due to space / configuration situation).

Is there any reason to NOT set the repeater to Secure Mode? Are there instances where that would be bad?

Trying to wrap my brain around all this Z-Wave nomenclature.

Thanks!

 

 

[pilotgeek]

I don't really know. All of my devices are secure. So I have no reason to do anything with the other mode. Good luck.