Z-Wave 3-way dimmer switch

[audiorecon]

I have an ISY994-IR. I have been using Insteon dimmers and switches. I have a 3-way hall circuit where the Insteon switches were configured in a scene to enable a 3-way circuit. I could hold either switch and it would dim the 3-way circuit. 

 

How do I do this with my new Z-Wave switches? You cannot configure them as controller/responders in scenes like the Insteon dimmer/switches. I read a bit and searched and didn't quite find what I was looking for. Here are my dimmers:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUCZA1C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I have heard issues with the Z-Wave devices not reporting their status. These switches do report their "on" level to the ISY as I see it when I click on the device. Does this mean they are reporting their status? How do I configure these switches in a 3-way circuit?

[asbril]

I have an ISY994-IR. I have been using Insteon dimmers and switches. I have a 3-way hall circuit where the Insteon switches were configured in a scene to enable a 3-way circuit. I could hold either switch and it would dim the 3-way circuit. 

 

How do I do this with my new Z-Wave switches? You cannot configure them as controller/responders in scenes like the Insteon dimmer/switches. I read a bit and searched and didn't quite find what I was looking for. Here are my dimmers:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUCZA1C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I have heard issues with the Z-Wave devices not reporting their status. These switches do report their "on" level to the ISY as I see it when I click on the device. Does this mean they are reporting their status? How do I configure these switches in a 3-way circuit?

I installed ZWave 3-way and 4-way switches in my home. If you use Homeseer switches then you will have instant status reporting. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8?url=search-alias%3Dtools&field-keywords=homeseer+hs-ws100&sprefix=homeseer%2Ctools%2C154&crid=1CICZIXEZH0L9

I have no experience with Insteon 3-way, but this is what I can say about ZWave 3-way :

Both the main and companion switches need Neutral.

Most regular 3-way switches have 2 Traveller wires, with ZWave you only need 1 traveller.

You need Line and Load at the main switch. If that is not the case, then you may use one of the 2 Traveller wires to bring it to the main switch.

My 3-ways are ON / OFF and I have no experience with 3-way Dim switches.

[audiorecon]

Thanks for the reply. I understand how to wire a 3 way switch and I could do it that way. Is there a way to do it via the ISY without traveler wires? With insteon I made one switch the scene commander and the other the responder. Is there a way to do that with Z-Wave?

[asbril]

Thanks for the reply. I understand how to wire a 3 way switch and I could do it that way. Is there a way to do it via the ISY without traveler wires? With insteon I made one switch the scene commander and the other the responder. Is there a way to do that with Z-Wave?

I think that you can write a program. Others on this forum may know better than I.

I did something slightly similar, as I have balcony lights that have no switch.  I put Zwave screw-in modules and then added a Homeseer switch in my kitchen without connecting a load. Then I created a program that switches ON the screw-in modules when the Homeseer is ON and OFF when OFF.

[danbutter]

There is also this thread with another option:

https://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/22843-3-way-circuit-with-only-one-smart-switch/?do=findComment&comment=223740

[stusviews]

Thanks for the reply. I understand how to wire a 3 way switch and I could do it that way. Is there a way to do it via the ISY without traveler wires? With insteon I made one switch the scene commander and the other the responder. Is there a way to do that with Z-Wave?

 

That's not correct. In an Insteon virtual 3-way configuration, both switches should be controllers. You cannot change the mode or the responder. you'll have to remove it from the scene and add is again as a controller.

 

BTW, an ISY controller is also automatically configured as as both a controller and as a responder.

[audiorecon]

Well I ended up just creating 2 programs per switch pair. One program was for "on" and one for "off". When unloaded (switch without the load) switch status was "off", then it turned the loaded switch off. When the unloaded switch was "on" it turned the loaded switch on. It works but I cannot hold the unloaded switch and have the loaded switch dim like the Insteon switches did. Anyway this works OK and even with GE dimmers that apperently do not report status. 

[stusviews]

A standard 3-way configuration also allows on one of a pair of 3-way switches be a dimmer. Somewhat limiting. Disconcerting in an automated home, IMO.

 

I do use Z-Wave devices in situations where they're an improvement over anything Insteon offers, but not anywhere an Insteon device is superior.

[Plunder]

Another option that is available uses a MiniMote to link 2 zwave switches together in a 3-way configuration.  I did this at my home and it works well although the primary switch is not a dimmer so I am not certain how well it works for dimming.  The accessory switch (switch with a zwave radio but no load wire) I used does allow dimming though.  See video below for directions on this.

 

https://youtu.be/rQOtmPT11Hw?t=100

[asbril]

As I have posted in another topic of this forum, earlier this week I installed an Inovell  switch in a 3-way setup.

This device has two important advantages : 

(1) Instead of using a Companion/Auxiliary switch, you can use the existing (plain old non Zwave) switch for 3-way or 4-way. All you need is 1 Traveler wire and Neutral.

(2) The switch itself is much cheaper than the GE/Jasco or Homeseer alternative and on top you do not need to buy the Companion/Auxiliary switch. Big savings.

 

In my specific situation, one of the wall switch boxes was too small to fit a Zwave switch because the wall is in concrete. Being able to use the plain old existing switch did the trick !