BONeil Posted November 29, 2017 Posted November 29, 2017 I have a detached garage that seems to be too far away from an externally placed Aeon z-wave repeater to receive a signal inside the garage. I do have ethernet in the garage however. Does anyone know of an ethernet to z-wave bridge I can put at both ends to carry the signals over? There was a thread elsewhere that the Smartthings hub could be used, but before I drop $100, wanted to know if it will passively repeat or if anyone has setup something similar with their ISY.
kohai Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 I've read on here of people using a second isy this way..... or am I imagining it? I think someone should create an ethernet z-wave repeater.
stusviews Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 I have a detached garage that seems to be too far away from an externally placed Aeon z-wave repeater to receive a signal inside the garage. I do have ethernet in the garage however. Does anyone know of an ethernet to z-wave bridge I can put at both ends to carry the signals over? There was a thread elsewhere that the Smartthings hub could be used, but before I drop $100, wanted to know if it will passively repeat or if anyone has setup something similar with their ISY. Which Aeotech repeater are you using? The DSD-37 is useless. I'm using a Gen 6 repeater in the detached garages with aluminum doors and a Gen 5 Siren in the house, placed as close to the garages as possible.
lilyoyo1 Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 I've read on here of people using a second isy this way..... or am I imagining it? I think someone should create an ethernet z-wave repeater. Zwave technology itself is RF based which would make someone simply making an ethernet device quite difficult the way the protocol is currently configured. If possible, there may not be enough of a need to make money off of developing such a device. You may be able to have a primary and secondary controller in 2 different locations but on the same network be able to talk to one another in order to bridge that way. I've never had to use a secondary controller with the ISY so I can't speak on the shortfalls of going that route however. Hopefully someone with more experience in doing so can chime in on whether or not doing so will allow you to accomplish your goals
KeviNH Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 Zwave technology itself is RF based which would make someone simply making an ethernet device quite difficult the way the protocol is currently configured. If possible, there may not be enough of a need to make money off of developing such a device. The protocol may be designed to be RF-only, but the existence of repeaters means that it's not technically impossible for something to act like a repeater but split across a large distance, bridged via TCP/IP and something like Z/IPgateway. I think the Homeseer Z-NET was originally marketed as offering this feature, but at $250 for a pair of them, not exactly economical, and I think it only works with HomeSeer Pro. In theory, the most minimal implementation would be under $50 for an ESP32, ACC-UZB3-E-BRG, and some glue software.
paulbates Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 How much is the Aeon zwave repeater? Could another be plugged in the garage, as close to the house as possible? Paul
stusviews Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 How much is the Aeon zwave repeater? Could another be plugged in the garage, as close to the house as possible? Paul See my post #3. The Aeotech Repeater is not costly at all.
paulbates Posted November 30, 2017 Posted November 30, 2017 See my post #3. The Aeotech Repeater is not costly at all. Sorry Stu, missed that post. I think this general technique for bridging is similar to insteon, get a repeater to the dead spots. Paul
danbutter Posted December 1, 2017 Posted December 1, 2017 The zwave plus ge outdoor module is pretty cheap at $32. I got one a few weeks back and it's working great for me so far. I have a detached garage about 75 feet from my house. The garage is aluminum siding with the old heavy solid wood doors. Inside the house I have a homeseer switch closest to the garage. This ge module is inside the garage. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06W9NWFM3/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1512139801&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=ge+outdoor+zwave&dpPl=1&dpID=31aYrvwKXfL&ref=plSrch I had also thought about a razberry board and making something, but the above is much cheaper.
KeviNH Posted December 1, 2017 Posted December 1, 2017 The zwave plus ge outdoor module is pretty cheap at $32. I got one a few weeks back and it's working great for me so far. I have a detached garage about 75 feet from my house. The garage is aluminum siding with the old heavy solid wood doors. Inside the house I have a homeseer switch closest to the garage. This ge module is inside the garage. That's a good price. I assume GE uses the Sigma Designs "500" chipset for their 14xxx Z-Wave+ products, so this should have good range and work well as a beaming/repeater. Sadly, GE calls this an "outdoor" module yet makes no promises for operation outside of +32 to 104°F. Compare that to Insteon's outdoor module rated for -4°F to +122°F.
danbutter Posted December 2, 2017 Posted December 2, 2017 Yes about the temps. I'm using it to repeat for a zwave lock so we'll see when the temps drop next week. I had issues with a module not working when it got down to the 20's before.
KeviNH Posted December 2, 2017 Posted December 2, 2017 I believe my most distant Z-Wave repeater isn't doing well in part because it is "shadowed" by the outlet box, haven't got around to moving it onto an extension cord. As the GE module hangs of a cord,it may be easier to position for optimal signal reception/transmission? Yes about the temps. I'm using it to repeat for a zwave lock so we'll see when the temps drop next week. I had issues with a module not working when it got down to the 20's before. Since you're only using the GE as a repeater, if it is flaky at low temps, you could plug a mini 4-8W "reptile heater" into the output.
danbutter Posted December 2, 2017 Posted December 2, 2017 I actually have a light over the garage plugged into it also, but the thought had occured to me to do something similar to keep the temp up a bit. I'll see how it does this winter and if it works I won't need to MacGyver anything.
stusviews Posted December 2, 2017 Posted December 2, 2017 There probably won't be much of a change in RF range if you move the outdoor module a few feet to place it in the garage which is likely at least a few degrees less cold, but won't get rained on, possibly avoiding being covered with ice nor will wind result in an even colder environment. In fact, any insulation you use to wrap the module should also help as long as it's non-metallic.
lilyoyo1 Posted December 2, 2017 Posted December 2, 2017 The protocol may be designed to be RF-only, but the existence of repeaters means that it's not technically impossible for something to act like a repeater but split across a large distance, bridged via TCP/IP and something like Z/IPgateway. I think the Homeseer Z-NET was originally marketed as offering this feature, but at $250 for a pair of them, not exactly economical, and I think it only works with HomeSeer Pro. In theory, the most minimal implementation would be under $50 for an ESP32, ACC-UZB3-E-BRG, and some glue software. I'm not saying its impossible. Only that a simply plug and play solution may not be readily available or worth pursuing due to cost. All that you have mentioned are secondary controller style options which are neither plug and play nor cost effective. The Znet isnt a repeater per se (what users consider a standard repeater) but a controller that can be configured as a secondary controller as well.
danbutter Posted December 3, 2017 Posted December 3, 2017 It occurs to me we aren't sure why the OP needs this. In my case I have a zwave lock so I need a repeater, but could insteon be uded here? The powerline covers distance pretty well in my experience.
KeviNH Posted December 3, 2017 Posted December 3, 2017 Might as well have a nice argument while we wait for OP to return and clarify his needs
lilyoyo1 Posted December 3, 2017 Posted December 3, 2017 Might as well have a nice argument while we wait for OP to return and clarify his needs Sounds good to me. Where's Teken?
lilyoyo1 Posted December 3, 2017 Posted December 3, 2017 It occurs to me we aren't sure why the OP needs this. In my case I have a zwave lock so I need a repeater, but could insteon be uded here? The powerline covers distance pretty well in my experience. Unfortunately no. Insteon and Zwave are 2 different protocols. While the ISY will allow them to talk to one another, the command to the lock would still need to come from a Zwave device. For simplicity, most would recommend the Aeotec chime or siren as a repeater.
stusviews Posted December 4, 2017 Posted December 4, 2017 That's a good price. I assume GE uses the Sigma Designs "500" chipset for their 14xxx Z-Wave+ products, so this should have good range and work well as a beaming/repeater. Sadly, GE calls this an "outdoor" module yet makes no promises for operation outside of +32 to 104°F. Compare that to Insteon's outdoor module rated for -4°F to +122°F. According to Aeotech and the Z-Wave Alliance, Gen 5 and Gen 6 are exclusively Aeon Labs products so I doubt any other brand has that chip, thus not the range. As I indicated in an earlier post, placing the Gen 6 repeater inside the garage will probably have little impact on the range. Using a different brand probably won't be nearly as effective.
G W Posted December 4, 2017 Posted December 4, 2017 According to Aeotech and the Z-Wave Alliance, Gen 5 and Gen 6 are exclusively Aeon Labs products so I doubt any other brand has that chip, thus not the range. As I indicated in an earlier post, placing the Gen 6 repeater inside the garage will probably have little impact on the range. Using a different brand probably won't be nearly as effective.Stu, Read this... http://www.vesternet.com/what-is-z-wave-plus
danbutter Posted December 4, 2017 Posted December 4, 2017 Unfortunately no. Insteon and Zwave are 2 different protocols. While the ISY will allow them to talk to one another, the command to the lock would still need to come from a Zwave device. For simplicity, most would recommend the Aeotec chime or siren as a repeater. I was simply asking because this is an ISY forum so the OP would be able to use insteon with the ISY.
lilyoyo1 Posted December 4, 2017 Posted December 4, 2017 I was simply asking because this is an ISY forum so the OP would be able to use insteon with the ISY. I thought you were asking if insteon could repeat the zwave signal which it cannot. The ISY just allows both to be used. Each still needs their own mesh network.
G W Posted December 4, 2017 Posted December 4, 2017 One or two of these might bridge the gap. Z-Wave Outdoor Plug w/Built-in Z-Wave Repeater | Combines a Z-Wave Outlet & Range Extender in 1 Module | On/Off Z-Wave Switch (Appliance) | SmartThings, Wink Compatible | Inovelli https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075NZXH6W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_g-yjAbDSWGBVR
stusviews Posted December 4, 2017 Posted December 4, 2017 Read this... http://www.vesternet.com/what-is-z-wave-plus Thanks, Gary.
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