greensha Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 I've been trying to add three Trane XR524 thermostats to my ISY. I bought two Aeon Labs DSD 37 extenders that I was able to add to the ISY with out any issues. I had some trouble adding the thermostats, but after following advice on the forum (excluding the thermostat before adding) I was able to get two thermostats added. I could query and control the thermostats with no problems. However, I was unable to add the third thermostat. The repeater was about 4ft (just over a 1m) from the thermostat with a direct line of sight. I thought I might be able to add the thermostat to a Nexia Controller and then transfer the thermostat to the ISY. I bought the Nexia and had no problem in adding the thermostat to that. I did not sign up for the Nexia online service. I then tried to transfer the information off the Nexia onto the ISY. At this point (and I can't remember the exact sequence of menu options and button presses), I ended up with a contoller and one of the Aeon extenders listed in the ISY. I tried to switch controllers (again, don't remember the exact sequence) and all the ISY devices disappeared from the ISY. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get anything back. At this point, I thought I would just start over and add the devices back to the ISY. Long stort short, what I ever I try (every combination of excluding, adding, factory resetting the ISY Z-wave dongle, synching, rebooting the ISY) I can't get any of the z-wave devices to show up, I can't even get the Nexia to add or exclude the devices. Any ideas? Thanks!
dbuss Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 I've been trying to add three Trane XR524 thermostats to my ISY. I bought two Aeon Labs DSD 37 extenders that I was able to add to the ISY with out any issues. I had some trouble adding the thermostats, but after following advice on the forum (excluding the thermostat before adding) I was able to get two thermostats added. I could query and control the thermostats with no problems. However, I was unable to add the third thermostat. The repeater was about 4ft (just over a 1m) from the thermostat with a direct line of sight. I thought I might be able to add the thermostat to a Nexia Controller and then transfer the thermostat to the ISY. I bought the Nexia and had no problem in adding the thermostat to that. I did not sign up for the Nexia online service. I then tried to transfer the information off the Nexia onto the ISY. At this point (and I can't remember the exact sequence of menu options and button presses), I ended up with a contoller and one of the Aeon extenders listed in the ISY. I tried to switch controllers (again, don't remember the exact sequence) and all the ISY devices disappeared from the ISY. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get anything back. At this point, I thought I would just start over and add the devices back to the ISY. Long stort short, what I ever I try (every combination of excluding, adding, factory resetting the ISY Z-wave dongle, synching, rebooting the ISY) I can't get any of the z-wave devices to show up, I can't even get the Nexia to add or exclude the devices. Any ideas? Thanks! I would factory reset the Z-wave devices. Then attempt to exclude them for the ISY. Once excluded attempt to add them to the ISY. For the thermostat that you have been having difficult adding to the ISY, could you move it to one of the locations that other two were added? Then move it back to the location you want it. Perform a network heal as devices are added.
MWareman Posted February 1, 2018 Posted February 1, 2018 Definitely exclude before including. Always. If a device was previously included in a network it will not normally include into another one without removing it first. You do not have to exclude from the specific network - just have the ISY send exclude frames and follow the exclude process for the device in question... Also, the Aeon Extenders don’t work very well as extenders.... oddly. I had terrible trouble when I had two locks and three extenders to try to make the locks reliable. When I removed the ‘extenders’ and installed two ‘siren’ devices the locks worked flawlessly (after a heal). I now have over 20 zwave devices, mostly powered. So, no more comm issues.
greensha Posted February 4, 2018 Author Posted February 4, 2018 I did end up doing factory resets, excluding the devices, rebooting the ISY and eventually got the extenders to connect back to the ISY. I wasn't able to get the thermostats to connect again despite trying to exclude those. I put one of the repeaters on an extension cord and verified that it was still connected and tried to exclude and add again while holding the extender up to the thermostat, but still no luck. The next day I had some electrical work done on the house and the circuits that the extenders were on were turned off. When they were turned back on, the extenders did not connect back to the ISY. I'm starting to get the impression that z-wave isn't a very robust system. However, my experience is only limited to the Aeon extenders and the Trane thermostats. Before I give up on Z-wave, is there anything else I should try? I've decided that I want to stay away from plug-modules (I've got two small children and it's only a matter of time before they start unplugging things). Is it worth try to add two or three z-wave outlets? Thanks!
stusviews Posted February 4, 2018 Posted February 4, 2018 I, too, found the Aeon DSD37 useless. Try any of an Aeon Siren, Doorbell or Gen6 Range extender.
lilyoyo1 Posted February 5, 2018 Posted February 5, 2018 I use Zwave outlets to build my Zwave network as I do not like wall worts either. While I prefer Cooper (Eaton) aspire receptacles, GE has some Zwave plus models out now. I still prefer the look and feel of the Cooper's but the GE ones will do. With them being embedded in a wall I would recommend getting a couple of extra to ensure proper coverage. Once added to the system, do a network heal and then try to add the thermostats I use Zwave outlets to build my Zwave network as I do not like wall worts either. While I prefer Cooper (Eaton) aspire receptacles, GE has some Zwave plus models out now. I still prefer the look and feel of the Cooper's but the GE ones will do. With them being embedded in a wall I would recommend getting a couple of extra to ensure proper coverage. Once added to the system, do a network heal and then try to add the thermostats
asbril Posted February 5, 2018 Posted February 5, 2018 I use Zwave outlets to build my Zwave network as I do not like wall worts either. While I prefer Cooper (Eaton) aspire receptacles, GE has some Zwave plus models out now. I still prefer the look and feel of the Cooper's but the GE ones will do. With them being embedded in a wall I would recommend getting a couple of extra to ensure proper coverage. Once added to the system, do a network heal and then try to add the thermostats I use Zwave outlets to build my Zwave network as I do not like wall worts either. While I prefer Cooper (Eaton) aspire receptacles, GE has some Zwave plus models out now. I still prefer the look and feel of the Cooper's but the GE ones will do. With them being embedded in a wall I would recommend getting a couple of extra to ensure proper coverage. Once added to the system, do a network heal and then try to add the thermostats I would like to repeat a suggestion made earlier...... Sometimes there is a range issue when initially setting up a device (example a lock). I have the Google Wifi router with 2 extra pods. Not only does this router by far give me the best wifi signal throughout my home, it is also very useful when setting up a new Zwave device. It is very easy to move one of the router pods near the device and temporarily connect the ISY to that pod. Once the device is then included, I return the ISY to its original location and perform a healing.
lilyoyo1 Posted February 5, 2018 Posted February 5, 2018 I would like to repeat a suggestion made earlier...... Sometimes there is a range issue when initially setting up a device (example a lock). I have the Google Wifi router with 2 extra pods. Not only does this router by far give me the best wifi signal throughout my home, it is also very useful when setting up a new Zwave device. It is very easy to move one of the router pods near the device and temporarily connect the ISY to that pod. Once the device is then included, I return the ISY to its original location and perform a healing. I use a pigtail and add my devices right at my ISY prior to install. I like doing this because it allows me to test the device to make sure it works before installation. That way should something be wrong with the device, I know ahead of time instead of spending time troubleshooting only to find out something is wrong with the device.
greensha Posted February 6, 2018 Author Posted February 6, 2018 Thank you for all the advice. I think I'm going to try a couple of outlets to extend the mesh rather than repeaters. I'm currently having my office remodeled (one of the thermostats is there and the other two are in rooms close by) and I will be able to move the ISY to that location. I'll post an update once I get a chance to make the changes.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.