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Range extenders options besides Aoetec siren/doorbell


fasttimes

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I have only one Z-Wave device, a Schlage door lock which is spotty with responses.  I know many say the Aoetec Siren/Doorbell is the best option, because not only does it help the range but it has extra functionality.  However I have absolutely no use for a siren or doorbell.  Will these two Aeotec products work just as well?

Aeotec Smart Dimmer 6 with USB Charging Port, Z-Wave Plus Wireless Dimmer Switch for Home Automation, 2.5A Mini Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B8CIVXQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_R6i1Bb77Z52GG

Aeotec Smart Switch 6 with USB Charging Port, Z-Wave Plus Wireless Control Socket Plug for Home Security Automation, 15A Mini Size https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQISOCG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_C8i1BbGA3R2ND

Can I get away with adding one, or do I need at least two powered Z-Wave devices?  And if I need at least two, and since lock is just 3 feet away (through a wall) from some light switches, would this GE switch in conjunction with one of the Aeotecs listed above seem like a good fit?

 

 

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@fasttimes , I have found the Aeotec items you listed to work well as repeaters as well as the other functions they are designed for. It's difficult to say how many Z-Wave devices you will need to create your reliable mesh. Every situation is different. RF is not an exact science. There are so many things that can interfere with the signal that without expensive test equipment, one really can't say what will work and what won't work. Keep in mind the more Z-wave devices you have, the better your mesh network will be and more reliable the communications between devices will be. 

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Good luck with your Schalge lock. I have four and I'm pretty unhappy with their reliability unless they are in the same room as the ISY. And I have lots of repeaters... I've tried the Aeotec, Inovelli and Jasco.... When my Z-Wave mesh got too big everything sort of crashed and became unreliable. So now I am trying to use just one repeater between the lock and ISY. We'll see how this works out.....

Wayne

IMG_20181103_115640.jpg

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2 hours ago, wdhille said:

Good luck with your Schalge lock. I have four and I'm pretty unhappy with their reliability unless they are in the same room as the ISY. And I have lots of repeaters... I've tried the Aeotec, Inovelli and Jasco.... When my Z-Wave mesh got too big everything sort of crashed and became unreliable. So now I am trying to use just one repeater between the lock and ISY. We'll see how this works out.....

Wayne

IMG_20181103_115640.jpg

How big did your network get? What about the design of your house? Unfortunately with zwave being rf, its weaknesses can be magnified in the wrong type of house. 

From my experience with numerous installs all of the locks are the same. They may have different options in the controllers but all have pretty much the same zwave performance. 

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My Z-Wave portion of my network grew to four locks, all the repeater in the above pic, plus about six more repeaters. The house is about 3600 SF, the external shop about 1350 SF. What makes is hard from the RF perspective is the distance. But... even going through one wall to a lock 25 feet away is unreliable. I'm not sure if it is the ISY Z-Wave hardware/implementation or the Schlage. The It seems to be both... I'm hoping or leaning to blue tooth locks with Wifi adapters a few feet away. But then I can't use my Insteon, but at least it will work. 

 

Wayne

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