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Need z-wave setup/routing advice


firstone

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Posted

I'm trying to get ISY to communicate with my z-wave schlage connect (z-wave+) lock. I've added it  by bringing ISY next it it. ISY is normally located in my basement server room/pantry. I have 2 DZPD3-2BW units and one older VRP03-1LW in the network. I was able to get the signal out of the server room by putting one dimmer  right next to ISY and one on the furthest wall of the basement. ISY is able to control both and they respond to query. The lock is on the first floor, directly above the second dimmer. I cannot communicate with the lock, no matter what I do. I've tried plugging the 3rd dimmer in various places, healing links, etc. Nothing seems to work.What's else can I try? 

Posted

Get more devices and toss the VRPO3. Since you have a non plus device, you are not getting the benefits of plus as your ISY will downgrade to account for that one. Depending on the make-up of your home, the signal may not be getting through to your lock even above it. Since its a basement, i'm pretty certain of it.

You may get lucky and move things around enough to find a good spot where you get signal but you'll end up with spotty communication. Your best bet would be to invest in a few more devices to ensure strong communication. My rule of thumb is to figure out what I need and add 2. Embedded devices I assume communication will be 10-15 feet and plug in devices will be 20-30.

Posted

I have 4 kwikset zwave locks.  Try to exclude them first. 

 

Adding additional zwave devices next to the locks does help.  I have 3 walls and 20 ft between the front door and the nearest device.  

Posted
16 hours ago, lilyoyo1 said:

Get more devices and toss the VRPO3. Since you have a non plus device, you are not getting the benefits of plus as your ISY will downgrade to account for that one. Depending on the make-up of your home, the signal may not be getting through to your lock even above it. Since its a basement, i'm pretty certain of it.

Tossing VRP03 aside, which I will do, I can't seem to find a spot on the first floor that I can communicate with. I've tried moving that VRP03 into different spots and could never reach it. Not sure how adding more (how many more?) device will help if there seem to be no signal between first floor and basement. Possibly the problem is due to metal mesh that's used under tiles. Thinking if I should try hanging a dimmer somewhere by basement ceiling and another somewhere right above it on the first floor.

Posted
10 minutes ago, lilyoyo1 said:

You could put one at the top of the steps and one outside the door to the basement 

No outlet near top of the steps. I think I have to take extension cord and try throwing dimmer on top of some shelf or some such.

Posted

I got it all working. Hanged one dimmer on extension cord near the ceiling of the basement. Plugged in second dimmer on the first floor above it. Lock is reachable now. Everything is working. Figured out how to program user codes via rest calls to ISY from an order post. 

Posted

May think of getting a plugin repeater and not stringing a dimmer off an extension cord?  Even a good power plug module would beat the dimmer hanging up there :)

 

Posted
11 hours ago, simplextech said:

May think of getting a plugin repeater and not stringing a dimmer off an extension cord?  Even a good power plug module would beat the dimmer hanging up there :)

 

What do you mean by "power plug module"? I'm using DZPD3-2BW. It's not like it's wall hardwired dimmer that I've spliced into extension cord. Did you mean there are some other plug in modules that will do a better job? 

Posted
18 minutes ago, firstone said:

What do you mean by "power plug module"? I'm using DZPD3-2BW. It's not like it's wall hardwired dimmer that I've spliced into extension cord. Did you mean there are some other plug in modules that will do a better job? 

He's probably looking at the terminology you used. It sounded like you connected a switch to an extension cord pig tail.

Posted
51 minutes ago, firstone said:

What do you mean by "power plug module"? I'm using DZPD3-2BW. It's not like it's wall hardwired dimmer that I've spliced into extension cord. Did you mean there are some other plug in modules that will do a better job? 

Ahh terminology.... when you said "dimmer" I'm thinking a inside the wall "dimmer switch" not a plugin module "lamp dimmer".  See I was picturing  a spliced in wall dimmer hanging from an extension cord :)

 

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