Aeotec HD Smart Switch Gen5 / ZW078 - Won't work w/ repeaters ??

I hate z-wave, but have it to accommodate some locks and now this high amperage switch.

I want to replace a non-HD Aeotec power-monitoring switch in the same location with this one.

I can add this switch no problem from my desk (near the ISY), but it won't work when located where it can't be directly reached from the ISY itself.

Most of my locks and several other Zwave devices are actuated via a number of Aeotec repeaters or other ZW switches acting as repeaters, since they are distant.

I tried pairing the device from a distant location where other zwave items work, but it won't communicate from there through the mesh back to the ISY.

When adding the Aeotec HD switch when near the ISY, the ISY gives me a message (after the pairing starts) about needing to switch on "secure adding" and then turning it back off after pairing, which I've done. It won't pair w/out doing this.

If there is a way to force the Aeotec HD switch to pair to the ISY in non-secure mode I haven't found it - apparently it only will pair in secure mode?

I guess I could try deleting my repeaters and re-pairing to the ISY in secure mode, but they barely work as is, and I've heard secure slows things down even more and reduces the already miniscule range.

I'm out of ideas. Any suggestions?

Thanks!