Adding extra ZWave controllers to expand range?

[PatPend]

Because of the layout of my house, I'd like to add a second primary Zwave controller and bridge it to my ISY994i over the LAN using, for example, MQTT or configuring the second controller as a nodeserver.  I was thinking a RPi running HA and Z-Wave to MQTT plus Z-stick, and bridging it with polyglot.  But that has a lot of moving parts, is there a better/simpler way to add a second primary Zwave controller and bridge it to the ISY?

Edited November 23, 2021 by PatPend
The clarify the question presented.

[lilyoyo1]

Add extra devices

[Techman]

All plug in Zwave devices act as repeaters.

If you're using the 300 series Zwave dongle you might want to upgrade to the 500 series which has greater range and other improvements 

[PatPend]

(video removed)

[Geddy]

17 hours ago, PatPend said:

"Do you honestly think I don't know that" (movie clip removed)

Well, great feedback to the above suggestions/answers to your situation.

17 hours ago, PatPend said:

is there a better/simpler way to add a second primary Zwave controller and bridge it to the ISY?

What you apparently missed was that @lilyoyo1 and @Techman both answered your question. The "better/simpler way" would be to just add more devices. Since you (apparently) know how z-wave works (by the clip you added) then you know the more devices you have the better the coverage.

I would say the best way to improve your coverage would be to have more devices. NOT by adding another controller.  (You later came back to emphasize that you're looking for a "better" way to add the second controller)

I would just add to @Techman's reply by suggesting getting a 700 series controller -- as it's what will be supported (by ISY on Polisy) moving forward. 700 series also seems to offer even more range than 500.

 

[lilyoyo1]

1 hour ago, Geddy said:

Well, great feedback to the above suggestions/answers to your situation.

 

.

 

It's always crazy to me when a person tries to get smart with those responding to their questions for help- especially when they have multiple posts with issues. You'd think they would hold off from doing that until their issues were at least resolved

Edited November 23, 2021 by lilyoyo1

[upstatemike]

I have to agree that simply building out a Z-Wave network to include a remote or otherwise difficult loaction is not always practical. If Z-Wave was a broadcast protocol then having devices act as repeaters could be a solution because you can reach a point where the cumulative effect of many broadcast repeaters solves your problem in a way that is resilient even if some of those repeaters are moved or unplugged since no particular one of them is likely to be a single point of failure for getting the signal through. Since Z-Wave is routed then any change to the signal path requires the system to find a new route which may not happen instantaneously. I would be uncomfortable having to depend on that solution for any coverage beyond 1 or 2 hops. 

I know Homeseer solves this problem by offering network attached controllers (Z-Nets) that can be placed in strategic locations to provide coverage without having to fill the gap between those areas with extra Z-Wave devices. Hubitat also has a solution by allowing multiple hubs to be linked over the network which basically accomplishes the same thing.

I wonder if using multiple Hubitats as your Z-Wave interfaces connected to ISY/Polisy via a Hubitat Node Server would create the solution you are looking for?

[asbril]

I don't  know the distance of your set-up, but my home is just under 3000 sq ft, with the ISY on one of the far ends.  I have an extensive Zwave mesh network ( around 80 Zwave devices) and I don't have connections issues. As upstatemike mentions, the number of hops is relevant but I would venture that more than 1 or 2 hops would work, especially if you many Zwave devices well spread around your location. 

[lilyoyo1]

7 minutes ago, asbril said:

I don't  know the distance of your set-up, but my home is just under 3000 sq ft, with the ISY on one of the far ends.  I have an extensive Zwave mesh network ( around 80 Zwave devices) and I don't have connections issues. As upstatemike mentions, the number of hops is relevant but I would venture that more than 1 or 2 hops would work, especially if you many Zwave devices well spread around your location. 

I agree with you. Our old house we sold was 5400 sq ft heated and never had zwave issues. While hops does matter overall, it's not like it uses the first 4 devices it comes across in hop count. 

The biggest issues I've seen is people try to build their network using the smallest number of devices vs investing in the infrastructure to have a solid network. 

[Techman]

F.Y.I. - The Aeotec Range Extender 7 repeats and amplifies the Zwave signals. It has an indoor range of over 200 feet and an outdoor range of close to 500 feet.

It uses the latest series 700 chip. It appears to be currently unavailable due to either shipping or chip shortages. When available Amazon carries them.

 

[PatPend]

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression, if I didn't value and respect the members of this forum I wouldn't be asking here. (And c'mon that Christmas Vacation clip was funny).  My goal is to migrate from an Insteon-only network to a hybrid system (which now thanks to Polyglot supports Tasmota devices via MQTT and Minka fans via Bond Bridge).  ZWave is the next piece of the puzzle. I am adding additional modules but facing challenges getting a signal to cross even one room.  In addition, based on my experience so far and the layout of my house, even if I replaced every switch and outlet, it's not clear the mesh could reach from one end to the other without exceeding 4 hops and such an experiment would be difficult to justify economically.  Hence my initial query.

21 hours ago, upstatemike said:

I wonder if using multiple Hubitats as your Z-Wave interfaces connected to ISY/Polisy via a Hubitat Node Server would create the solution you are looking for?

I will look into this, thank you!

EDIT: Supports ZWave and Zigbee and on sale for $99.95?  Wow, just grabbed one.  THANKS

Edited November 24, 2021 by PatPend
Update

[larryllix]

8 hours ago, PatPend said:

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression, if I didn't value and respect the members of this forum I wouldn't be asking here. (And c'mon that Christmas Vacation clip was funny).  My goal is to migrate from an Insteon-only network to a hybrid system (which now thanks to Polyglot supports Tasmota devices via MQTT and Minka fans via Bond Bridge).  ZWave is the next piece of the puzzle. I am adding additional modules but facing challenges getting a signal to cross even one room.  In addition, based on my experience so far and the layout of my house, even if I replaced every switch and outlet, it's not clear the mesh could reach from one end to the other without exceeding 4 hops and such an experiment would be difficult to justify economically.  Hence my initial query.

I will look into this, thank you!

EDIT: Supports ZWave and Zigbee and on sale for $99.95?  Wow, just grabbed one.  THANKS

Always mark your humour, especially sarcasm, in a text only medium. People can't see the big smile on your face no matter how obvious it seems to the originator. It can avoid a lot of friction and hard feelings. Many cultures and backgrounds here, interpret things differently, and many are showing signs of pandemic long term stress (been a huge problem in my home at times, also).

All the best!!

[PatPend]

Just a follow-up, the Hubitat arrived and it proved to be exactly what I was looking for.  After 3D printing this mounting bracket and installing it towards the opposite end of my home from the ISY, I had it up & running, paired to the Zwave device I was trying reach, and configured it as a nodeserver to the ISY in less than an hour.   Many thanks to @upstatemike for his solution to and to all who responded.  

[upstatemike]

Cool bracket! I bet that orientation puts the antennas in a more favorable position as well.