Generator Notification Project using Zooz ZEN17

[IPapp]

Good day,

I am working on a generator notification project using the dry contacts inside my generators automatic transfer switch to change the input state on a Zooz ZEN17 module. The only struggle I am having is that when the power is lost and the load of the house transfers to the generator I am missing that status change from the ZEN17. When utility power returns and the ATS transfers back to utility I am able to receive that notification with no issue. Is there a way for the ISY994i to query the status of the ZEN17 once the ISY994i starts back up once generator power is available? One solution is to use a UPS for the ISY, router, modem, and ZEN17 but if it can be worked around with a program I would prefer that avenue. I would like to also follow the generator status so that I may write it a program for load shed/priority.

 

Thanks everyone!

[MrBill]

there is the ability to run a program at startup.  Which could possibly be used to query... I'm not familiar with the ZEN17 tho to know if it responds to queries.  

'Run At Startup' can be enabled from the Program Summary tab.  If you leave the IF of the program blank it will run the THEN block at startup if Run at Startup is enabled for the program.

[IPapp]

I thought that I had noticed that option at one time, but was likely looking for something else at that time. I will do some playing around. Thank you!

[johnnyt]

Just query the sensor node, no?

I have to say I'm currently working on my 2nd ZEN17 that's not reliably reporting the sensor changes when they happen. Querying it is fine but I need it to trigger properly every time and it sometimes doesn't. One of my less frequent use cases (I have 3) is when utility power goes out and my UPS kicks in and closes a dry contact. The ZEN17 needs to tell my ISY (which is on the UPS) that power is out. I have my furnace and zwave Tstat  on UPS so (in winter) ISY turns it down right away then again a bit more 30 minutes later in case it's going to be a long outage. 

I'm looking for others' experiences with ZEN17 sensors because I'm getting worried they're unreliable. It could be just 2 bad units from the same batch given I ordered them at same time. I don't know yet. I'm getting two other ones from different supplier so will see how those do. In the meantime would love to hear from others.