Polisy --> Z-Wave communication failure

[SSamuels]

Stew Samuels

Polisy - Z-Wave communication failures

Firmware Polisy v 5.4.3 (2022-04-08}

UI Polisy v 5.4.3 {2022-04-08|

Product  Polsy (5200)

- Open ADR (21010)

- Networking Module (21040)

- Portal Integration (21075)

- Z-Wave Module (21100)

- A10/X10 Module (21060)

 

Somfy Z-Wave to RTS interface

 

Polisy was communicating flawlessly with 9 Somfy RTS shades. About a week ago I started seeing communication error messages when launching the AC with random shades – not all shades and not the same shades each time. Now I see errors for all the shades when I launch AC

 

I have tried rebooting the Somfy Z-Wave interface and relaunching the AC which does not resolve the problem. I reboot the Polisy and relaunch the AC which DOES resolve the problem. Nothing in the environment has changed that should affect the Polisy --> Somfy RTS Interface --> RTS motor communication.

 

It seems that the issue is the Polisy communicating with the Somfy RTS interface. Any thoughts on how to resolve this permanently?

 

Thanks

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi Stu, 

When this happens, what do you get from the Z-Wave menu?

With kind regards,
Michel

[Techman]

The Somfy RTS uses the 300 series Z-wave chip, and it doesn't have great RF range. 

If there's not an issue with the Polisy then you may have to add a Z-wave repeater between the Polisy and the Somfy RTS.

Also, the RTS should be within line of sight to the shades.

[SSamuels]

Hi Michael-

Thanks for the response. I am not sure what is meant by 'the Z-Wave menu'. The only message I received was 'Unable to communicate' upon starting the AC. If I am missing something, can you point me to 'the Z-Wave menu'?

Best

Stew

[SSamuels]

Hi Techman-

Thanks for the response. Can I upgrade the Z-Wave communication device for the Polisy by using a 700 series Z-Wave USB dongle?

Best

Stew

[Techman]

6 minutes ago, SSamuels said:

Hi Techman-

Thanks for the response. Can I upgrade the Z-Wave communication device for the Polisy by using a 700 series Z-Wave USB dongle?

Best

Stew

I'm assuming that you're using the Zooz ZST10 700 Z-wave dongle with your Polisy. Do you have other Z-wave devices close to the Polisy and the RTS?, if so they should act as signal repeaters

The problem is that the RTS is constrained by its 300 series Z-wave and can't take advantage of the Polisy's newer 700 series chip.

If the Polisy is having trouble communicating with the RTS, and you don't have a viable z-wave mesh network,  then you should add a repeater such as the Aeotec Range Extender 7 between the Polisy and the RTS.  

 

[oskrypuch]

Wouldn't the presence of the 300 series device, downgrade the capabilities of the rest of the mesh as well?

* Orest

(not that there may be any other choice given hardware availability)

Edited May 23, 2022 by oskrypuch

[SSamuels]

Thanks Techman, very helpful.

Best

Stew

[Bumbershoot]

1 minute ago, oskrypuch said:

Wouldn't the presence of the 300 series device, downgrade the capabilities of the rest of the mesh as well?

* Orest

I think it could, but only if it's used as a route to the controller for other devices.  I have one old Z-Wave 300 device, and it works well, but it isn't used as a repeater for any other devices.  As a result, network wide inclusion (NWI) and other newer Z-Wave features still work on my network.  The entire network isn't dumbed down to the lowest common denominator (300 series) in my installation.  It might, however, if the only route to the controller was through the Z-Wave 300 device.

[lilyoyo1]

In the ops case it will be 300 since the receiving device is a 300 series device

[Techman]

It's my understanding that the signal between the Polisy and the 700 series repeater will be at the 700 protocol, the communication between the repeater and the 300 series device will be at the 300 protocol. 

[asbril]

20 minutes ago, Techman said:

It's my understanding that the signal between the Polisy and the 700 series repeater will be at the 700 protocol, the communication between the repeater and the 300 series device will be at the 300 protocol. 

As @Bumbershoot writes, this should be the case as long as the 700 device connects directly to the Polisy, without being routed through one or more 300/500 devices.

Edited May 23, 2022 by asbril

[lilyoyo1]

Except the device the signal is for is 300 series. The signal leaving the controller will be for that along with the signal leaving the repeater. This is why a lower class series device in line kills things completely. The signal doesn't pick back up again after the lowest class series. 

Either way, while 700 series devices can help with distance, its not a catch all. That's why people still have range issues with the latest devices.

The op is better served building a strong mesh network with multiple devices (700 series of course), to ensure strong communication

[SSamuels]

Thank you to everyone for the responses.