Trying to implement Z-Wave on my EISY - can't find instructions

[ScottAvery]

I transitioned to EISY this summer when the 994i went end of support and am now trying to add in a fresh install of Z-Wave.  I had Z-Wave locks set up on the 994i previously but abandoned them when I moved, so I didn't carry anything over in the upgrade.   I have managed to get the Zmatter USB module recognized, added a range extender and a switch through the LAN Console.  The switch responds to On/Off requests from console, and the console sees remote clicks on the switch, so comms is good.

Problems:

1. After installing it in the console, UD Mobile does not see the switch.  Am I supposed to use my phone to add devices instead of the console?
2. I can't figure out how to change parameters.  Its a Zooz ZEN71 - instructions from Zooz say to set parameter 21 to value of 1 to make it accept a momentary switch on the traveller in an S2 configuration.  I try in the console to set that parameter and either write changes or set configuration, but all that happens is a little highlight circle around the last button that is clicked, no comms seems to be sent.    can't see it in UD Mobile to try there.  how do i set a parameter?  need to use the multi-click setting procedure on device itself?
3. I can't find any good general instructions for a new zwave install.  it took me forever to figure out how to add the first device.  Plenty of talk of moving a setup through an upgrade, but nothing on how to configure new zwave stuff in the EISY.  Anyone have a link to such instructions?

[mmb]

1. So you see the switch in the console but not UD Mobile?  Did you sync UD Mobile?

[dbwarner5]

@ScottAvery Scott....sometimes you need to "re-sync" UDM to get it to see new devices. 

-go to Settings in bottom right corner. 

-scroll down to Controllers and click on it. 

-Choose Eisy... you will then be prompted with the choice to Synchronize, Choose yes. 

-After it's complete, it will ask you if you want to delete old data.. say yes. 

It should show up after that. 

In regards to the parameters, in the Admin Console, go to the switch and see if there is an "arrow" to the left that you can click on to EXPAND the elements of the z-wave device. You would find the parameters there. If there is no arrow, then right click on the z-wave device and then zwave / synchronize / update with interview as shown below.

That should bring in all the parameters.

 

[Guy Lavoie]

For your first question, did you do a "synchronize" in UD Mobile after adding the new device(s)? From the main screen, click on the three vertical dots at the upper right corner, and click on synchronize.

[ScottAvery]

Thanks dbwarner5, mmb and Guy, that resolved the UD Mobile synch.  No luck on the parameters, however.  Any way I try it makes no difference, before or after an update with interview.  There are multiple UI features that seem to indicate they are changing parameters but they don't seem to change anything.

Edited November 24 by ScottAvery

[jkmcfadden]

I change Z-wave parameters pretty regularly in my eISY.  Using both the admin console and programmatically.  

I set the values in the admin console making sure to click "Set Configuration" to enact.  And then I usually click "write changes".  I have never figured out a way to see what they currently are, but changing this way always seems to work.

You can also change the parameters programmatically:

 

 

Edited November 24 by jkmcfadden

[ScottAvery]

6 minutes ago, jkmcfadden said:

  I have never figured out a way to see what they currently are, but changing this way always seems to work.

 

I guess that is the problem.  I have set it your way several times but nothing ever seems to change.  if I look for that parameter it always says it is still zero.

[ScottAvery]

I've tried every which way, including programming, but nothing seems to write to the parameter on the switch.  I opened a support ticket with Zooz.

[Guy Lavoie]

Is your zwave setup currently just the eisy and that one switch you're trying to configure?

[ScottAvery]

One switch and one long range extender.
 

I have about 10 more in a box but I am not going to add any more if the one doesn’t work as advertised.  Considering returning them all and paying a bit more for Insteon. Was planning to ditch the Insteon after the bankruptcy/relaunch, but this isn’t better.   Guessing you are leaning toward needing a bigger mesh before things will work?
 

I also learned in the troubleshooting that the zoos switches are not usable with halogen lights, which adds a considerable cost in changing bulbs/fixtures. 

[Guy Lavoie]

Well, just wondering what you have as a test setup and yes, if there is any kind of zwave network that operational. You mention being able to control the switch from the admin console, so I'm deducing that actual communications are working.

As for Insteon vs zwave, I'm actually still new to it all. I've only been a UD user since about August, and implemented Insteon switches throughout since that time. I haven't store bought a single new Insteon device; they're all from ebay or marketplace, though a few of them were still new in box. I even bought my eisy as used. I had been using X10 quite reliably for the past 25 years...

So my experience has been that Insteon seems very reliable, fast, and versatile. Then again, coming from X10, anything would appear better. As for zwave, I have several zwave door locks. I also bought a half dozen inexpensive zwave appliance modules that are actually for the purpose of creating the mesh network, since the devices I really want to use (the door locks) are battery operated so they don't act as repeaters. I also have a zwave watercop valve. All this installed in the past couple of months so I can't really say much about long term reliability. I do find the zwave reliability somewhat iffy, though my sparse network might be a factor. But it's still a bit odd that it usually works, though sometimes querying a lock will fail to respond. It's as if the network itself isn't consistent.

[jkmcfadden]

In my early days of Zwave (that like you I started using during the Insteon dark time) signal was an issue, so I bought a lot of repeaters.  Now that I have more and more devices, the signals are better, though still not as reliable as Insteon dual-band.

As to your parameter issue, I set parameters using my eISY all the time using the procedure I listed above.  Most recently with a Zwave gas fireplace control where I was changing the parameters a lot during testing of the auto-shutoff time.  I was setting it pretty short so as not to have to wait around for my tests.  I use Zooz and other brands and generally don't have any issues other than there does not appear to be anyway to "retrieve" the setting using the eISY so the only way I can verify my change is by how the device behaves. 

One thing I always do is to have the Zwave device very close to other Zwave devices as I am setting the parameter.  I have a "testing bench" where I hook up my devices to a power plug for setup and testing.  I never install in a wall box and then try to set the parameter.  I set the parameters, test and verify.   I am not sure if that makes a difference, but that is how I always handle mine.

[ScottAvery]

Thanks for that. I did the first attempts on a test bench but had to install it in a 3-way to see if it would work. I didn’t consider setting up the 3 way on the bench. Was trying to use a momentary switch for the second switch, which requires a parameter change. 
 

it seems to work with a regular switch, however, so I may keep this and buy a color-matched standard switch.   Annoyed enough I may reserve the zwave only for side rooms and go back to Insteon for the main areas. 

[jkmcfadden]

That is what I generally do.  I use Zwave in bathrooms, bedrooms and closets where I generally have just a single location switch.  And Insteon for my larger, main areas where I want more elaborate scenes and control from multiple switch locations.  Zwave does not play well with eISY/Insteon scenes (at least as far as my experience is concerned). 

Zwave also has more options for devices.  I used these Zooz controllers in all my bedrooms paired with an Insteon fan controller.  I think they have a cleaner look as opposed to the Insteon 6 button keypads.

 

 

Edited November 29 by jkmcfadden

[ScottAvery]

How did you make the labels on the switch plate?

[jkmcfadden]

 Cleanplate Collections | Tedstuff 

I custom ordered them.  They have standard designs but I contacted them and they worked with me on the custom label placement for my Zooz controllers.

The cost was about the same as custom Insteon buttons since I ordered several for my bedrooms.  I also have a slightly different version in my bathrooms. 

There is an outfit that is engraving both Insteon and Zooz products as well. I do not personally have any experience with them, but I likely will in the future as this is now where Insteon.com points to for custom buttons.

Domotinc-customs

 

Edited November 30 by jkmcfadden