ControlThink Forums

I just recently acquired several  ACT’s zir000 PIR sensors, the Intermatic usb dongle and Intermatic’s HA06C wall dimmer.

I added all of the devices to the USB interface using the sdk samples, and while testing these in my office, these worked just fine.

The problem I’m having is that when the PIR’s are installed, if these are not line of sight to the USB dongle, these are not detected (these PIR’s are all within 30 ft), even when one of the PIR is within 5 feet of an Intermatic HA06 wall dimmer, which has no problem with the range and is not line-of-sight.

My question is:  shouldn’t the wall dimmer be acting as a repeater for the PIR?

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

 

barher,

If you moved the devices, you'll need to re-do the associations in the sensors as they won't know what routes they can take.  Routes are set up statically in Z-Wave at install-time.

Chris

Hello Chris,

Thank you for your prompt response.  By re-do the associations,  do you mean reset the USB and re-add all of my devices (PIR's, dimmers etc) again? 

All of my control logic I am doing it through the USB dongle.

Regards,

Try clearing out the groups in the device and then re-adding them.  Although technically, you can probably re-add without clearing them out first.

Chris

Thank you for your postings.  I reset the groups, re-added the devices to the usb and, reprogrammed the sensors:

With Me.m_ZWaveController.Devices.GetByNodeID(10) 'ZIR000 sensorTry.ConfigurationParameters(17).Value = 0.ConfigurationParameters(18).Value = 2 .Groups(1).Clear()'Device 1 intermatic HA04 binary switch  

.Groups(1).Add(Me.m_ZWaveController.Devices(1))

'USB dongle.Groups(1).Add(Me.m_ZWaveController.Devices(0))        Catch ex As ExceptionMsgBox(ex.Message)End Try End With I am still having problems with the sensors out of range.  Is there a way to trace the routes programmatically based on their topology?Regards,

barher

 

quick question are you adding them at their locations or adding them then putting them in place? the reason I ask is if you add a device and say its to the right of a device 5ft from it then put it in place and now its left of a device 3 ft from it the routing table will be messed up (this is a simple example but from experience if the device is not added at its location in relation to the other devices in the mesh the routing from device to device will be corrupt and create intermittent or non-communicative scenarios.) Now this is in regards to the other DEVICES (HA##c blah blah) and not CONTROLLER (usb dongle). hmm also you might want to add devices with either scenario A(use a remote as primary) or B(install on a laptop for mobility). Not I may be wrong on this and I can only assume some guru will come down on my post and squash me like a bug but devices usually need to be deleted first (I recommend using the command TWO TIMES) to clear them from a network which they may have been attached to during testing by quality control from the manufacturer. Then added (included). Oh and i recommend a mobile device addition process only because of any local interference can cause devices which are not AC powered like most PIRs are not(usually battery powered) to have a weak inclusion transmission. Hmmm so much to type here. Ok also PIRs usually go to sleep and can only be added within 1-10 minutes after the button has been placed. While asleep they cannot be added or given commands for things such as associations etc etc.... To make things short you should add devices via remote or laptop if possible at no more than 3FT from said device. ok well I've run my keys enough for now hope this helps please feel free to message or post to me I will be happy to assist with what little knowledge I have. - MK

Hello MK,

Thank you for your posting.

I actually erased all my devices from the USB dongle, and proceeded to add these again using my laptop and walking to the devices at their installed locations.  I believe I am still out of range.

After talking to a local distributor for zwave devices he informed me that the RF used in these devices does not "like" concrete wall and ceilings; and I should install more devices to act as repeaters......

 Regards,

barher

well yes they are a form of RF and therefore susceptible to interference by metals and thick walls. aslong as they have a path to follow they will pretty much work just follow the rules of additions and you should be fine. good luck and feel free to msg me if you have anymore questions I'd be happy to try to help MK