ControlThink Forums

Hello,

I have a small network with eight devices with the HA07 as the Primary Controller.  I was able to transfer the network to ThinkEssentails successfully.   Now I wanted to build some scenes.  It was really easy to build the scenes in ThinkEssentials.  Is there any way to transfer the scenese to the HA07? 

The process on the HA07 seems really painful - with 5 scenes and 8 devices I have to walk around pressing the include button 40 times!

Pat

Hi Pat,

We're working on a method to do that for an upcoming release.  Stay tuned...

Chris

Chris,

I am staying very tuned in ... The wait is killing me!  Is this a days, weeks, months or years wait?

 pat

Hi Pat

I'm about to embark on a similar journey and I'd like to learn from your experience. I have a small HomeSettings network with an HA07 as my primary controller and an HA09 which is next to my bed. My single greatest concern in moving to ThinkEssentials is re-establishing the network as there are some devices in very awkward places.

In addition, I'd like to use ThinkEssentials to determine the Node Number of the ZWave devices so I can integrate a Leviton RS-232 device.

My questions are:

1. Can your old primary controller be removed from the network?
2. Did you have to re-learn any of the devices?

Chris, the feature you mention would be awesome!

Kaizen28,

With ThinkEssentilas 2.0 Professional Edition (and a ThinkStick), you can add in your PC, upgrade it to Primary role, and then add the handheld back into the network.  Would that work for you?

Chris

Hi Chris

Yes, that certainly sounds good to me. One dumb question though, how do I assign devices to each of the buttons?

Cheers,

Kaizen

PS Does ThinkEssentials allow me to see the node number?

Kaizen,

Chris is the expert here ... But my .02 is that I am not sure I want ThinkEssentials to be the Primary yet.  I am still using the HA07 as primary and it is turning lights on and off based on timers, etc.   When I add a new device I put it on the HA07 and then replicate to ThinkEssentials.  My reasoning so far is:

1) Adding devices to the network means physically visiting the device.  This is easier with the HA07 vs. the computer.  (and i am using a laptop!)
2) I would have to upgrade to professional edition to do this.  I just bought the kit version of the HA22 + ThinkEssentails from Automated Outlet.  It was an impulse buy and I did not realize that many things require "professional" edition.
3) I still have weirdness with ThinkEssentials that does not exist with the HA07.  For example one of my switches simply is not recognised by ThinkEssentials.  Ut works fine with the HA07 but I simply can't get thinkessentials to control it.  I have re-added everything twice and restarted everyting. 

The sort of things that I am still looking for in my little network are:
 
* Programming a Leviton Vizia RF 4 switch zone controller - But I would also have to purchase the Leviton controller.  A total of over $250 for the convienence of having one 4 place switch.  That seems steep.  If the PRO edition of ThinkEssentials could program that switch it would make sense to upgrade.

* Programming the HA07.  While I like the HA07 I have already once hit a wrong button combination and wiped the total network.  (don't ever accidentally receive vs send a config)  I would love to backup my HA07 and/or be able to configure it from a PC vs. visiting every switch to simply change the dimming.

* Turn lights on from a serial (or other) imput.

* Debug / Understand the routing / network in my house.  If I have a device that is not consistant where should I add another zwave device to make it more robust?  It would be nice to understand the network topology.

* As a geek I want to get to the details.  I can't do that at all.  The ThinkEssentails IU is great - but I also want a console output or some way to get detail on what is happening.

So far the computer can't do much more than turn lights on and off on a schedule.  I can do that with the HA07. Maybe I should try out the professional version ...

pat

PS - I can't find a way to see any details about a device other than its name.  There may be a way to do it ... I just have not seen it yet. (and I spent some time looking!)

In TE 2.1 build 2+, right-click on the device and select "properties" to get node ID and more details on the device...

Chris

Hi All

Thanks for your feedback. I guess I'm now at the point of just seeing how it works and trying not to break anything. Fingers crossed...

Cheers,

Kaizen

PS My motivator in moving away from the HA07 is as follows:

1. I can stop worrying about needing to replace batteries.
2. More advanced control of the ZWave devices (Hopefully macros in a future release).