Premise Fresh start - XP OS, Z-Wave -> Which Controller?

[ahansen]

I'm starting over at the second house and am working Premise and have decided since it was a do-over, to go with Z-Wave. I've been looking at the Z-Wave interfaces over at HomeSeer, but was looking for recommendations -- which controller should I go with? I read the thread about Z-Wave support here, but it looked like a couple of controllers were referenced, so figured better safe than sorry (after plunking down a few hundred dollars). What would you buy if you were in my shoes? Links appreciated

 

[etc6849]

Read this post:
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=176

There are two links at the bottom for the primary (USB) and secondary (RS232) controller you'll need.

 

[ahansen]

Read this post:
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?app=downloads&showfile=176

There are two links at the bottom for the primary (USB) and secondary (RS232) controller you'll need.

Thanks for the link and I've spent quite a bit of time looking at these devices (and your page). The biggest thing prompting me to post the question related to the the price difference between the controllers at the link included (i.e. http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=3437 and http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=4546) and the items listed on the HomeSeer web site (http://store.homeseer.com/store/PC-Interfaces-C66.aspx). Not wedded to any specific device - just have both sets of software and was thinking about interoperability. Reactions?

And thanks for the response.

 

[etc6849]

The only secondary controller that will with Premise is the VRC0P; no other RS232 controller will work in its place.

I'm not sure which primary controllers will recognize the VRC0P; probably any of the USB sticks. So if you already have a non-leviton primary controller (with its own software to setup your z-wave network) you can try it and see. Premise does not include the software to initially set up the z-wave network. That is why I suggested the Leviton RF Installer Tool.

 

[chucklyons]

So I just got this from Smarthome....

Thank you for your recent purchase. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has discontinued the product you purchased item # 45016 - Vizia RF+ Plug-In Serial Module. Due to this we will be unable to fulfill this order. We have cancelled this item from your order and if already charged for the product, we have issued you a refund.


Is this the right/wrong one? Now what?

 

[ASIHome]

The VRC0P-1LW is still a valid part.

http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=3437

We have stock.

Thank you,

 

[etc6849]

That's the one I bought too. I also recommend this for the primary controller:
http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=4546 .

Be sure to install the firmware update from Leviton's site and download the latest RF Installer software for the USB stick:
http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCZzpHome.jsp?minisite=10024&respid=22372
and
http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=33295&minisite=10021

Being on the east coast Asihome/Worthington Distribution shipments arrive at my door very fast. I think they also have a warehouse in Nevada or something too though so I'd give them a try.

 

[chucklyons]

Thanks, guys. Order placed. Paid with Paypal.

Now, does anyone have a room I can crash in after the bill comes in?

 

[chucklyons]

etc! NICE job on the Z-Wave! Very easy! (once I read the instructions...)

Nicely put together, your instructions are excellent, and it went fast...

Thanks for the contribution....(and the others who gave me advice on this thread)

 

[etc6849]

Thanks Chuck. I wish I had the patience and time to write a full tutorial with screenshots. 123 and Markh did a LOT of work too (that's why the module supports so many different devices).

PS: let us know how things work. I like the leviton switches/dimmers but they are expensive. However, Leviton may be the only z-wave solution if you have any 4 way lights in your home.

 

[chucklyons]

I don't know, maybe it's user error, but I've been having a heck of a time adding any additional devices. Most of the time, I have to delete the module and reinstall.

It will pull all of the previous devices in; the new one - even though its in the Leviton SW, won't show up. Also have noticed a number of jobs in the job queue; have also seen the 'discovering switches' hang. Any ideas?

WIth the module installed, with the Leviton HW/SW configured, using the VRC0P, just what are the steps to add a new device?

 

[chucklyons]

ugh. I may have figured out the problem. I'll get the 3-way switch installed and see if my theory works. And then I will write-up the instructions~

 

[etc6849]

You should be able to select Devices.ViziaRF.Devices then click "Discover Devices." If it hangs (which it shouldn't) you are probably forgetting to set VRC0Pv3 to true (I think the instructions say to do this ).

Which three way switches are you looking at? The one's I have do 3-way or 4-way just fine. For dimmers/switches you just select the associated matching remote (assuming you have a traveling wire you can use). I've pasted my old order information below for you. If you remove the LEV, that's the Leviton part number.

I would call asihome or worthington and ask for Barry if you are unsure. I remember there were some small differences in the coordinating remotes below (which are much cheaper than using scene controllers as a virtual 3 way switch); I think the one's with LED's require a neutral and ground. I can't remember for sure though so be sure to read Leviton's documentation.

LEVVRI06-1LX vizia rf + 600W Incandescent D 16 65.54 1,048.64 LEVVP00R-1LX vizia + Matching Dimmer Remote 8 16.09 128.72 LEVVP00R-10X vizia + Coordinating Dimmer Re 2 13.74 27.48 LEVVRF01-1LX vizia rf + 1.5A Quiet Fan Spee 2 109.23 218.46 LEVVRS15-1LX vizia rf + 15A Switch 3 72.82 218.46 LEVVPS15-1LX vizia + 15A Switch 0 14.99 .00 /C89 0 .00 .00

 

[chucklyons]

Well, it seems that I can control from the browser, but local control doesn't change the state in Premise. The serial port is fine;I'm not seeing activity via Port Spy.
I'm using GE/Jasco switches
Any ideas?

 

[etc6849]

This is what I don't like about Z-Wave: without buying a device and doing testing, there's no way to know which Z-Wave classes it supports.

I believe either the HAIL or ASSOCIATION class must be supported by the switches in order to see the local feedback changes. Or, there must be some proprietary method using the manufacturer specific Z-Wave classes that allows for feedback (this is how I think Leviton's line works).

Since I don't have any GE switches to test things with, please try the following and post your results (for the future benefit of others)...

1. Find the node ID of the VRC0P using your primary controller and the primary controller's software. There is no command in the VRC0P's protocol to do this automatically, so Premise has no way of knowing the NodeID of the VRC0P connected!

2. I think the switch and dimmer classes have options like GetAssociations and SetAssociation. Try associating the device with the node ID of the VRC0P (type in the nodeID of the VRC0P, then click set association).

3. Manually toggle a switch while observing Port Spy for an incoming packet.

4. Be sure to let me know how fast (approx milliseconds) the incoming packet arrives as I'm curious.

5. If later you also add scene or zone controllers, be sure to purchase the latest Leviton Vizia RF+ versions. I didn't test any GE stuff except the wall outlets and I could not get local feedback to work for them.