How compatible is the Leviton ViziaRF with the ELKM1?

[cipherwar]

I have a relatively new ElkM1 installation and would like to start adding some Zwave devices. My most immediate need would be an appliance module to control a transformer connected to landscape lighting as well as some switch modules. Will the M1XSP along with the LEVITON ViziaRf allow me to interface with devices mentioned in the Hot Deals section under "Another Radio Shack Z-Wave sale!" I would post the link but since I am relatively new here this system won't let me post links yet.

Thanks

 

[electron]

hi cipherwar, you should be able to post links now.

The only reliable way to interface Z-Wave is by using the Leviton VRC0P interface, which works with most Z-Wave devices except for the ones which require the Z-Wave beaming feature, such as the Locks/Dead Bolts Leviton is working on a new version of this unit, but from what I have heard, it won't be available for another few months.

 

[cipherwar]

Thanks for the reply. So just to make sure, the VRC0P-1LW will work in conjunction with the M1XSP with the ViziaRF firmware load? This combo will give me the best Zwave interface for the M1?


Thanks

 

[electron]

I believe so, even ELK admits the VRC0P interface is better than their own product, because it takes a lot of resources to support Z-Wave. I don't have this combo tho, so if you really want to make sure, you'll have to wait for people who do use this hardware.

 

[rjsmith0]

Thanks for the reply. So just to make sure, the VRC0P-1LW will work in conjunction with the M1XSP with the ViziaRF firmware load? This combo will give me the best Zwave interface for the M1?

This is currently what I am running. I purchased several switches and thermostats from the recent RadioShack sale and they are running fine with my M1G using a VRC0P. I did have to set jumper S8 to 1 (non-polled mode) before my thermostats would start working. I have noticed that since doing this, my switch statuses aren't always updating to reflect the current status if it is switched outside the M1G, but I am still working with it.

Also, be sure to check the thread I started here: http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18345 about potentially using the MiCasaVerde instead of the VRC0P. I don't think it has been proven as a replacement yet, but it could prove to be a powerful alternative to the VRC0P.

Joe

 

[electron]

So I got my hands on a Leviton VRC0P, and wanted to give it a try with my ELK M1. I upgraded the firmware on the XSP with the ViziaRF version, adjusted jumpers, and gave Thermostat #1 in ELK RP a name. I am added the VRC0P to my Z-Wave network using the Vera 2 controller, but not sure if that's enough for this to work. Can someone please be kind enough to mention the steps required to make this work with the M1.

 

[ddennerline]

I setup my Z-Wave VRC0P/M1XSP lighting system using ControlThinkPro and Leviton RF Installer Toolkit. I took this approach, believing (perhaps falsely), because the full benefits of bidirectional feedback can only be achieved using Leviton controllers and switches. The Leviton switches will still operate correctly with Vera, but will not have the advanced association’s capability. I believe third party controllers use a combination of HAIL and polling.

You may be able to check to see if VRC0P/M1XSP integration is working by determining the lights Node-ID and entering this value into the lighting section of ElkRP. The ElkRP Lighting > DeviceID matches the Z-Wave Node-ID. If you create a rule below and manually toggle the switch, it’s an indicator that integration is working. You could also use Elk Remote Keyboard.

WHENEVER OutsideLights [2 (A2) IS TURNED ON
THEN ANNOUCE OutsideLights [2 (A2)]

 

[electron]

So far I have not been able to make this work. Vera 2 shows the VRC0P listed as part of the network, even added added a light to the ElkRP lighting database with the correct node #, but I have no control, and not receiving data from my thermostat.

 

[ddennerline]

I cannot speak to the Z-Wave thermostat issue or using Vera primary controller. ControlThinkPro is my primary controller. Leviton now offers a repackaged version as Leviton RF Installer Toolkit. This is especially important if you are using Leviton Vizia+ products because CTPro/RFIT understands how to configure the associations, scenes, and groups. I have used RFIT also – albeit I used CTPro USB stick instead instead of fully support RFIT USB stick.

If you want to verify that VRC0P has been correctly “updated”, you will have to use LumenLink or Hyperterminal. Unfortunately, the LumenLink download is no longer available; hopefully JohnnyNine can provide a new link on the Elve website. If you use Hyper-terminal, then you can use http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=18346&st=15 provides links to protocol specification. I have used Hyperterminal approach to play around.

To get a multi-vendor Z-Wave solution working, you would probably have to use a PC-based HA solution that talks directly to Elk. You would then not need a VRC0P. The VRC0P/M1XSP solution still has a few limitations that I hope Elk will eventually correct.

 

[ddennerline]

I added the following task that turns Z-Wave node-id 7 ON through the M1XSP/VRC0P at address 5. I tested and it works.

Whenever Light 7 On (Task 7) IS ACTIVATED
THEN SEND THE FOLLOWING TEXT: ”>?N7ON^M^J” THROUGH PORT 5

 

[electron]

While I was able to add the VRC0P to the Z-Wave network via the Vera 2 controller, I just found out about 'associations'. I guess this is something I have to play around with as well before this stops working. I'll do some more testing when I get home, if that doesn't work, then I'll try the HyperTerminal approach. Thanks for the tip!

 

[etc6849]

I'm curious how well the VRC0P works with the M1G also... Do the Leviton Vizia RF switches require polling from the Elk or does the two way feedback work correctly? Do Vizia RF scenes work?

My setup:
Premise is a free HA program that works great with the Elk M1G and offers full integration with the M1G. With Premise you'll be able to do neat things like send custom text to keypads showing weather data, use keypad buttons to trigger scripts for anything connected to Premise, arm/disarm, and most importantly use zone triggering within Premise to control occupancy state changes to automate lights, thermostat set backs etc... Premise also has a very nice VRC0P module that is open-source. Currently, it supports many z-wave technologies (including groups,scenes,motion, humidity, temperature and thermostats), but doesn't support z-wave locks. Markh or I will likely add this ability when the new VRC0P comes out.
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/index.php?showforum=51
http://www.cocoontech.com/wiki/Premise

 

[electron]

I located LumenLink, in case anyone else is interested:

http://poundingcode.com/j9AutomationEngineDownload/LumenLink.aspx

 

[ddennerline]

I don’t have a large number of lights and only controlling one floor. Basic on/off functionality for both single lights and groups work correctly. Two-way feedback does work. As far I can tell, the Vizia/X1XSP firmware does not poll any of the devices.
The lighting status is not always correct according to ElkKeypad. Mostly this is defect in the M1XSP – it does not send a group update. I had to add in the kludge below. In playing around with this using HyperTerminal, I appeared that list of lights returned was not 100% consistent. I am thinking that polling cannot be totally eliminated, but severely reduced using Vizia+ associations.

a. WHENEVER Group1[129(I1)] IS TURNED ON BY THE M1 
                        THEN TURN Output 19 ON FOR 2 SECS
b. WHENEVER Group1[129(I1)] IS TURNED OFF BY THE M1 
                        THEN TURN Output 19 ON FOR 2 SECS
c. WHENEVER Output 19 STATE IS TURNED OFF 
                        THEN SEND THE FOLLOWING TEXT:”>?GR1^M^J” THROUGH PORT 1

Also, I am pretty certain that Z-Wave scenes are not supported by ElkRP. I do believe VRC0P does support for turning scenes on/off. I know the Premise folks spent lots of time on VRC0P PC-based integration, so they could speak more about this capability.

I am hoping Elk updates the M1XSP firmware to correct these limitations in next Vizia+ firmware.
1) Group update
2) Infrequent polling
3) Poll on startup
4) Scene support
5) Lock support

 

[Spanky]

Elk is waiting on the new VRCOP to update the M1XSP which will include lock support.