HA System Recommendations?
- Thread starter DLONG2
- Start date
- May 17, 2017
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- 466
The major issue I am having is getting an HS door/window sensor on an outdoors gate to consistently connect to the HS Z-Wave network. Oddly the Tamper status is seen but not always the Open/Closed and battery status. When it works and is opened I can trigger a cloned camera to take a snapshot and email it and push out a notification. Getting repeaters outside has been an issue. The same gate has a cheapie wireless chime sensor attached, and that works well, so I am wondering what other options I might have besides Z-Wave.
Take a look at WiFi sensors - Sonoff (with tasmota firmware) and Shelly.
You'd need a stable wifi router/ap like ubiquity's ac lite/ac lr access point models.
You'd need a stable wifi router/ap like ubiquity's ac lite/ac lr access point models.
Is the connection being made with version 5 z-wave devices? I set up a system with a detached garage perhaps 50 feet from the house and it worked without problem. This is on an all z-wave 5 system. But there are probably multiple paths between the house and garage. I have never looked at the z-wave paths because that system has worked without issue.
I've never done a sparse z-wave system. The systems I have done have a lot of mains routing devices. So I'm not sure how z-wave works with just a few always on devices. Wifi might work better with only a few devices.
- May 17, 2017
- 782
- 466
I have a Ubiquiti network with APs, but I am needing a battery-operated passive magnetic switch/sensor, similar to what the HomeSeer uses (HS-DS100+). The Sonoff looks to need local power.
dmiller: I am using HS3 with the SmartStick+ USB interface, and the HS-DS100+ door/window sensors.
How many router z-wave nodes besides the smartstick?
BTW, I don't think the tamper sensor report is designed to automatically reset to off/null.
- May 17, 2017
- 782
- 466
I have just a handful of z-wave door/window sensors, and only the one on the gate is currently in use. I also have a z-wave AC switch which I use as a repeater outdoors to try to extend the range to the gate. The PC was relocated to the middle of the home; I know I need more repeaters; getting a consistent signal to the gate has been an issue with the brick facade and distance...
@DLONG2, as you know we have an extensive HS3 and Z-Wave setup. I would try this:
1. Z-Net
2. Ecolink Door/window sensors. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5HB4U5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. BI plugin from beerygaz.
We have the above sensor on an outdoor gate, taped shut to keep the snow and rain out and it performs flawlessly.
We also use SDJ-Health to monitor our battery powered devices and this seems to help quite a bit. The only ones that it doesn’t catch properly are the Zooz sensors.
We have about 50 HS-DW100 dimmers, 50 battery powered sensors, mostly Ecolink (the best in my opinion), a few Kwikset locks and some plugin dimmers from DragonTech.
1. Z-Net
2. Ecolink Door/window sensors. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5HB4U5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
3. BI plugin from beerygaz.
We have the above sensor on an outdoor gate, taped shut to keep the snow and rain out and it performs flawlessly.
We also use SDJ-Health to monitor our battery powered devices and this seems to help quite a bit. The only ones that it doesn’t catch properly are the Zooz sensors.
We have about 50 HS-DW100 dimmers, 50 battery powered sensors, mostly Ecolink (the best in my opinion), a few Kwikset locks and some plugin dimmers from DragonTech.
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Dlong, I fought a similar battle until I ran across a guy who suggested using a z-wave dry contact sensor hard wired to a overhead roll up door sensor. I have the dry contact sensor in my garage within a good range of the z-wave network in my house and the wires ran outside to my gate. I create a virtual device for gate status and trigger my PTZ presets when the gate is opened. If this is something that might work for you, I can get you specific model info of the parts I used.
HomeSeer HS-FLS100+ Z-Wave Plus Floodlight Sensor – HomeSeer Store
I use this outside and it is pretty nice in function and could also help your range issue depending on placement.
A sparse zwave network is going to perform poorly so get some outdoor devices and get as close as you can.
If you wanted to change directions I would suggest an alarm sensor. They have much better range!
Many homeauto systems have a way to integrate an alarm.
I use this outside and it is pretty nice in function and could also help your range issue depending on placement.
A sparse zwave network is going to perform poorly so get some outdoor devices and get as close as you can.
If you wanted to change directions I would suggest an alarm sensor. They have much better range!
Many homeauto systems have a way to integrate an alarm.
I would second the z-net suggestion. I’m currently using two of them in a 3500 sqft home and five of them in a 21,000 sqft business building without any issue. The other key is to have several powered devices setup to create a strong mesh network before adding battery devices.
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