Greetings, I am a new users of Vera. Of course, I just had to get the most difficult device to pair: Schlage deadbolt. I am needing some advice on what other components I am going to need to make the Z-wave network work efficiently. Let me first explain what I have.
I have had an Insteon network for quite awhile controlling it on an Apple Macintosh using Perceptive Automation Indigo software. I control three sets of outside lights and three Venstar thermostats. I recently decided to buy the Schlage deadbolt to put on the door that leads from the outside of the house into the garage. I next saw that Vera was able to control the deadbolt for a relatively low cost startup and would pay for itself in about a year over going with the Schlage iLink monthly cost. Once I got Vera to my house, I immediately went to set it up. I was surprised to see that it could also do the Insteon network. I have read that the 2414u is not supported yet and I would need to get the 2412u. Should I wait off on getting the 2412u or will the 2414u be supported soon?
Here is the issue I have been running into. I have been doing option two and bringing the Vera to the door lock (I am considering dismantling the door lock and bringing it to Vera next) by both using the battery pack and plugging it in. I have been successful in pairing the deadbolt with Vera inasmuch as the deadbolt blinks green, but when I disconnect it and set it up again on the network, it cannot find the pairing. I have finally got it to recognize the pairing now, but when I try to do anything, it says it is not configured.
Vera is set up in the basement next to my wireless cable router and hooked directly to it. The total distance between Vera and the deadbolt is 40-50 feet. There is a split stairway between the basement and the door to the garage. If you had to draw a straight line between Vera and the deadbolt you would go through a ceiling and a wall.
What would be recommended to put in to make a successful Z-wave network? I have read some of the Wikis which mostly seem to describe the Vera1 (hopefully they will be updated soon). They mention something about a beamer being put in with direct line to the deadbolt. Any help and recommendations would be appreciative. Thanks in advance.
Cant really speak for the Insteon stuff as I don’t own any, but it looks like its only partially supported at this stage. You might get some devices to switch but you wont know status I think. I’ll let others chime in on that…
For the locks, you may have to leave Vera next to the lock for a while for it to configure correctly and restart the process.
IF you want to add a device for the wake up beam support then you can go with either a GE/Jasco lamp or appliance module or most of the other GE/Jasco switches. I recommend finding a local Lowed (not all stock it so check on the internet first) or Radio shack and actually buying one while you are there! You may pay a bit more money but you can then be sure you have a device that you know has beaming… The way to tell is it will have a sticker on the container / blister pack that says Schlage link compatible and also the because its a clear blister pack you can see the back of the switches, you need to look for the part that refers to the software version and look for any device that ends with an “a” which will either be 2.0a or 3.0a etc. If the device just says 2.0 or 3.0 then it doesn’t support it.
There are other devices like some of the ACT items I think but the easiest way to be sure is the above method.
By all means, if at all possible, remove the lock from the door and take it to Vera. You can sit and watch the configration steps on the mios dashboard. It takes a few minutes to get all of the security protocols to exchange and Schlage made the lock so that it only passes security directly with the controller, not through nodes to the controller. I fussed with my LeverLock for about an hour before I got the bright idea into my head to take the lock to Vera, not Vera to the lock. You will know for sure that it has properly configured and you can test fire it from your desktop/laptop through the dashboard.
Thanks for the help. I did disassemble the lock, however, I accidently pulled out the brown wire from the plug inside the Schlage lock, but I was able to put it in. I jammed the connection in so it shouldn’t move. I am able to control the lock both from the computer and from my iphone.
I would like to hear from someone on the Insteon stuff. Is there hope that the 2414U will be supported? How has people found their Insteon network working with Vera?
Glad to hear you got the lock working. That is always a relief with such an expensive gadget. Up till now, I have been avoiding Insteon , mostly because they can be 2x the cost, but at some point soon, I’ll buy one just to tinker with. Thanks for sharing you experience in the forum.
Let me ask a question regarding z-wave networking. Do the different devices act as a repeater to each other? For instance, if I put another door lock closer in proximity to the Vera, will it relay the signals to the next device?
You are essentially correct, anything wired/plugged in to your network mesh will act as a repeater. Door locks, motion detectors, door/window sensors, etc… are the ‘battery class’ devices which must ‘sleep’ unless triggered, so they don’t repeat. If you have a door lock on the fringe of your network mesh, adding a light switch in the room/garage where the door lock is located helps. You can also add plugin lamp or appliance modules to extend the coverage.
Ok, I know there are old threads around this topic, but nothing recent. I really want to support X10 for the Christmas holidays (I have boxes of old X10 stuff). I bought the Vera because it says it supports X10… The reality is that you have to have something that you cannot buy anymore… a 2412U/S… I am happy to buy the product required, but no one sells it… So does Vera REALLY support X10 as advertised??? Some ETA on a 2414U/N or 2413U would be nice… I love my VERA but lets step up and deliver on expectations… Please?
Vera does support X-10 / Insteon and it works well for sending the On / Off commands.
A quick Google search of 2412U returned numerous hits with some saying they are in stock. Maybe someone still has some?
I know for a fact the 2414U does not work with Vera at this point in time and probably wont by the end of the year. I would suggest you send a feature request to bugs.micasaverde.com and ask that they make a compatibility change to support it.
If you check back here in a few days I may have an X-10 / Insteon / Vera update that I will post.
PLM 2413U works with Vera2 (UI4) to control Insteon Non Dual Band devices(Not tried RF devices). I use to control two ON/OFF switches and I get a status update too.
Best Home Automation shopping experience. Shop at Ezlo!
Please?