Devices relating to this post:
Vera Lite UI7 firmware 1.7.730
Intermatic CA600 wall switch
Aeotec MultiSensor Model DSB05-ZWUS
Utilitech Indoor siren Model TSE07-1 (same as Everspring EVS-SE812-US)
I purchased a number of the Aeotec MultiSensors, but I am encountering some issues with maintaining connectivity with the one I have outside of the house, (the ones in the house seem to maintain connectivity just fine) and was hoping some more experienced members might be able to answer my questions on troubleshooting and suggest possible solutions.
I installed one sensor below my back patio lights and on the other side of that wall is an Intermatic Ca600 wall switch. I created a scene in Vera that whenever the motion sensor detects motion to turn on the back patio light for 1 minute. It is for two purposes 1) so when the dog goes outside it turns on the light for her and 2) to turn on the back patio light if it detects someone mucking around in my backyard.
The problem I?ve encountered is it doesn?t always work and I am assuming it is losing connectivity. I was hoping someone might be able to help me with troubleshooting the issue.
Also, as a related topic I am having a similar problem with another one of the same sensors and a wireless battery operated siren that I bought to use in a recently built storage shed, (it’s about 4 foot from a Z-Wave wall outlet on the other side of a wall in the living room). The siren is a Utilitech Indoor siren Model TSE07-1 (same as Everspring EVS-SE812-US). Any answers to the questions below should help with troubleshooting this issue as well.
Is there some way I can setup Vera to send me an alert via e-mail and/or text whenever it detects that the sensor (or any device) has lost connection with the network?
How can I tell what path the sensor is taking to get back to the Vera? My guess is that it is not using the CA600 wall switch that is two feet away from it, (it was added after the sensor) as the wall switch hasn?t lost connection to the network, (as far as I can tell). If the sensor was using the wall switch as the first leg of it path back to the Vera then I would think it would maintain connectivity since they are only two feet apart, through a wall admittedly.
If I find that it is not using the CA600 as it first leg back to the Vera how can I force it to use the CA600?
Any other suggestions to troubleshoot this issue and/or improve the reliability of the sensors connections to the network.
[quote=“owensct, post:1, topic:190211”]1. Is there some way I can setup Vera to send me an alert via e-mail and/or text whenever it detects that the sensor (or any device) has lost connection with the network?[/quote]No.
2. How can I tell what path the sensor is taking to get back to the Vera? My guess is that it is not using the CA600 wall switch that is two feet away from it, (it was added after the sensor) as the wall switch hasn?t lost connection to the network, (as far as I can tell). If the sensor was using the wall switch as the first leg of it path back to the Vera then I would think it would maintain connectivity since they are only two feet apart, through a wall admittedly.
There are plugins like InfoViewer and EventWatcher that will display the routing table information. I've seen references to AltUI providing this functionality as well, though I've never used it.
3. If I find that it is not using the CA600 as it first leg back to the Vera how can I force it to use the CA600?
You can't. Your UI version does not allow the manual control of routing anymore.
4. Any other suggestions to troubleshoot this issue and/or improve the reliability of the sensors connections to the network.
First of all, realize that you are [i]assuming[/i] a connectivity issue where that might not be the case.
Have you verified that the sensor is indeed tripping?
Assuming it is, have you checked the logs to verify is Vera is or is not seeing the trip? (It may be seeing the trip but have a logic problem that prevents the scene from running.)
Assuming that it is a connectivity issue, I’d start by eliminating possibilities. You state that the sensor is on the opposite side of an exterior wall from the switch. Is the switch in a metal box that would prevent signal from going out the wall? Is the wall made out of a signal blocking material like, concrete, stone, aluminum siding, foil faced insulation? Does moving Vera closer to the sensor and allowing it to heal overnight, cause it to function correctly?
It’s extremely common for people to have mistaken assumptions about signal quality and path and for them to believe that they can do a better job with route selection than the network. They are usually incorrect in their assumptions and beliefs. If a signal issue exists, the best options to resolve it are to remove interference, relocate Vera, and/or improve the mesh with additional routing(powered) Z-Wave nodes.
Sorry for the slow response I’ve been really tied up lately, thanks for the good info. Good point about assuming. I set the one on the back patio to send me a text message whenever it trips and it seems to be maintaining connectivity. Right now it is set when tripped to turn on the patio light for two minutes and then shut it off. I’m not sure about the cycle time i.e. how long it takes to reset and turn the light back on when its tripped again.
As far as the ones in the shed goes I have not had a opportunity to pursue that further, but hope to do so soon.
FYI to anyone considering these. They seem to be good units, I have one of mine installed outside on an unprotected patio, (in Hawaii so no extreme weather, but plenty of rain and humidity). Temperature is not the most accurate, seems to be off by about 4-5 degrees. Tends towards false positives on the higher sensitivity, (the moon coming out from behind a cloud will trip it), So I am still trying to get it dialed in. This is a good thing to to bear in mind if you are going to use one of these to trigger a light, (or any other potentially neighbor annoying device) and have close neighbors. I have modified my scene so that if it’s tripped after 11:00 PM it won’t turn on the light as my neighbor’s master faces my patio and I don’t want it shining into their bedroom late at night. Also, they can be a bit of a pain to get paired with Vera properly. I had to repair my multiple times before they took correctly and all sensors showed up properly.
NOTE: I believe there is a firmware update available for these sensors so if you buy one, I would make sure it has the latest firmware before pairing it to your Vera. It might also help improve pairing performance.
If anyone has any questions about these unit, query this post and I’ll try to answer.
You can go into the device, advanced, variables and have a look down the list till you find “neighbors”.
This shows all the nodes that this node is mapped as close to.
If any of these are capable of routing the Vera and sensor will try to use them.
For example my front door sensor had the following 1,2,3,24,25
These are my Vera, boiler switch, lamp outlet and 2x motion sensors. So it sees 3 routes.
If your wall switch is not listed you can update neighbors.
Go to “device options” and hit “update neighbor nodes”.
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