Aeotec Multisensor 6 (AEZW100A) - anyone used it?

Other Devices & Integrations Door Locks & Sensors
81

I have a new update.
On July 4th I was able to successfully able to pair the MultiSensor 6 to my Vera Edge using the method I posted here on the 4th.

Yesterday, I received two additional sensors and attempted to add them to the VeraEdge without success. I get the same problem others have reported “Purging associations”.

I selected one of the new MultiSensors. Under “Advanced”, selected “Variables” tab, and documented the firmwareinfo = 134,0,32094. It was the same in the other new Sensor I attempted to install.

Next, I check the same thing on the sensor that I successfully installed on the 4th and noted the firmwareinfo = 134,0,51167. :o

It looks like there is a firmware problem with the MultiSensor used on VeraEdge. I contacted support at Aeotec but have not received a reply.

BTW, I removed one of the new sensors from my VeraEdge, and installed it on my VeraLite and it works fine.

Tom

82

Tom,

Did you buy all the sensors from the same store?

83

@Tom

Was that UI5 or UI7?

84

user1121,
The sensor that I installed July 4th was purchased from thesmartesthouse.com and it did included batteries. This sensor has firmwareinfo 134,0,51167 and works except UV which I don’t care about.

The two new sensors that I installed yesterday and do not work were purchased from amazon.com and did not include batteries. These sensors have firmwareinfo 134,0,32094 and do not work (purging associations).

Two different stores, two different firmware versions.

badvlad,
For the VeraEdge I have the current UI7 ver 1.7.1248.
For the VeraLite I have UI5 ver 1.5.672

Tom

85

Not sure why you say 2 different firmware versions because I double compared those 2 numbers and they are exactly the same… and the seller on amazon.com is exactly thesmartesthouse.com…

[quote=“ZW-Tom, post:84, topic:187238”]user1121,
The sensor that I installed July 4th was purchased from thesmartesthouse.com and it did included batteries. This sensor has firmwareinfo 134,0,51167 and works except UV which I don’t care about.

The two new sensors that I installed yesterday and do not work were purchased from amazon.com and did not include batteries. These sensors have firmwareinfo 134,0,51167 and do not work (purging associations).

Two different stores, two different firmware versions.

badvlad,
For the VeraEdge I have the current UI7 ver 1.7.1248.
For the VeraLite I have UI5 ver 1.5.672

Tom[/quote]

86

glavewu,
I made a typing error. I corrected my post to reflect 134,0,32094 for the sensors that do not work with VeraEdge.

Tom

87

@ZW-Tom, I’ve been working with Vera Control to be able to include my new sensor as of this morning with no success. After your post I went back to find out where I bought my five motions sensors (w/o batteries) from Home Controls, looking at the three sensors I attempted to install all have parameter “FirmwareInfo: 134,0,32094” and all have purging problems (no pun intended). Question to you, I’m assuming that this is the motion sensor’s firmware, when I talked to Aeotec Customer support earlier this week they indicated that the latest sensor firmware is version 1.04 and was contained in Parameter “VersionInfo: 3,4,5,1,4”. Based on what you’ve uncovered it sounds like this is an Aeotec problem that needs a fix ASAP. Mike

88

Mike,

Aeotec replied to me and I am correct. There is a OTA firmware update, but to install it you need a Z-Stick or other USb Z-Wave Adapter to install the firmware update. If not, you will need to wait for the next Vera UI update which should include the update for the Multisensor 6.

I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for Vera Control to update UI7 because I would pass-out or die. :cry:

Tom

89

And pray tell how much is this z-stick going to cost me and which one I see three flavors (I’m assuming ZW090-A for $45)? I take it that there is no ETA for the next UI7 update. I just sent a email to Aeotec stating your findings and requested a fix… ::slight_smile: will see

[quote=“ZW-Tom, post:88, topic:187238”]Mike,

Aeotec replied to me and I am correct. There is a OTA firmware update, but to install it you need a Z-Stick or other USb Z-Wave Adapter to install the firmware update. If not, you will need to wait for the next Vera UI update which should include the update for the Multisensor 6.

I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for Vera Control to update UI7 because I would pass-out or die. :cry:

Tom[/quote]

90

So far they have held their word and every month around the same time an update is released. That would mean two weeks until the next update and I’m sure your not the only one waiting or this is this the only device they are working on.

If it makes you feel any better this device also doesn’t work on other controllers too (read amazon and other websites reviews), just incase you thinking we are the only ones with a fresh new device that doesn’t work.

91

@integlikewhoa, I appreciate you optimism what bothers me is that I just was on the phone this morning with Vera Control Customer Service and not once did it ever come up in the conversation that a fix was going to be imminent nor was a rough time-frame expressed, I’ll spend the $45 to be able to get OTA firmware updates… Not sure why VERA isn’t able to perform this function as this is not the first Gen 5 device to hit the market. Mike

So far they have held their word and every month around the same time an update is released. That would mean two weeks until the next update and I’m sure your not the only one waiting or this is this the only device they are working on.

If it makes you feel any better this device also doesn’t work on other controllers too (read amazon and other websites reviews), just incase you thinking we are the only ones with a fresh new device that doesn’t work.[/quote]

92

Hey Mike,
I’m not sure why Aeotec told me that I would need a Z-Stick for the upgrade. When I updated the firmware for the 4-in-1 sensor, I downloaded the update from Aeotec, plugged the the sensor in to a USB port on my computer and did the upgrade from my computer. This tells me that the USB cable on the Multisensor 6 is power only, although the number of PIN’s on the power connector would suggest otherwise. If it is power only, it would only be able to update firmware through the Z-Wave controller.

This is an Aeotec firmware issue. I just don’t understand how I got one of the first Multisensor 6 delivered because of pre-order, and it came with the current firmware, but three weeks later, I get two more with outdated firmware and no batteries. Aeotec held up deliveries to insure the sensor would be compatible with most controllers. That’s what I was told by the smartesthouse people anyway.

BTW, I have two Honeywell Z-Wave Thermostats, and when I press the Action button on the Multisensor 6 to include it in the VeraEdge, the Thermostats are changed to 78 degrees, and one of my GE outdoor modules turns off. What makes this even more interesting is that it seems to be a direct device to device transmit because Vera console still shows the Temp at 72, and the outdoor module is on.

integlikewhoa,
Six months of UI7 updates to get it to the point where I can actually transition from VeraLite with UI5 to VeraEdge and have a working network was a lesson learned not to hold my breath.

Tom

93

Tom,
Interesting point re the USB cable, it would be a shame if they only wired the sensor for power only. I too had talked to Aeotec about updating firmware I made mention that I updated my Gen 5 MiniMote using a Aeotec provide firmware utility via a USB cable and asked about doing the same with motion sensor he inferred that it had to be done via OTA. I sent an email yesterday requesting that they confirm the Firmware differences and provide a means to update, still awaiting a response.

Also sent a email to Vera Control and received the following response;

Cristina Gradinaru replied:

Hello Michael,
We have in our ofice this type of sensor and when we added for the first time with Vera Edge we didn?t encounter issues.
I don?t know exactly what firmware those sensors are runnig but I?ll ask one of my colleagues on Monday to check and test it one more time.
You can also ask the support team from Aeotec to help you upgrade the firmware on your Aeotec 6 in 1 sensors.
As far as know those devices are not fully supported by Vera, it will not report UV and vibration but we have reported this to our development team and they are working on this.
Thank you for your understanding and have a nice weekend

[quote=“ZW-Tom, post:92, topic:187238”]Hey Mike,
I’m not sure why Aeotec told me that I would need a Z-Stick for the upgrade. When I updated the firmware for the 4-in-1 sensor, I downloaded the update from Aeotec, plugged the the sensor in to a USB port on my computer and did the upgrade from my computer. This tells me that the USB cable on the Multisensor 6 is power only, although the number of PIN’s on the power connector would suggest otherwise. If it is power only, it would only be able to update firmware through the Z-Wave controller.

This is an Aeotec firmware issue. I just don’t understand how I got one of the first Multisensor 6 delivered because of pre-order, and it came with the current firmware, but three weeks later, I get two more with outdated firmware and no batteries. Aeotec held up deliveries to insure the sensor would be compatible with most controllers. That’s what I was told by the smartesthouse people anyway.

BTW, I have two Honeywell Z-Wave Thermostats, and when I press the Action button on the Multisensor 6 to include it in the VeraEdge, the Thermostats are changed to 78 degrees, and one of my GE outdoor modules turns off. What makes this even more interesting is that it seems to be a direct device to device transmit because Vera console still shows the Temp at 72, and the outdoor module is on.

integlikewhoa,
Six months of UI7 updates to get it to the point where I can actually transition from VeraLite with UI5 to VeraEdge and have a working network was a lesson learned not to hold my breath.

Tom[/quote]

94

I have a Vera 3 with UI5-1.5.672 and have no plans to update to UI7 or Vera Edge. I do have interest in the Multisensor 6. I have read some users have problems after using this sensor on UI5 but others like Nutron and hellraiser state it works very nicely. ZW-Tom mentioned some problems but apparantly again connected this sensor to Vera lite on UI5.
How are the experiences now, could you please give an update ?
Many thanks in advance.

I use already two new GEN5/Zwave plus devices for a few months (Aeon labs siren and Zwave.me plugin switch IP44) and don’t experience any problems. So why should those zwave plus chips give problems on Vera 3 ?

95

Tom,
Received the following response from Aeotec;

I apologize for the delay in response.

The firmware version doesn’t exactly label out what the firmwarr is. Can you send me the VersionInfo of the multisensor? Right now i am working on getting the OTA file and i should be able to get it next week.

Aeotec is fixating on the Version rather than Firmware (no sure why) I provided (see below) part of my device parameter file:

Capabilities 211,156,1,4,33,1,L,R,B,RS,|48S:1,49S:5,89S,94S,112S,113S:3,114S,115S,122S,128S,132S,133S,134S,152S
NodeInfo 30S,31S,59S,5eS,70S,71S,72S,73S,7aS,80S,84S,85S,86S,98S,
ManufacturerInfo 134,258,100
[glow=red,2,300]VersionInfo 3,4,5,1,4[/glow]
SensorMlType 1,3,5,27
PlusInfo 1,6,0,12,7,12,7
[glow=green,2,300]FirmwareInfo 134,0,32094[/glow]

Can you confirm the same with your two different (Firmware) versions?
Also I picked up a Aeotec Z-stick in the hopes of updating my 5 motions sensors to the latest firmware, not sure how this actually accomplished would think I would have to include the motion devices to the Z-Stick? Mike

96

Mike,
The firmwareinfo # 134,0,32094 is the problem. We need firmwarinfo # 134,0,51167.
Aeotec has a firmware upgrade procedure that allows for an OTA (Over-The-Air) firmware upgrade. The OTA is pending with Aeotec but should be out sometime next week.

To complete the OTA, you will need the firmware installer software “XXX Gen5.exe” and the new firmware from Aeotec.

Contact Aeotec and ask for a copy of the “OTA Instructions for Aeon Labs Gen5 Product.pdf”. This is the complete OTA installation procedure with pictures.

You will need to unpair the Multisensor from Vera and pair it with the Z-Stick. After you have completed the OTA upgrade, unpair from the Z-Stick and pair it with Vera using the Multisensor 4-in-1 (using 1 click pair, NOT 2). With any luck, this will fix the problem.

WARNING: I have, on several cases, paired the Multisensor using secure pair (double click action button) to include in Vera. I have several old z-wave devices that have been affected during this process causing malfunction following this process. It only happens during secure pairing.

I have a Z-Stick Gen5 and am waiting for Aeotec to release the OTA. I will let you know when I get it.

Tom

97

Tom,
many thanxs for the information, out of curiosity with whom in Aeotec are you conversing with. I’ve been talking with Chris Cheng (Customer support) and would have thought I too would get the same message/information. I was unaware that the OTA release was still outstanding (not available until next week) from Aeotec I guess that’s what one gets when one is on the “bleeding edge”…

On a slightly different note, I started another thread in hopes of being able to use this new Z-stick for something other than OTA like being able to include/exclude remote devices without move Vera… this was the response I got; Mike

While you can certainly have the Z-Stick be a secondary controller, only the master controller can include new devices into the network. In this case, only teh Vera Edge would be able to include new devices.

There are a couple of options. The first option is that Gen5(Z-Wave Plus) supports Network Wide Inclusion(NWI). This allows you to include a new device anywhere in the Gen5 network, without moving the controller. The issue with this is that if your network is mostly the older generation Z-Wave devices, then NWI is less likely to work as desired.

The second option is to use the Z-Stick as the primary controller, with it plugged int to your Vera Edge. With a simple setting change in Vera, you can forgo the Vera Edge’s built-in Z-Wave radio chip and use the Z-Stick as Vera’s radio instead. With this setup, you can, power off your Vera, unplug the Z-Stick, take it and perform your inclusion, and then bring it back and plug it into Vera.

[ul][li]2nd question will the Z-stick be able to perform OTA updates, if so how?[/li][/ul]
Yes, the Z-Stick can perform OTA updates and I think it can even do so as a secondary controller, though I haven't verified this.

Unless your controller has a method for doing OTA updates(Vera does not yet), then in order to perform OTA updates, you would have to plug the Z-Stick into a PC and run the necessary software. The only example of this, that I’ve seen on the consumer market, is Aeon labs own firmware updates. These are simply a Windows .exe file that you run with the Z-Stick plugged in.[/quote]

98

Hi Mike,

I’m working with Chris at Aeotec. I received an email from him today stating the following:
“They should be available now, I am working on getting the OTA files right now from our engineering team to be used and available on our firmware update page.”

The instructions for the OTA upgrade procedure should be included with the firmware update.

Tom

99

So just to validate, if we wait for the next update from Vera, we will not need to get an Aeotec Z-wave stick to do the updates?

100

No one says it will be in the next update. Vera has alot of bugs already to fix with many devices some from long, long ago. Where this is on their list and how many of the existing bugs or new ones will actually get fixed in the next update is anyone’s guess at this point. So best bet is not to plan on it being fixed in the next update so your not disappointed if it don’t happen.