Bring The Device To Vera or Take Vera To The Device?

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

While I appreciate the Vera Lite I have has a portable battery facility, I was wondering if there was a hard an fast rule as to whether you should always install the device and then bring Vera to it, or (as I have been doing) take the device to Vera get it included and then go off and positioning it?

So far with movement and door sensors I’ve not had an issue ?

I accept that for light and power sockets Vera has to go to them have (for obvious reasons)

Thoughts please?

2

I have always included the devices with out moving the vera unit. Most of the time I install the device in it’s permanent location and include the device using full power inclusion with the Vera unit in it’s permanent spot.

  • Garrett
3

[quote=“garrettwp, post:2, topic:171729”]I have always included the devices with out moving the vera unit. Most of the time I install the device in it’s permanent location and include the device using full power inclusion with the Vera unit in it’s permanent spot.

  • Garrett[/quote]
    Really? Interesting. I always take Vera to the device in its installed location. Then again, I don’t know what “full power inclusion” is…
4

Full power inclusion is the way to go if you can reach your devices with it, failing that, I use the Aeon dongle (2.78). It’s a PITA to take Vera to the device, period. Even if you don’t have serial stuff hanging from her.

Locks should be within a few feet on inclusion due to the security key exchange and the time it takes to process the inclusion, so the ones I’ve done, I’ve had the locks on a bench next to Vera and then installed them in the doors after, same for outlets and switches (on occasion) included on the bench and then installed at their final location.

Even though the written documentation states the device must be installed in it’s final location and then do the inclusion, that’s all hype, B.S. &/or lies - IMO.

5

JOD provided a more detailed answer than mine. But I rarely move my Vera and use full power inclusion. I either pair the device near Vera or use full power inclusion. Locks and a few devices (e.g. Monster scene controllers need to be close to Vera).

  • Garrett
6

The reason for having the device in its final position is that the device can then determine its immediate neighbors. ZWave uses a mesh network, where a command is passed from module to module, necessary when a module is not in direct range of the controller issuing the command.

If all of your modules are in range of each other, then no problem which one you move when pairing. If not, then the device needs to be positioned where it is going to live.

As an alternative though, you can do a network Heal. This function will go through and recalculate everyone’s neighbors. A network heal will also work if you later need to move a module.

7

My view there certain devices I take Vera to … locks and Leviton scene switches. I don’t use a battery but use the cord and a WIFI to network connection. There are quite a few ways for connecting devices.

8
The reason for having the device in its final position is that the device can then determine its immediate neighbors
Neighbors and routing are two different things.

Routing is not determined at, during or after the inclusion process and why usually the instructions go on to say to perform a heal/repair of the network after each and every node included or excluded. Which should be re-worded because you can include many devices at a time if needed.

There are devices purported to be on the horizon that will allow inclusion through another process, but until that day… What we’ve been led to believe, is bunk.

9

[quote=“garrettwp, post:5, topic:171729”]JOD provided a more detailed answer than mine. But I rarely move my Vera and use full power inclusion. I either pair the device near Vera or use full power inclusion. Locks and a few devices (e.g. Monster scene controllers need to be close to Vera).

  • Garrett[/quote]

Just for an opposing opinion full power inclusion has never worked for me with my Vera 2. Even a switch that was just physically across the room (basement) from the Vera 2 with no obstructions did not work with full power inclusion. I always take the Vera to the device to include, and after including I run a heal to get the neighbors correct.

10

Maybe your V2 has some of issue then? Perhaps the old loose antenna problem?!

Full power inclusion works on most devices for me!

11

Same here. Wondering if the routes to @ufd108’s devices show a lot of hops.

Regardless, in-situ inclusion of the device (through full-power or taking Vera to it) I like best.

12

[quote=“strangely, post:10, topic:171729”]Maybe your V2 has some of issue then? Perhaps the old loose antenna problem?!

Full power inclusion works on most devices for me![/quote]

What is the loose antenna issue? My Vera 2 is no longer reaching many of my devices direct, creating lots of hops.

13

See this topic.