I have just added additional z wave light switches over the past the weekend to make my z wave network more robust. Every Z wave device is pretty much in line of sight of one another. However, I still have intermittent activation and polling failures of my zwave kwikset locks. My 3 Kwikset locks do not always respond to my commands nor do they always poll properly. I would say they work 70-75% of the time.
My z wave light switches work 100% of the time, even the outdoor switch works without issue. I understand that the special associations and secure transmission between my VeraLite and Kwikset locks take “longer” to accomplish. My only other thoughts is that my VeraLite is located inside my router/switch/alarm panel closet.
Any other suggestions to make the Kwikset locks more reliable?
Hi dj2020,
Yeah, the door locks can be funny.
I have two Kwikset locks (one on the main door and one on the opposite side on the garage door).
I have been trying to optimize their reliability for almost 3 months and finally got somewhere.
I got some dimmer switches and put them in between Vera and the locks. From your post I see that you bought some light switches? What type of switch did you buy? The locks use encrypted protocols and the most important thing is that not every switch is capable of repeating this secured communication. I bought dimmers and switches from EVOLVE and do recommend this brand very much. Their switches and dimmers do repeat encrypted communication.
Then I noticed that during the configuration of the locks Vera sometimes switches the routes to talk to the locks. Since I wanted Vera to use the Evolve dimmer I put in between the lock and Vera I had to manually configure the route.
And this is it. The combination of putting the Evolve dimmer in as well as specifically telling Vera which route to use to talk to the locks makes this difference for me.
Polling works nearly 100%, the status is correct in 95% of the cases - and that’s fine with me since I had to learn that locks are not as easy as lights switches, dimmers (anything powered and not battery operated?)…
Hope this helps,
Flo
I your Vera is inside a metal closet, then that will greatly attenuate the signal.
Thanks for the suggestions. My VeraLite is in a regular closet. It is not encased in a metal case. I suppose it does sit next to the alarm panel metal case so that can attenuate some of the signal strength.
I am currently using GE/Jasco switches. Do these repeat secured Z wave transmissions?
Frichter09: Perhaps I do need to manually configure the nodes. What part of the settings do I access to do this (assuming my GE/Jasco switches do repeat z wave encrypted signals)? If my VeraLite tries to communicate directly with my locks, it is definitely a pretty far distance. But if I can force the Z wave signal to leap across my light switch nodes, this may solve my problems.
@dj2020,
What kind of switches? Not all can handle nice communication with FLiRS (Frequently Listening Routing Slaves), such as Kwikset locks. The last “link” must be able to support “beaming”…those that don’t won’t help “dead spots” from occurring.
Leviton switches cannot (but my VRSC1 says it can), and some (most) GE switches can (I think the firmware version has to end it “a”, like “3.0a”).
Sorry about that, your reply came in while I was typing mine and was distracted by work stuff!
The GE/Jasco should support beaming, look for the version # on the switches.
Have you healed the network since you installed them?
What do have for “AutoRoute” & “AllRoutesFailed” variables for the lock? Click the wrench, then Advanced tab…scroll down to find the variables.
[quote=“dj2020, post:4, topic:171436”]Thanks for the suggestions. My VeraLite is in a regular closet. It is not encased in a metal case. I suppose it does sit next to the alarm panel metal case so that can attenuate some of the signal strength.
I am currently using GE/Jasco switches. Do these repeat secured Z wave transmissions?
Frichter09: Perhaps I do need to manually configure the nodes. What part of the settings do I access to do this (assuming my GE/Jasco switches do repeat z wave encrypted signals)? If my VeraLite tries to communicate directly with my locks, it is definitely a pretty far distance. But if I can force the Z wave signal to leap across my light switch nodes, this may solve my problems.[/quote]
You will see that under device options in the settings tab for the locks.
It should say manual z-wave route (advanced). You just need to enter the id number of your GE/Jasco switch in there and it will use the switch to route the info from there on. Can you sent me the exact model number of the switch you have?
Maybe I can figure out if they support the secured repeating.
Be careful when it comes to beaming. This does not necessarily mean the devive is capable of repeating ENCRYPTED signals.
This is the link to the dimmer I got and please note that repeating of encrypted signals is especially mentioned here:
http://store.homeseer.com/store/Evolve-LRM-AS-Z-Wave-Dimming-Wall-Switch-P1023.aspx
Flo
PurdueGuy: Thanks for helping. When I click on the GE/Jasco switch closest to the Kwikset lock, it shows
AutoRoute: 3-15,5-15,6-15,4-17
AllRoutesFailed: 0
I have healed the network after installing the new switches. After the heal, most devices have 4-5 stars. Even my outdoor switch has 5 stars. All nodes show Configured with a green check mark.
Thoughts?
What does the route for the lock itself say?
PurdueGuy, here are the variables in the Advanced tab of my locks.
Lock #1
Autoroute: 4.33-79x,6.33-79x,32-81,4-83
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Lock#2
AutoRoute: 3-80,32-81,4-84,6.3-90
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Lock#3
AutoRoute: 4.33-99x,6.33-99x,4-104,32.4.33-107
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Frichter09: The model number for my GE/Jasco switches are GE 45609.
[quote=“dj2020, post:10, topic:171436”]PurdueGuy, here are the variables in the Advanced tab of my locks.
Lock #1
Autoroute: 4.33-79x,6.33-79x,32-81,4-83
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Lock#2
AutoRoute: 3-80,32-81,4-84,6.3-90
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Lock#3
AutoRoute: 4.33-99x,6.33-99x,4-104,32.4.33-107
AllRoutesFailed: 0[/quote]
The routes are n.n.n.n-score(x), where you can have 1-4 ‘n’ entries. Those with an x at the end mean it failed, and Vera won’t use those routes. So Vera has some routes to each lock, but those scores are in the same range as mine (mine are all sub 100), so they should work.
I’m afraid I’m at a loss. It should work, but lately, should and reality for me aren’t necessarily coinciding!
[quote=“dj2020, post:10, topic:171436”]PurdueGuy, here are the variables in the Advanced tab of my locks.
Lock #1
Autoroute: 4.33-79x,6.33-79x,32-81,4-83
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Lock#2
AutoRoute: 3-80,32-81,4-84,6.3-90
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Lock#3
AutoRoute: 4.33-99x,6.33-99x,4-104,32.4.33-107
AllRoutesFailed: 0
Frichter09: The model number for my GE/Jasco switches are GE 45609.[/quote]
Do u have any chance to look at the version? If it ends with an “a” like PurdueGuy mentioned it should be able to repeat the encrypted signal. What u can do is, change the route to the switch and let it re-configure. If it does re-configure the lock successfully, it works, if not - well then you know 
LOL. I know how you feel about “should” and “reality”.
I guess the next thing I will try is unplug my VeraLite from my alarm panel, move it from the closet, and test the unit out with it plunked down in front of my Kwikset locks after a full heal.
PurdueGuy: Does your polling and lock activation work 100% of the time? How close is your Vera from your locks?
Frichter09:
My GE/Jasco switches show ver: 6,2,97,3,20.
It looks like it does not end in “a”. So these switches are unable to repeat an encrypted z wave signal? This whole time, my VeraLite has been trying to communicate with my Kwikset locks directly and not via the other nodes in between?
[quote=“dj2020, post:13, topic:171436”]PurdueGuy: Does your polling and lock activation work 100% of the time? How close is your Vera from your locks?[/quote]My polling and lock/unlock I think are 100%* of the time.
[quote=“dj2020, post:14, topic:171436”]Frichter09:
My GE/Jasco switches show ver: 6,2,97,3,20.
It looks like it does not end in “a”. So these switches are unable to repeat an encrypted z wave signal? This whole time, my VeraLite has been trying to communicate with my Kwikset locks directly and not via the other nodes in between?[/quote]
I think you have to look at the package/switch itself, not the version reported in Vera. I have some at home I can check later on.
[quote=“PurdueGuy, post:16, topic:171436”][quote=“dj2020, post:14, topic:171436”]Frichter09:
My GE/Jasco switches show ver: 6,2,97,3,20.
It looks like it does not end in “a”. So these switches are unable to repeat an encrypted z wave signal? This whole time, my VeraLite has been trying to communicate with my Kwikset locks directly and not via the other nodes in between?[/quote]
I think you have to look at the package/switch itself, not the version reported in Vera. I have some at home I can check later on.[/quote]
Yes, it should be on the switch.
Im keeping my fingers crossed that its 2.0a or 3.0a.
Its hard to say from here what route Vera is using right now. You could open up the log, then poll the locks and then you will know.
Anyways,
why dont you just change the route to manual and let the device re-configure? If it does not work then you simply delete the manual route again. This way you will know if your GE/Jasco does support this function…
For what it’s worth, I have 5 GE switches (that I had installed before, but not now) and they are all marked as “Ver 3.0b” on the back.
[quote=“frichter09, post:7, topic:171436”]Be careful when it comes to beaming. This does not necessarily mean the devive is capable of repeating ENCRYPTED signals.
…
Flo[/quote]This does not seem to match what I have read. Many devices can repeat. But not many devices can “beam” messages. Beaming refers to being able to “wake up” a battery device, to send it a signal. One of the discussions I’d read before is here: http://forum.micasaverde.com/index.php/topic,7479.msg47796.html#msg47796