New VeraEdge

Community Playground Getting Started & Initial Setup
1

Maybe Vera is just not for me…

I got the new VeraEdge and a GE 45603 light module to test with. The controller finds the device and adds it to my devices. I am able to turn on/off the device if its within 3 ft of the controller, past that and it doesn’t work.

Also, got the Schlage lock, it worked once and now cannot connect. Also have a MyQ gateway, save that for another day…

Any tips for a new/lost user?

Thanks for the assistance

2

Distance, or more specifically radio frequency(RF) range is dependent on your environment. Things like metal junction boxes, or appliances will block the Z-Wave radio signal. Concrete walls and tile will also shorten the range. Interference is another factor that can severely affect the range. Things like baby monitors that operate in the 900MHz frequency band are also known to cause major issues to Z-Wave network range.

My recommendation is to eliminate obvious possible interference issues. Then exclude the lock until you have determine your likely maximum range. Include the 45603 and then test different locations for range. It may be helpful to plug the 45603 into an extension cord during testing. The 45603 is great for this type of testing and if it is the only device in your Z-Wave network then there is no routing to confuse matters, your directly testing the range between Vera and the module.

3

Thanks for the reply…

I did remove/unpaired the lock as you suggested. Then I paired the GE module and plugged it in a long power strip in the same room as the controller. I triggered it on/off gradually moving it away from the controller. It stopped responding close to 4ft away from the controller.

I get what you say regarding radio waves…etc, but i can’t believe i have that much interference to only get 4ft away from my controller.

4

[quote=“jaymar8, post:3, topic:184931”]I get what you say regarding radio waves…etc, but i can’t believe i have that much interference to only get 4ft away from my controller.[/quote] RF doesn’t care what you believe. It has it’s own laws.

A loss of signal at 4 feet causes me to suspect the following causes:
Probability: Cause
99% Interference from another device on the same frequency. Video baby monitors are a known cause. If you are in a multi-family unit, it may be a neighbor’s device.

45% A defective Vera Edge.

30% A defective appliance module.

5

WOW. Never heard of only a 4ft range. This is differently not normal and I hope you get it figured out. My first try would be to swap out the vera after you shut down any 900mhz items.

I don’t have a home phone or a baby monitor, but I never had this kind of problem.

6

Haha, I dont care what RF believes either…

So I’m in a single family home, so that rules out neighbors. I do have a baby monitor, that’s been unplugged as well…no change there. My phones are 5.8GHz, but I can unplug those to see if it makes a difference. I’ve emailed support to see if they have any tips.

Since I planned on buying a few more zwave devices, I got in on the Staples free hub with 2 device deal. I’ve set that up and it works with no issues.

I’m not totally giving up on Vera yet, hopefully my staples hub will be a backup not primary device…

7

A while back there was someone who reported that the cable connecting the internal Z-Wave antenna on their Vera2 was loose leaving only 5ft of Z-Wave connectivity goodness. Perhaps either the internal antenna is not connected securely or is defective. I am waiting to hear if anyone is modding the antenna on the VeraEdge and getting improvement on range. My Vera3 was improved dramatically with the antenna mod.

8

Here’s some thoughts on this.

I have opened my Edge up and had a peak. Even posted some picture in another post awhile back.
Adding the external antenna looks very easy. Acutally looks like I can move all my parts over from my VERA lite antenna mod. (a whole $6.00 worth of parts)
Now I never really had any range issues on the Lite in my 1600sf house (I did in a larger house) so I never saw an improvement here. In the larger house it was routing issues that continued even after the antenna mod. So for now I’m sitting this one out. But I don’t see any issues holding us back.

9

[quote=“jaymar8, post:6, topic:184931”]My phones are 5.8GHz, but I can unplug those to see if it makes a difference.[/quote] No. 5.8 and 2.4GHz devices won;t impact Vera’s Z-Wave capabilities.

I got in on the Staples free hub with 2 device deal. I've set that up and it works with no issues.
If your 45603 appliance module works at significantly greater distance with the Staples controller but not your Vera Edge, then your Vera Edge is defective.

If it is the Vera Edge, it may well be an antenna connection issue as described by @rstrouse. Since it is a new device, I’d prefer to replace it rather than fix it, but that’s up to you.

10

Thanks for the replies, I’m going to try and have the device replaced. I don’t want to give up on it totally yet, I see a lot of potential. I think the staples hub is nice and simple, but it just doesn’t have some of the more advanced capability that Vera has (or at least is supposed to have)

11

Hey but it reaches more then 5ft ;D

12

I can configure my yale lock in the garage from the vera in the house, with my veralite I had to take the vera to the lock to configure it, so seems at least from my experience with this lock the distance is better with veraedge, so I too would agree, sounds like something is defective, device or vera