New zwave/arduino module for sale on eBay

Plugins & Plugin Development General Plugin Discussion
1

This zwave transmitter/receiver module just showed up on eBay (Search for Item:130707578589) this evening and I googled it to see if there was any sort of development community for this item. Unfortunately, it looks like there’s very little info out there at the moment.

I haven’t taken the arduino plunge yet, but this module might push me over the edge. I’m wondering what the forum’s thoughts are about the potential of this item. . . . .

2

without software support it is useless… OpenZwave is the only likely thing that will run on it - while OpenZwave is decent, still does not support door locks, and may never support them due to encryption

3

I think the ZWave modules when coupled with an Arduino can be used to enable some fun projects. It’s definitely won’t be a beginner project. It will take some learning of the Zwave protocol and learning how to create custom devices in MiCasa Verde. After looking at the small Arduino library, I ordered four of the modules.

4

Heyy, it’s really interesting.
Maybe we need some application sample using the provided library.

I’ll buy one to test…

5

Did you all get a weird e-mail letter from elechouse ?

Dear Sir:
Thanks for your order.
You order was supposed to ship today. But recently we made another Zwave module which could transit data much farther. But it still needs about 4 days.
If you don’t mind, I wonder if you could tell me where you plan to use those modules? how long you need it to transmit in your project?
With those information, we could determine which one is better to you.
Please reply.
Thanks

I responded to the guy, giving him my details. This is what he came back with:

Dear Sir:
Thanks for your reply.
Before we ship your item, our engineer pointed out that we made a mistake. This module works on Zwave Frequency, without Zwave chip.
If you need to cancel this order, please tell us. We will refund your money.
Apologize for the wrong information.

6

Note that the item was re-listed and the price went up from $14.90 to $18.90. Furthermore on his new re-listing of the module, there is a disclaimer. “Note: this module works on Z-wave frequency, but not on Z-wave protocol.”

I asked for a refund.

7

Maybe they had some legal issues?

8

I don’t think so. I originally did not look at the specs closely enough.

Frequency band: 433/868~915MHz      <----- ZWave does not run on 433 MHz
Channel number: 170                            
Function: transmitter / receiver
Frequency stabilization method: PLL
Modulation mode: the FSK / GMSK         <----- ZWave modulation is GFSK
Maximum output power: 10dBm             <----- ZWave is -2 dBm
Sensitivity:-100dBm
Maximum operating rate: 76.8Kbit / s    <----- ZWave is 9,600 bit/s or 40 kbit/s
Working voltage: 2.7 - 3 .3 V

From the picture, the chip looks like a Nordic NRF905. The specs would substantiate this.

9

I am, however interested in experimenting with Arduino, USB host shield and a Z-Wave USB dongle similar to the Aeon Labs Z-Stick or the Z-Stick S2. Or, hacking a Schlage/Nexia ZWave bridge for its ZW0301 chip and interfacing to it with an Arduino via its SPI bus. The code on the ZW0301 chip does a lot of the ZWave protocol from what I understand.

10

A Zwave/Arduino sandwich would be a brilliant thing for our community. Even just as an interface to bring in 0-10/4-20 sensors into the realm of what we play with. Zwave devices on the current market don’t nearly go far enough.

11

I would so love to play with Zwave control from my Arduino. If anything comes about, please post back!

12

The odds are probably pretty slim as you’ll need a developer kit which cost a lot of money and a nda contract to get the development documentation. Reasons why many choose zigbee or xbee.

  • Garrett
13

I just tried using this on the UI7 Vera Edge and it stopped working. Is this still working for everyone? I’m getting an error on the configure page with a message of not able to load plugins.