Real world outdoor Z-wave transmission distances

Community Playground General Discussions
1

I have a detached garage near my house and I’d like to extend the z-wave network into the garage with minimal effort, if possible.

Assuming I have line of sight between the house and garage (no major obstructions between), there is an outside outlet on my house where I could install a Z-wave one and there is a light switch on the garage wall that is facing the house that I could install a Z-wave one. From your personal experiences, what kind of distance would be workable? (I know what the published spec is, but those are just theoreticals in a controlled environment.)

Thanks,

-TC

2

It’s really going to depend on your environment. Recently, @MrAutomate demonstrated ~73 feet to his mailbox with the sensor inside a metal mailbox and it worked well. There’s going to be cases where 100 feet is achieved and there’s going to be cases where you can’t get 20 feet.

For a poor man’s site survey, I’d recommend testing with a battery operated Z-Wave device like a door sensor or a hand held remote. Set it to notify you when tripped and then see how far you can get and still get notifications.

3

Thanks, good idea. Doing the math in my head, my estimate is the distance should be about 25 to 35 feet max.

I could take one of the Monoprice PIR sensors and put the jumper into Test Mode, take the iPad outside and monitor the Vera webpage for changes.

4

That should work. If it does, then I’d expect a receptacle and light switch to work too. Maybe even just the light switch, if you’re lucky.

5

I have a detached 4 car plus RV garage with bathroom, hotwater heater (on z-wave) and a bunch of z-wave things in it. Closest distance from structure to structure is atleast 45ft and everything works inside. I think you shouldn’t have a problem.

6

Cool, good to know.

First thing I need to get going in the garage is auto lights on when entering. Pain in the ass when it’s dark out since the light switch is located behind the door and you have to feel for it. And being able to switch it off with a bedtime scene would be great since other folks in the house seem to forget to hit the switch when they exit the garage ::slight_smile:

7

Cool, good to know.

First thing I need to get going in the garage is auto lights on when entering. Pain in the ass when it’s dark out since the light switch is located behind the door and you have to feel for it. And being able to switch it off with a bedtime scene would be great since other folks in the house seem to forget to hit the switch when they exit the garage ::)[/quote]

Yea, there is lights on the outside of the garages, lights inside, the office area has ceiling fans and can lights, bathroom has a light and fan, electric hot-water heater on intermatic z-wave, z-wave thermostat, and 3 mimolites for each of the doors. Only all the sensors and smokes are done by the alarm everything else is on z-wave back there.

EDIT: This is using a VeraLite with external Antenna. Have an EDGE ready to go for this location, but haven’t tested it yet.

8

If that’s your distance (from camera view to garage) then I’m definitely closer than that.

I’ll see what type of response I get with my existing network before installing extra devices to fill in coverage.

9

[quote=“TC1, post:8, topic:186370”]If that’s your distance (from camera view to garage) then I’m definitely closer than that.

I’ll see what type of response I get with my existing network before installing extra devices to fill in coverage.[/quote]

Each one of the driveway lines are 10ft and the camera is on a carport on the main house. The carport is 20ft deep or so also from the camera to the front garage door on the house.

10

I have a detached garage in the back of the house about 40 ft from the actual house. My Vera sits on the top of a bookshelf near the sliding glass door on back, and can reach light switches inside the garage near the house side of the garage. Its about 40 feet 45 feet from the Vera to the light switches, going through wall/glass and a block wall garage. I have one aeon repeater outside on the back of the house and one in the garage. I couldn’t tell if it worked better with either repeater, but everything works well so I figured I’d just leave well enough alone.