I bought a remotec zxt-120 to control one of my split AC units.
it was recognized in vera as a HVAC thermostat and i can get the room temperature info and in someway control the unit using the interface. Configuration for gateway usage is simple, just add your AC brand code from remotec list to Parameter 27.
It can run on 3 AAA batteries or mini USB connection. I’m currently using the USB connection( it doesn’t come with any cable or charger, but it only uses 100ma so any mini-usb charger should do. I’m using a set top box usb port ). The battery holder is removable and is also the wall mount for the device. the weird thing is that the unit is fixed to the battery holder by 2 screws in the battery cover, so when you split the two, the battery cover stays on the unit until you remove the screws.
without the battery holder it’s very light, feels something like 40 grams.
Haven’t tested it with batteries, yet.
According to manual, it has 20 learning codes slots, so you can record your favorite settings on the device.
Problem is split ac’s normally have a different way of operating then HVACs and therefore some functions are unavailable in the UI as setting fan speed, dry air and fan Modes, swing settings.
Also, you don’t have a way to send one of the 20 learned codes from the interface.
I have placed a tech support request to see if MCV can fix this and have a fully functional split AC controller
The next version of ZXT-120 will have new learning mechanism, the learnt code will map to AC code 000, that means the learnt code can be used as other code, by plain thermostat CC, not configuration CC.
Looks like a pretty sweet device, just what I need.
What controls do work on the airco at the moment? I’d be happy if I can set the cooling setpoint and mode (heat / cool / off, minus the fan only mode).
heat / cool / Off and temperature setpoint works perfectly.
right now, you can’t set fan speed to Low/medium/high. I think it starts with fan in auto mode.
but right now, it’s enough for me to turn on the air conditioner when i’m leaving work and heading home to a nice and fresh (while the weather is hot) living room.
When I set it to ‘always listening’ by pushing the button 4 sec, release and then 3 klicks within 2 seconds, and then include the unit, it work OK (but had a few failures reading version).
However, as soon as I unplug the unit, it will not respond until I push its button.
The temperature is about 4-5 degrees C too high.
I’m thinking maybe I have an old firmware in either the Remotec or in Vera? How does this compare to your setup, Guys?
Capabilities 211,28,0,4,8,6,L,R,B,RS,|32,39,49,64:2,67,68,112,114,128,134,
Version 6,3,36,0,5
Manufacturer Remotec
In general, running off of batteries and be in ‘always listening’ mode, will drain the batteries really fast. So perhaps the device doesn’t allow this?
It has a usb connector for constant power, and it is all described in the manual, so I am currently assuming it should work.
But it is a horrible experience setting the unit up, I’m currently healing again, to see if it makes things work better. (It stopped to respond again, so I probably need to exclude and include again to get it going…)
It seams that I have got the old 0.5 version. I’m assuming this because at least the remote codes that I am entering at position 27 does not fail. If I enter version 1.0 codes it does.
I meant that I unplug, to move it to its ‘real location’, re-plugging it. Then it needs to be ‘activated’ again, by pushing the button.
But also if I am trying to configure it, it gets unresponsive after a while. This may possibly be because I have not done a full network heal after moving it. (I’m currently doing this, but it has been for ever on stage 5).
OK, so apart from the issues above (have to push button after power up, and thermometer way off), I have been able to get some control over my Mitsubishi.
However, how is this control supposed to work? If I select heat, and say 20 degrees, mitsubishi will start up, but I cannot control the vane at all it seams, and the ‘fan’ speed ‘Auto’, ‘On’ and ‘Cycle’ (cycle does not seem to do anything) . On my mitsubishi remote, I have Auto, and five speeds. ???
What does ‘Swing’ mean (maybe left to right, which my mitsubishi does not do)? And ‘Energy’ and ‘Normal’ just gives a ‘Thermostat does not support this’ message.
I’m not too familiar with AC/Heat pumps, so maybe this is common knowledge?
Is it possible to control other things (like the vane and the fan) if calling with luup or some other way?
Also, is there any way of upgrading to 1.0? As far as I can understand, the 0.5 learn mode (which I feel I might have use, since have to make sure the vane is in a particular direction) is very basic and learned codes are not possible to control from the Vera UI?
Sorry for all the questions, but I really would like to get this to work.
I was having the same problem as Vespaman.
The ZXT was running in always listening mode without batteries. Every time i unplugged it from USB and plugged it in again it would become unresponsive and i would have to re add it to the network. When i tried it with a new spare ZXT i had bought it worked fine under the same conditions. So now the first one is sitting in its box unused… I need it to work directly as it powered on as the power source to which it is connected shuts off frequently (Scene controlled).
Any leads on how to get it working again?
Edit: Also i read somewhere else that these fan controls are designed for thermostats and that these work quite differently from IR controlled ACs. Has anyone been able to control fan settings via the ZXT’s UI?
Yes. So you have a 1.0 which is a much more useful device than my 0.5.
I have asked Remotec if it is possible to upgrade a 0.5 to 1.0, but they have not even answered my email. >:(
Remotec support told me to do a unpairing, do a factory reset(hold button for ten seconds, red LED will flash twice), make sure it is in the correct operating mode (factory reset does not affect this setting) and add to vera again.
All my ZXT-120s are working directly after I unplug and replug the USB cable now.
As before they are operating in always listening mode and without batteries.
). The battery holder is removable and is also the wall mount for the device. the weird thing is that the unit is fixed to the battery holder by 2 screws in the battery cover, so when you split the two, the battery cover stays on the unit until you remove the screws.