Thank you very much for the helpful instruction. My ZRTSI, too, was configured as a scene controller. Now, it is a window covering device on Vera3, but unable to get information on the node, which is 1 on the ZRTSI dial. Will Vera3 configure itself for every node on the ZRTSI?
If it does, how do I set up a scene with it? I have three shades that I would like to work independently from one another.
I wondered that too. Not sure if this was the only way to get it done but I used the “add device” tool and then using the ZRTSI “Z” button was able to pair each channel as a separate device. Check the ZRTSI instructions but it was pretty simple, I think just had to dial the channel number on the wheel then press the “Z” button while vera was looking for a new device. Name it according to the channel and move on to the next. Took just a few minutes and now I have all 16 channels added (only using 6 but nice to have for later). Was easy to setup scenes, etc.
Much like you suggested I setup each (or logical grouping) shade on its own channel. To do a scene where they all move you can activate each channel sequentially. I wanted them to move simultaneously so I programmed each shade to respond to its own channel and a common channel for that room. Not sure how many channels can be learned by each shade but I have 3 each (1 from the Somfy transmitter, 2 from the ZRTSI). Example: Room with 3 shades. Programmed shade 1 for channels 1 and 4; Shade 2 for channels 2 and 4 and shade 3 for 3 and 4. So I can issue a command for individual control (1 or 2 or 3) but if I want to control them all at the same time, I use channel 4. Works great.
The only issue I still have is that the window covering interface is reversed. Have not been able to fix that. Also, the control that appears in MCV is really not relevant. The only 3 commands that work on Somfy (to the best of my knowledge) are Up, Stop, Down.
The control also shows a slider (like a dimmer) but the shade cannot be set to a discrete intermediate value. Open and Close are also present. Close actually works but Open has no function.
I suppose you can program scenes with specific intermediate positions but would require you to send the shade to a known position (full open or full closed) and then move the shade for a specific amount of time before issuing the STOP command. Probably would work pretty well. You can also program the “MY” position on the shade to a single intermediate location then trigger the “MY” command from vera (I believe sending STOP twice is the same as hitting the “MY” button but I have had variable success)
I am not up to speed on app creation but would be nice to have one that was specific for this device.
I haven’t paired the Vera3 UI5 other than on node 1. I have set with RTS the shades up on 4 nodes, so I will try to pair them individually with Vera3 UI5 now using Z-wave on the four channels.
My plan on using the shades is exactly as yours are set up. Your use of the channels puts me on the right track.
[quote=“bfschroe, post:42, topic:167876”]The only issue I still have is that the window covering interface is reversed. Have not been able to fix that. Also, the control that appears in MCV is really not relevant. The only 3 commands that work on Somfy (to the best of my knowledge) are Up, Stop, Down.
The control also shows a slider (like a dimmer) but the shade cannot be set to a discrete intermediate value. Open and Close are also present. Close actually works but Open has no function.
I suppose you can program scenes with specific intermediate positions but would require you to send the shade to a known position (full open or full closed) and then move the shade for a specific amount of time before issuing the STOP command. Probably would work pretty well. You can also program the “MY” position on the shade to a single intermediate location then trigger the “MY” command from vera (I believe sending STOP twice is the same as hitting the “MY” button but I have had variable success)
I am not up to speed on app creation but would be nice to have one that was specific for this device.[/quote]
My needs are only for full open or full closed. I need spend more time on the MCV control. I did not know about the double STOP = MY button relationship.
Your comments have been very beneficial. Thank you.
Each motor should hold 12 devices aka channels. It is common and recommened to program shades to individual channels and also an ALL Channel or GROUP Channels.
I modified my D_WindowCovering1.json file to reverse the polarity in relation to the UI buttons. See bottom of this post for file and instructions on how to upload.
This is how a lot of external shade controllers work, including the available Z-Wave ones. During a calibration sequence (run once) the controller times the run time of the shade from stop to stop. It would be possible to reproduce this in a plug-in and would work almost as well if signal latency is low between Z-Wave and RTS. A ‘MY’ position will give you a single stop and should work fine through Vera (pressing STOP whenever the shade is stopped will send shade to MY position). A MY position is recorded by using the Somfy Remote, use arrows to position shade at desired position, then press and hold MY button for 5 seconds, the shade will respond with a jog confirming the recording of MY. Not the most intuitive remote in the industry, but I just tell people that MY is French for STOP and half the time they get the joke and the other half think I am serious.
edit: CHANGED at 6:18pm 6/23/12 for simplification of steps
***OK to upload the attached file, which reverses the Up and Down buttons in the UI, first download the file to your PC. Then in the UI, nav to Apps->Develop Apps->Luup Files and look to the right where it says Upload Files.
Click Browse and find the .json file you just downloaded. Scroll to the bottom of Upload Files and check ‘Restart Luup after upload’ and click GO. Wait a few minutes until Vera completes the Luup restart. Your Up/Down are now reversed as they should be. You’ll notice two D_WindowCovering.json files in the Luup file list in the UI, don’t worry as the one we just uploaded will override the factory one…this is normal to see the two copies.
At least this will work until there is an official plug-in.
edit: This change should probably be applied to all Veras that want to control window coverings, as I believe the Up/Down buttons are reversed for all controllers, even the URTSI thru RS232. I haven’t tested the newer controllers, Fibaro or others, but all of the controllers I listed in the wiki were reversed if I remember correctly. Which is why we need a variable to switch polarity in the advanced settings.
Hi all,
I am extremely new to Vera so please bare with me. I have purchased the ZRTSI but am not able to get it recognized from Vera. I am following the instructions off youtube for this device but it shows the connection to Tahoma. Any advice would be great.
Thanks!!!
The concept for including the ZRTSI into Vera is basically the same as it is shown in the video for Tahoma. You are just including each of the 16 RTS (Somfy radio) that you plan to use into Vera using the individual include method: under Devices, Add Devices at far right, at the bottom Advanced Zwave Devices, then at the bottom select Include, One, Any, High Power, GO. If it still doesn’t include that channel you may have to Exclude that channel first to “reset” it, just change the drop menu to Exclude, One, Any, High Power GO (look in the upper center display in the GUI to see what is being included, excluded, or reset). Once it has been reset, just include again, it should then appear I your devices, give it a few minutes to fully populate the device.
Hi everyone,
I live in Germany and have to use the European Z-Wave frequency. That’s the reason why ZRTSI is not an option. The URTSI II interface seems to be very interesting.
Unfortunately I just canÄt find a German (or even European) shop which ships this one. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks!
Kind regards
Robert
I’d recommend calling your local Somfy distributor, and see if they have a European version of ZRTSI…
You might try eBay for an URTSII. I see one now on ebay.co.uk for 248£ but it ships from the U.S.?! I am not sure that it would be compatible with EU purchased Somfy motors, but it should be as I have used EU RTS remotes here in the states with our motors.
There is also an RS485 RTS transmitter shown on somfysmarthome.co.uk that should perform a similar function without as many channels. From what I can tell this part is an EU version of the URTSI or just a newer version. Part number is CI-RTS-SOMFY and it is RS485 not RS232.
The URTSI plug-in on Vera wouldn’t work with the CI-RTS-SOMFY, it could be used as a starting point to make your own plug-in.
Well, four months later, I am no closer to programming this thing to work than when I started, My Vera3 is a expensive manual doorstop with pretty flashing green lights.
I would be happy if one channel on the ZRTSI was programmed to raise and lower a shade. I might be halfway there.
I have the device controller on Vera configured as a Window Covering controller on the Vera3 using node 1 on the ZRTSI. Only manually operating the close button or stop button on the Window Covering controller seems to send a signal to the ZRTSI, even though I receive a notification of the scene controller being turned either on or off using the other buttons. How do I find out what value is being passed from the Vera to the ZRTSI?
[quote=“homeandaway, post:50, topic:167876”]Well, four months later, I am no closer to programming this thing to work than when I started, My Vera3 is a expensive manual doorstop with pretty flashing green lights.
I would be happy if one channel on the ZRTSI was programmed to raise and lower a shade. I might be halfway there.
I have the device controller on Vera configured as a Window Covering controller on the Vera3 using node 1 on the ZRTSI. Only manually operating the close button or stop button on the Window Covering controller seems to send a signal to the ZRTSI, even though I receive a notification of the scene controller being turned either on or off using the other buttons. How do I find out what value is being passed from the Vera to the ZRTSI?[/quote]
My Vera3/ZRTSI and the associated scenes have proven to be one of the most dependable, trouble-free components of my entire HA system. I hope you can get yours working.
When you say the Window Covering controller has buttons on it, what part are you talking about? The ZRTSI should not receive any signal from the window covering or it’s controller. Excuse me if this is old news, but the chain starts with a Gateway (Vera) which sends a Zwave signal to an interface (ZRTSI) which sends an RTS Somfy signal to a window covering with either a motor that has an internal RTS controller built-in or possibly an external RTS controller connected to a dumb standard motor. When I hear the term Window Covering controller, it means relay-based controller sitting off of the motor. I just want to make sure you don’t have Zwave motor controllers that you’re trying to pair with the ZRTSI, which would be redundant.
Wires and pricing difference aside, is there a functional benefit of going with the ZRTSI vs. URTSI (serial to usb) direclty into the vera? I just heard from a company who sells both items that there was problems with the ZRTSI and they suggested I go w/ the URTSI and program it which really surprised me.
Anyone have feedback or experience with both?
It worked, however the only issue with this fix I can see is that it only changed behavior is in the UI5 of my vera and any other remote such as android powered vera have vice-versa behavior, so this even more confusing as now different controllers react differently.
Each motor should hold 12 devices aka channels. It is common and recommened to program shades to individual channels and also an ALL Channel or GROUP Channels.
I modified my D_WindowCovering1.json file to reverse the polarity in relation to the UI buttons. See bottom of this post for file and instructions on how to upload.
This is how a lot of external shade controllers work, including the available Z-Wave ones. During a calibration sequence (run once) the controller times the run time of the shade from stop to stop. It would be possible to reproduce this in a plug-in and would work almost as well if signal latency is low between Z-Wave and RTS. A ‘MY’ position will give you a single stop and should work fine through Vera (pressing STOP whenever the shade is stopped will send shade to MY position). A MY position is recorded by using the Somfy Remote, use arrows to position shade at desired position, then press and hold MY button for 5 seconds, the shade will respond with a jog confirming the recording of MY. Not the most intuitive remote in the industry, but I just tell people that MY is French for STOP and half the time they get the joke and the other half think I am serious.
edit: CHANGED at 6:18pm 6/23/12 for simplification of steps
***OK to upload the attached file, which reverses the Up and Down buttons in the UI, first download the file to your PC. Then in the UI, nav to Apps->Develop Apps->Luup Files and look to the right where it says Upload Files.
Click Browse and find the .json file you just downloaded. Scroll to the bottom of Upload Files and check ‘Restart Luup after upload’ and click GO. Wait a few minutes until Vera completes the Luup restart. Your Up/Down are now reversed as they should be. You’ll notice two D_WindowCovering.json files in the Luup file list in the UI, don’t worry as the one we just uploaded will override the factory one…this is normal to see the two copies.
At least this will work until there is an official plug-in.
edit: This change should probably be applied to all Veras that want to control window coverings, as I believe the Up/Down buttons are reversed for all controllers, even the URTSI thru RS232. I haven’t tested the newer controllers, Fibaro or others, but all of the controllers I listed in the wiki were reversed if I remember correctly. Which is why we need a variable to switch polarity in the advanced settings.[/quote]
This file worked fine until I updated Firmware to 1.5.621 then the reversed direction returned. Reloaded file and got a parsing error. Shades are still reversed. Any ideas?
Not that anyone cares or should care, but my Vera3 is no longer an expensive doorstop with pretty green lights. I still do not have the Somfy ZRTSI controlling my shades, but I appreciate the input I have received in trying to get them to go up and down.
I decided to start with simpler projects. I have succeeded in getting an Intermatic HA05 to come on 30 minutes before sunset and go off 30 minutes after sunset. I have two different scenes that control the light, but I don’t know which one actually works. Following the maxim, " if it’s not broke, don’t fix it," I have decided to leave them alone.
I also have a Jasco 45603 lamp module that comes on sunset and turns off at 11:30 pm.
Despite the duplicate code, I get a small feeling of satisfaction every time these lights come on. So, I am encouraged to progress on to new things. My next projects are a three-way lighting circuit and a wall switch controlling a single light.
I have my Vera 3 ZRTSI collaboration finally up and running, controlling 3 shades independently. I still have a problem with the interface, however, as two of the Window Covering device widgets can be found under the Windows tab, while the third is under Other. What do I need to do or check to move the oddball widget, which appears to be the same style as the others, to under the Windows tab?
And a question that is better suited to the UI or Beta forums: Can I have the same functionality with Window Coverings on the Dashboard Overview that I have with Lights?
The 1.5.622 firmware definitely “corrected” the reversed Up/down directions. For those of us that just treated them backwards, after that firmware upgrade my shades suddenly started going up (open) at night and closing in the morning.
However, if you undo that hack with the json module I’m guessing the reversed directions will normalize themselves in this release.
What would have been great is if they had actually put this reversal into the release notes rather than have everyone who uses Somfy be surprised when their workarounds are now suddenly backwards.
I am trying to control my ZRTSI with an http command and I am able to Turn it On and Off as if it were a dimable light switch using:
http://(ip address):3480/data_request?id=lu_action&DeviceNum=9&serviceId=urn:upnp-org:serviceId:SwitchPower1&action=SetTarget&newTargetValue=1
However I am unable to figure out UP, Down, Stop
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I don’t have a ZRTSI but I would expect it to support the standard WindowCovering actions. Try:
http://(ip address):3480/data_request?id=lu_action&DeviceNum=9&serviceId=urn:upnp-org:serviceId:WindowCovering1&action=Up
http://(ip address):3480/data_request?id=lu_action&DeviceNum=9&serviceId=urn:upnp-org:serviceId:WindowCovering1&action=Down
http://(ip address):3480/data_request?id=lu_action&DeviceNum=9&serviceId=urn:upnp-org:serviceId:WindowCovering1&action=Stop
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