I have a spare Z wave chip for a Kwikset Smartcode Deadbolt with HomeConnect. Is it possible for me to get another Kwikset Smartcode Deadbolt WITHOUT HomeConnect and plug my spare Z wave chip into it? The HomeConnect version of the product comes with the Z wave chip while the one w/o HomeConnect does not?
Yep you can, but just keep it in mind that that the actual deadbolt itself may not be tapered! At least they never used to be a while back!
What do you mean that the deadbolt may or may not be tapered?
The edge of the deadbolts are now rounded, to allow slight offsets from the frame.
The were originally square corners, which meant if the deadbolt wasn’t aligned perfectly, it wouldn’t lock on it’s own. It would grind away for a while and eventually give up.
The Home Connect locks that include either Zwave or Zigbee have a tapered deadbolt to assist with aligning the door with the strike plate, when tolerances may be tight in some installations. The regular version that doesn’t come with a logic board has a non-tapered deadbolt (or non “rounded” as @PuredueGuy says), and so door alignment and tolerances are much more critical when the dead bolt is locked.
The above was how it was about a year or so ago, and so this may not be the case any more since it would make sense to standardize for cost purposes.
I guess when the lock was originally designed, nobody thought that alignment was an issue when you are standing next to the door, but then when you factor in remote locking where you wouldn’t be there to push or pull the door slightly to assist, then its a different ball game.
Thanks strangely and PurdueGuy. That makes sense!
There was talk of an official retrofit Kit for the lock that included the Zwave board and also the improved deadbolt with a taper, but I’ve never seen it.
Anyway, I know the boards work as I tried it in a friends lock, and you could in theory self modify the deadbolt to taper it slightly if you wanted to put in the effort!
Also note that battery cover on the non-zwave one could be all metal or thicker plastic which may limit your Z-wave range.
[quote=“ASIHome, post:8, topic:171258”]Also note that battery cover on the non-zwave one could be all metal or thicker plastic which may limit your Z-wave range.[/quote]Good point, I forgot about that, I think its a metallic coated plastic.
Just wanted to give everyone an update with the above situation: The Kwikset Smartcode Deadbolt WITHOUT HomeConnect, purchased from Home Depot yesterday, indeed does not have the tapered deadbolt and the Z wave cover for the lock is different from the HomeConnect version. However, my spare Z wave card does fit and work in this non-HomeConnect deadbolt. At least in my Z wave network, there does not seem to be any RF issues with the non-HomeConnect Z wave cover. With a non-tapered deadbolt, you definitely have to be sure the bolt and strike line up perfectly.