I’m trying to install a ZFM-80 to control/monitor my garage door. In addition I want to use the Garage Door plugin.
I cant get the plugin to work and I’m getting some irregular behavior opening and closing;
I hooked up the output relay connectors to the garage door motor (same terminals as the door opener on the wall uses). And I connected the external switch connectors to a reed switch. This one: [url=http://www.smarthome.com/7455B/SECO-LARM-SM-226L-3-Magnetic-Garage-Door-Contact-Switch/p.aspx]http://www.smarthome.com/7455B/SECO-LARM-SM-226L-3-Magnetic-Garage-Door-Contact-Switch/p.aspx[/url]
In the device created in vera I set “1 byte hex = 2” (for momentary normally closed) and wired the reed switch similarly (normally closed).
Next I installed the garage door plugin and pointed both variables to the ZFM-80 device ID (not the alt ID).
First problem, the plugin device does nothing. It remains in locked state and I cannot unlock. In short I cannot open or close the door with the plugin.
Second problem, when ZFM-80 device is in ON state nothing can be done until it is turned OFF. Even the main wall switch/car clickers etc does not work. Even weirder - the wall switch (which has an LCD screen) goes blank (like it is unplugged). When I turn the device OFF, the LCD on the wall briefly displays an error message and then returns to normal state.
I tested using a scene to turn the ZFM-80 off as soon as it is turned on. And it seems to work, but I’m not sure if it would interfere with the plugin.
The only place I could find mention of using reed switches with the ZFM-80 is on the homeseer boards. Can the be used as I have it in Vera? And do I have it wired correctly?
Side question: What are the pin codes on the plugin supposed to do?
I pointed the plugin to one of my Aeon sensors on another door. Opening and closing the door changes the status between locked/unlocked and allows operation of the garage door via the plugin.
@RTS: the ZFM-80 is both devices (or is supposed to be). The reed switch acts as the sensor of open/closed. But maybe because Vera recognizes the device as a switch it is not picking up all the properties?
I would hate to use another battery operated device and was hoping the ZFM-80 would be the answer.
You can use one for sensing and a second one for commanding.
But you can NOT use one for sensing door open/close status AND controlling the door opener.
And, unless it supports instant status … it will not be useful for automation.
You need a door/window sensor to sense the door status … these provide instant feedback.
[quote=“RichardTSchaefer, post:4, topic:175430”]And, unless it supports instant status … it will not be useful for automation.
You need a door/window sensor to sense the door status … these provide instant feedback.[/quote]
I did a quick test to hook up the ZFM to only the reed switch and not the garage door opener. It does provide instant status. Problem is that Vera sees the ZFM as a binary switch. So based on how I have the reed switch hooked up open = on and closed = off.
If I use the ZFM as a door sensor, is there a way to trick it into being a sensor instead of a switch?
I am also still trying to figure out my original question of why it turns off the wall opener for the garage door when I wire it in parallel.
The opener I have has an LCD screen so there is some current being passed from the overhead unit to the wall clicker but why would the ZFM cut that power?
If you were using a single device.
The Reed switch would turn the Z-Wave switch on. The Z-Wave would actuate the garage door. This is ONLY supposed to be momentary. During that time … all other devices are useless.
Sorry, the garage door plugin only works with security sensors at this point.
[quote=“RichardTSchaefer, post:7, topic:175430”]If you were using a single device.
The Reed switch would turn the Z-Wave switch on. The Z-Wave would actuate the garage door. This is ONLY supposed to be momentary. During that time … all other devices are useless.
Sorry, the garage door plugin only works with security sensors at this point.[/quote]
Thanks for the response. A day of very little actual work and lots of reading have brought me to conclusion - that I need a door sensor (as you said). I ordered an Everspring so that I can use a seperate reed switch as I have a metal garage door.
Also, the type of “smart control panel” I have cannot be shorted like a regular opener. I will have to wire the ZFM to a wireless opener or wired to the button contacts of the control panel. Both options suck based on layout. I will have to figure out which sucks less.
I will update on my progress…
I use a camera inside the garage to monitor door state. It is more foolproof in case of door jamming or reversal to see what happened. Also a bit safer. I can take a look before I trigger the door from 800 miles away.
As for triggering the opener I used an Intermatic receptacle as the $18 control point. I plugged the GDOPener into the unswitch side of the receptacle. I then plug a 12VDC wall wart into the switched side of the receptacle and then ran Class 2 (low voltage) wire to a $3 Bosch style auto relay attached to side of GDOpener. This is safer and NEC compliant over those using 120VAC coil relays. The 12VDC wall wart goes to the relay coil. The NO lines of the relay go to the wall switch wires of the GDO.
Created a scene in Vera. Turn on receptacle, wait 4 seconds turn off receptacle, wait 20 more seconds turn off receptacle. The second turn off is in case of a dropped packet the relay gets turned off.
[quote=“curiousB, post:9, topic:175430”]I use a camera inside the garage to monitor door state. It is more foolproof in case of door jamming or reversal to see what happened. Also a bit safer. I can take a look before I trigger the door from 800 miles away.
As for triggering the opener I used an Intermatic receptacle as the $18 control point. I plugged the GDOPener into the unswitch side of the receptacle. I then plug a 12VDC wall wart into the switched side of the receptacle and then ran Class 2 (low voltage) wire to a $3 Bosch style auto relay attached to side of GDOpener. This is safer and NEC compliant over those using 120VAC coil relays. The 12VDC wall wart goes to the relay coil. The NO lines of the relay go to the wall switch wires of the GDO.
Created a scene in Vera. Turn on receptacle, wait 4 seconds turn off receptacle, wait 20 more seconds turn off receptacle. The second turn off is in case of a dropped packet the relay gets turned off.
I read your solution over the weekend and really like it. If I knew the troubles ahead of me I would have gone for your solution.
My primary goal is knowing if the garage door is open. Secondary is to close it. I was trying to avoid using 2 devices to accomplish both goals.
Best Home Automation shopping experience. Shop at Ezlo!