Stability z-wave

Post by **structor** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:55 pm

Hi i am new here, so before i will post my question I will shortly introduce myself.
My name is Emiel and i am working as an ict-nurd. For some time i have a small domotica 'setup' in the form of several elro 'plugin modules', a remote and a couple of micro modules.

This setup is working reasonably well. The system is however fairly sensative. Some units seem only to switch in a certain order. The micro-module can not be switched at its configured adress however with the remote i can switch on another address. So basically i am looking for a replacement of this setup (and some more since i would like to extend with pir and magnetic doorsensors).

A while back my collegue introduced me to x10 and at first at seemed a good candidate for a replacement. However the switching time and some stories about the stability and qualitiy on this forum, kept me from going in this direction.

That's for the intro now my question(s). How is the stability and quality of the z-wave system. What about switching times? And what about the perception of the she-who-must-obeyed (does the system function like the old fashioned wired counterpart)?

@ezhome as a hint: as a possible future customer, i would find it extremely helpfull to have some samples howto apply the products you offer. This saves time and since a lot of people buy on impulse (at least i do), you most probably had me as a customer

No i am thinking about stability.

Post by **mhn** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:06 pm

Hi.

I have used Z-Wave since fall 2007. It runs very stable (Innovus gear.)

A couple of times a on command have missed. I have then been able to dim up instead. Thats all the trouble I have had.

I have no noticeable delay in my network.

My wife lives with it, but she doesn't love it.

There is too many options now, she sometimes complains. Sometimes she wishes the old simple one on/off button back. But most of the time, she's okay with the setup.

Regards
Morten

Post by **EzHome** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:20 pm

Hi Emiel, welcome to the forum!

About the stability I can only say that it just runs great, I think many users can verify it here on the forum.

Also the switching time is in less then a second, so it is quick.

The she-who-<b>might</b>[;)]-obey part is up to your own implementation, I know most woman don't like the touchscreen, Iphone stuff @ all, they just want to switch it like the old fashioned way.
If you use in-wall switches and dimmers the system always runs and you can do the automated stuff you want.

I would like to give you some examples but as you know there are so many things you can do with it that the only limitation is your fantasy. So ask what you want and we will all help you implementing it.

Post by **structor** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:26 am

The she-who-might-obey can probably be persuaded when the current visible plugin modules can be replaced with out of sight micromodules/in wall variants. And ofcourse what both of you said before, to accept to system i should install in-wall switches. So more concrete I have found a topic about a 'hotel-schakeling' with z-wave modules.

There's a striking difference in pricing between popp/duwi and mertens, but is this the only difference?

What about integration with other z-wave products e.g. vera.

I think i will start of with a small test system and from there on i would like to make some upgrades. If the test works out, i would like to go to a system with:
* vera
* a qees ring (mostly to control a wakeup and leave the house scene where several lights are switched at once)
* a couple of pirs
* replacement of the the old fashioned switches with in-wall switches and dimmers.
* some window/doorswitches
* my current logitec 795 remote

So with that information in mind, what do you guys recommend if I would like to start testing with:
* two 'hotel-schakelingen' to control the hallways on the first and second floor with Merten 576799/503444 + 506144 or Popp 761 248 + 761 231
* replacing my current faulty micro switch that switches 6 230V 50W halogen lights above my kitchen. Can this be made dimmable (this would please my wife, a selling point [:D]) with a Merten 507900 paired with Merten 506144 or Duwi. And most probably i would need two 507900's not to exceed to powerrating (as I did with my current setup). Can this be controlled with one button?

I could ofcourse target these questions directly to the shop of ezHome, but i think the answers could help others, so i am asking here... And perhaps other users have good feedback. I am looking for a solution that is first stable, then extendable and then best value for money.

What i also fail to see is what the size specs of the merten 576799/503444 combination is, will it be easy to remove the current oldfashioned switches or do you need a certain depth. I saw some warning about the micro modules.

Post by **arccch** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:42 am

about the size maybe i could give you an answer i have seen on the site of ezhome that the popp switches have an depth of f i remembered right" 29mm. a normall inwall box is 40mm so i think thats gotta work but i dont know it for merten. But i dont think that it will be that much bigger.

greetings jeroen

Post by **EzHome** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 1:52 pm

There is not much difference between Merten and Duwi besides the firmware.
The Merten devices are build around their own RF Connect series, this also explains the price difference.

Duwi (Popp) modules can also be used as micro-modules and do not need to be directly accessible by pushing it by the buttons.

For making a "hotel schakeling" you need for example 1 Duwi 05431 / 05433 & 1,2,3.... Duwi 05443.

This way you can switch local and remote with the 05443.

The 507900 can be controlled by 2 (or more) remote buttons from Merten or again the Duwi 05433.

The old switch can easily be switched by a Merten 576799/503444 combination (or Duwi 05431). The depth "problem" is only when you want to use micro modules behind a normal switch.

Post by **structor** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:46 pm

An update from my side. After some off-forum discussion with Willem-Jan (ezHome) I decided to start my experiment a little bit smaller. The reason is that Duwi has a different formfactor then my current Bush-Jaeger switching material, so I had to change all my convential switches with conventional switches of Duwi. According to Willem-Jan he can supply Duwi switches with a Bush-Jaeger 'housing' in a couple of weeks. So at this moment i've installed two Duwi dimmer modules in my kitchen, which operate a total of 6 50 W halogen lamps (2 x 3). The dimmer modules are built-in so I've also installed a Duwi 05443 switch. The setup works perfectly, so hope it will remain to do so! My wife is happy since the lights in the kitchen can be dimmed, she has a switch (instead of remote) to operate them and it works (the previous praxis dimmer did not work the lights only flashed, a switch of the same brand worked although not always).

ezHome i would like to thank you for your advice and your swift delivery. You did not want to profile your shop to much on the forum, but for noobs like me i can fully recommend it.

So i hope the Bush-Jaeger switches arive soon, so i justify to order a vera...

Post by **structor** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:47 pm

O I forgot, I could not bind the duwi's yet with my Logitech 895. So if anybody can provider some pointers...

Post by **EzHome** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:59 pm

Thanks very much, it was nice helping you.

First you have to associate your Logitech with the wall switch, now they have the same house code.
Then inlude the dimmers with your Logitech. that's all.

Post by **Paximadia** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:40 pm

I have the same problems as Structor: I cannot bind my Duwi's with the 895. It seems I am doing everything right, but when I get to the point where the remote says: "Press button on device and hold for 1 second", I always get: "Cannot add the device. Do you want to retry?". I have also tried 3 fast clicks instead of the 1 second click on the device.

ezHome said: "First associate your Logitech with the wall switch, then include the dimmers". How do I associate the Logitech with the wall switch? Is what I did with the 1-second-holding-of-the-button the procedure to associate the Logitech and the switch? Or do I need to do something else first?

Post by **EzHome** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 5:48 pm

What is your pimary controller? I it Homeseer or Vera?

Post by **Paximadia** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:29 pm

I found the solution. Any one Z-Wave device can only work with just 1 Z-Wave network. I had hoped to be able to control my Z-Wave devices with both Vera and the 895, but it is either or.

Post by **EzHome** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:01 pm

Add your Logitech to Vera's network with the dongle and after that you can still add your nodes to your Logitech if they are included into Vera.

Post by **mhn** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:46 pm

@ezHome Unless you know something i don't, this is not possible. The 895 does not have a full implementation of Z-Wave.

It will not work with another controller.