Are there any (preferably) z-wave relays that can be powered by 5V? I'm currently using a NodeMCU, but that's Wi-Fi based, so while I do have it integrated into my HE, I don't feel like adding a new access point to increase the WiFi range in the corner of the house.
The zooz zen17 can be power via a usb cable. The relays are dry contacts so you can use any voltage on them. I think the zen16 has a usb power input as well but I can’t remember for sure. Both are zwave.
Zen 16 does (allegedly) have a USB-C input, but I have not been able to get it to work. So, I can't personally recommend relying on that. Forced to power mine with a 24V transformer but that works well.
FWIW I have been powering mine via 5V USB power for over a year with no issues.
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They tell you to use a simple power supply, not something designed for phones...something like that.
I was just looking at a ZEN16, which is being powered by 5 volts, and lo and behold, there's a label:
Two ZEN16s here, both being powered via USB-C, no problems.
the usb goes into the usb port, but would i be able to use that 5v elsewhere if needed?
to give more insight to what i'm doing, i have a dog feeder that i'm controlling (original company went belly up). it had a usb input on the outside. inside, i'm taking the power cables from that, feeding the power to my nodemcu and a relay. when i want to feed, i trigger the nodemcu which sends 3.3v to a relay, and that completes the 5v to the motor for feeding.
on the ZEN16 (which i have a couple of), the input wires want 12-24v, not 5v, so i could only use the 5v if i used the usb input, but i would want to utilize the 5v power elsewhere in my circuit. wondering if splicing a usb-c header onto the 5v feed could satisfy that need while still allowing me to use the 5v coming in for the motor
I know @velvetfoot said no, but if you spliced it I don’t see why it would not work.
But I like the idea of using a usb power brick with two outputs.
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https://www.support.getzooz.com/kb/article/359-zen16-multirelay-specs/
not untrue. USB input (5V) or 12-24V AC/DC on the 2 terminals on the front
i could try that, but then would need to drill a hole into the housing to pass the second wire (which i only need the 5V to activate the motor for feeding). i do have a second base available (one i bought to open so i could test my initial nodemcu idea), so i'll try using a ZEN16 in there (and see if the splicing can work)
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Why dont you attach a smartplug to a 12-24v transformer and a 5v transformer? Thats how i run my low voltage stuff
It is, perhaps, possible that the USB charger I tried was made for a laptop or phone, but I don't think so, amd it wasn't labeled as such. I'm pretty sure it was just a "generic" USB-C charger device that I bought in case I needed it one day. Who knows, maybe it wasn't properly labeled... Maybe I was duped... Maybe evil monkeys broke in and switched it on me. But given that I own only one device, a Macbook Air, that even takes a USB-C, and I've purchased only one charger for that and this wasn't it, I doubt it.
To the OP: If this is important or time sensitive and you try a Zen 16, you MIGHT want to have another option for powering it available, on the off chance that you, too, have a power supply that doesn't appear to be for a laptop or phone, yet still won't work. I live out in the middle of nowhere so like it when people say, "Hey, umm, I had a little issue with this thing that allegedly works a certain way" so I know to be prepared with a possible alternative if one is available. Saves me a lot of time I could otherwise spend glued to a forum on the internet, as some seem to do. Anyway, good luck, and maybe run your specific charger past the auto-correctors here to see if they can verify it for you. Or, just post about it if it doesn't work so they can suggest ways that you're an idiot. You'll make their day.
for anyone wondering, i was able to use the micro-usb feed 5v, break that power off, feed it to a usb-c connector, and power the ZEN16. i was also able to use that same 5v feed to power my motor, so it is working as intended. feel bad the ZEN16 will be in there wasting ports, but it is what it is. thanks all
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