Is it possible to have a Mode Change when the lock is unlocked with type = "digital". I noticed on the logs it indicates if the lock is physically unlocked and digitally unlocked. It would be great if I can specify only type=digital as a parameter in Rule Machine?
And I noticed the lock status doesn't update when it auto-locks unless I hit the refresh button.
Wait, so are you having the Lock's Z-Wave connecting to the Hubitat Hub and the August Hub simultaneously? I didn't follow up with the manufacturer help desk folks who said that was possible, but I can't really figure out how. Wouldn't that start the same types of conflict errors or tears in the fabric of space/time fabric that trying to put any Z-Wave device on Hubitat and Smartthings Hub at the same time?
Can someone just come over to my house and kinda just make it do what I want? Anyone? It's too hard and I can't do it!!! 
LOLOLOL
I don't think the lock communicates with the Connect over Z-Wave so you should be able to use it
Correct, the Connect (or the Doorbell cam) communicate with the lock using Bluetooth...
I would recommend to put z-wave aside and get everything working fine with the August App so you can lock locally with Bluetooth directly to the lock and remotely through the connect. Then, once everything is working use the August App to Z-Wave include the Lock on your Hubitat. That's how did it and works just fine...
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Don't take these questions as me challenging your answers, I believe what you're both saying is most likely more correct than my understanding of how it all works, and appreciate the responses. But this raises a bunch of questions for me.
Why then would August have equipped the lock with Z-wave radio, and have it connect with the Connect Hub (See attached screenshot)? Is it actually installed in the event you have a Smartthings or Hubitat Hub and want to connect it?
Thinking back to all the setup, I seem to remember the whole point of the Connect Hub was to enable the remote access and lock toggling through the Wifi network. At the time I assumed that the Connect Hub communicated with the Wifi router via the standard 2.4Ghz using the 802.11xx protocol. In turn, the Connect Hub would translate any validated remote command or status query it recieved via the Wifi, and communicate these commands with the lock via Z-WavePlus protocol. Is that not the case?
I thought the Bluetooth was used only between the owners cell phone and directly with the actual lock, for the Auto Lock and Auto Unlock funtionality, mostly due to the short range inherent to that system. It's a Low Energy BT radio, correct?
I appreciate the patience with all this. Right now with the lock connected to the Connect Hub, all features are working as advertised. The input things missing are the integration with the rest of my automation systems.
Pete!
Its confusing, I know... I think understanding the history helps:
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Gen1 lock only had Bluetooth and that is what they use to communicate to the phone.
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They released the Connect as you mention to serve as a bridge between the lock using Bluetooth and the Cloud with WiFi, so you could control your lock remotely. WiFi cannot be included in the Lock directly as it is a battery drainer.
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Doorbell Cam Gen 1 was released that uses Wi-Fi to communicate with the Cloud and Bluetooth with the lock so you could open the door remotely when someone rings the doorbell and you answer from the phone. This device makes the Connect redundant so if you have a Doorbell Cam you don't need the connect, it does the same thing.
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Lock Gen2 was released, added Homekit and works exactly the same but can be unlocked from Apple devices too through an Apple TV I think...
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Gen 3 Locks were released, the basic version is a redesigned Gen1 to make it cheaper, Bluetooth only. the Pro version is a Gen2 with added Z-Wave Plus and was originally meant to only be sold through their installer network to be used with Home Automation systems. I guess they realized there is a network of installers putting fancy HA Hubs like Control 4, etc. and wanted to tap into that market, adding Z-Wave was the way to do it. Gen 3 locks also have the Doorsense thingy.
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They also released a Doorbell Cam Pro, same thing but better image quality and some small changes.
Yes, August locks use Bluetooth LE
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Had to read this twice. Very different from the way other locks work, but kind of cool at the same time. Most of the time you have to choose between a lock that works with the manufacturer app and one that is controllable by a Z-Wave or Zigbee hub only.
So if I'm understanding how the Pro works, you get to still have August app access and remote unlocking via Connect, plus you get Z-Wave Plus?
Oh and just to confirm, you are correct about the Apple TV as a hub for iOS users. I have a Gen 2 and a Connect I bought separately, but if you're an iOS user, you can actually control the lock via HomeKit Home app remotely. It used to work with an Apple TV 3, but that was flakey. They removed that capability and now you must have an Apple TV 4 or later. If you have that, then you don't need a Connect for remote lock/unlock. However, it doesn't give you remote unlock/lock via August app. Still need the Connect for that. Plus, the Connect gives you control via Alexa, Google Assistant, Stringify, IFTTT, etc.
Yeap, exactly.
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I've had an August Lock Pro installed for about a year and just bought a HE. Thanks, @mike.maxwell, for the driver! I was not expecting that the contact sensor could be read over Z-Wave. That being said, mine has a quirk: the contact sensor reports fine for an hour or two, and then ceases sending updates. The lock state is still reported properly, however.
I read somewhere around here that removing and replacing the batteries fixes this issue, and it does—for another hour or so. I don't know what's going on.
Any ideas?
I've always had an external contact sensor on my door so I never relied on the z-wave contact, but I can also confirm that it's not reading properly. It does for a bit and then stops. The august app reports the contact as closed but in HE its showing as open for me...
It works for me after the latest update
Even though I bought the August keypad a couple of years ago, I only installed it recently and I can now confirm the batteries + cold temperatures are really an issue. I had to replace the batteries twice this winter already and when really cold it does not work well. So I started researching on how to cable this guy for power.
When I installed my August Doorbell I drilled between the bricks close to where my dumb doorbell button was in the door frame and after a lot of trying and luck was able to pass the cable to it. This was a standard dumb doorbell which uses 20VAC so I figured I already have power passing by, but the keypad uses 2xAAA batteries so that's 3VDC. After some research fond this $5 converter / regulator that can use a 5-35 VAC input and output whatever you want in DC as long as it is 3V less than the input:
A week later I got it and could not figure our a way to cleanly fit this thing inside the door frame close to the button. I then remembered that the builder had used a 4 wire cable for the doorbell installation and used 2 wires together for live and neutral all the way (transformer -> doorbell -> button). I guess they do it so they do not have to buy special cable with thicker gauge? not sure but I remember my previous house was the same...
So, I got the idea to separate these cables from the doorbell to the door button / doorbell cam, a pair each, that way I could install the regulator inside the house next to the doorbell. I figured the August Doorbell Cam and Keypad provably consume very little power and a single pair for each should be enough. Connected the regulator and graduated it to output an exact 3V (this thing is quite stable BTW, I measured while ringing the doorbell and the voltage didn't move at all).
Proceeded to adapt the cable to the Keypad, I originally wanted to do this without modifying it using something like a battery dummy with the cable attached to it but could not find anything cheap enough to make it worth it plus my keypad was already out of warranty anyway. Finally decided to solder the cables to the board. Testing showed the keypad works well with 3VDC directly connected to it.
Also, turned out the actual doorbell had space inside the housing and I was able to fit the regulator in there, Like a glove!. I was a little worried about the cables getting hot but I did a lot of testing, I connected to the cam stream while its battery was charging and started ringing the bell like a mad man while also using the keypad, cables didn't even get warm...
The installation ended being really clean and works beautiful! Disabled battery saving mode in the keypad and it works even better now! Here are some pictures to better understand what I did:
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That turned out nice. August should take a tip from this and offer an adapter or at least a connection to their doorbell cam.
So from the photo it looks like anyone can just pop the back cover off these keypads and steal them? That's a lot of coin to be so easily heisted.
Yeah, I never understood why they didn't design the keypad to somehow tether power from the doorbell...
I remember being hesitant about this back when I bought the Doorbell Cam as it would not be difficult to take away either if you know how it hooks, what convinced me is that August has this policy where they'll ship you a replacement if yours get stolen, you do need to send them the police report... also being so cloud dependent its easy for them to block stolen devices which would make them useless to whomever takes it...
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Awesome! I am using a similar setup with my Iris Keypads outside. I have two Nest Hellos and an Iris Keypad running off the same transformer without an issue. I soldered onto the Iris battery terminals.
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Lots of great information in this thread. I am ready to buy an August Pro Lock but need some questions answered first.
- If I plan to connect it to the Hubitat, do I need to buy the August Connect Bridge or will the Hubitat do that for me?
- What exactly does the Connect bridge do for it?
- Will the driver that exists report back reliably on Open / Close states via Doorsense or am I better off to get a contact sensor?
Appreciate any advice.
- Connect isn’t needed when pairing with Hubitat (but I recommend it if you need to adjust lock settings remotely).
- Lets you manage and control the lock remotely. With Hubitat you should be able to control the lock remotely
- Yup doo sense reports open/close
thanks. so you mention Connect is for remote access to lock settings, then mention that Hubitat should give remote control as well. So should I buy the connect or try without it.
Main intention of this lock, is letting the kids unlock the door with Bluetooth and occasionally providing a third party access to my house for a few days.
I believe they had a promo that included the connect with the lock but not sure if still available...
I recommend it. I use Hubitat to check lock status and in some automations like for example, my good night routine does verify the doors a locked and if not then locks them. That said, I find myself using the August app most of the times for manual lock and unlock and it is very useful to be able to do it remotely from it... I do have the Doorbell cam which may be part of why I use their app so much instead of Hubitat dashboard for this.
If you get the Doorbell cam then the connect is not necessary, they both serve as a bridge between the lock and WiFi.
Also, the driver does work with the doorsense and reports fine for me, but some users here have reported that it only works for a while and they need to restart the lock to make it work again or something like that. I don't have that problem but it is still good to have a door sensor on the your front door...
