Hi I'm about to connect my ZigBee modules to hubitat. I have never used hubitat nor anything similar. I have 22 ZigBee dimmer modules that are connected to Retractive/pulse light switches. My hubitat will be placed with my internet modem.
Do I need to have hubitat next to each module when adding the device?
How will I know which ZigBee module I'm trying to add? (They are all the same model). Should I wire up one module at a time and then add it to hubitat then wire up the next module and so on?
It's perfect that you are adding all the powered zigbee switches first, that will allow you to build a strong Zigbee mesh before adding things like contact and motion sensors, lux sensors, etc., that will then allow you to automate a lot of your lighting needs.
Next after the switches you can also consider if you want any zigbee plugs or outlets to control any plug-in lamps/lighting. You can leave the dumb bulbs in the plug-in lighting and control via voice/buttons/motion/time of day, etc.
Agreed. I wildly assume anything that has always-on power acts as a repeater...even some battery devices that have an option to have wired in power will often act as repeater when hardwired but not when on battery.
Thanks all, look forward to setting it all up. One thing I was wondering, because I got 22 ZigBee dimmer modules, would it be difficult to differentiate in the hubitat program. How does the hubitat program know which module is which, does a serial number show up at hubitat? Only reason I ask, if hubitat turns off due to loss of power, and I lose everything, do I have to physically remove each of the 22 modules again and set up again? (And not knowing exactly which module I'm trying to set up for the correspo ding room) Or is it more straight forward? Hope that makes sense
If you setup all 22 at once, you will need to figure out which is which after installing them, or you could add a sticky note (or some type of label on it) as you pair them to know which is which. If you need to figure out which is which after the fact - this could be done by turning them on one at a time and then labeling them in Hubitat.
My personal preference is to pair one device, label it in Hubitat and install it, than move to the next.
The Hubitat hub can be turned off and will not lose the pairings. The only situation which would cause the pairing to be lost would be if the device is “manually” removed from the hub.
Hey bud, thanks a lot! That's helpful. Glad you say the hubitat still remembers the modules even when there's a powe outage . I will definitely sticky note as you suggested !
Use names in Hubitat that make sense and you won't need too much help remembering what is what...e.g., Island Lights, Cabinet lights, Entry Lights, Hall lights downstairs, etc.
If you use names like that:
It's easy to remember what is what
Also makes it easier/more intuitive to use voice commands (if you're going to do that). "Turn off the Island Lights" is easy to remember, "Turn off Switch #3" is not.
I have a small thermoprinter (Phomemo M110). When i pair a new device, i check it in the device page, and i use the URL to generate a QR code. I print this on a small sticky 2cm round label. Actually the Phomemo app can generate QR codes with embedded URL itself. I stick this on the device.
Now, whenever i have an issue with a particular device, i just scan the QR code with my phone and the Hubitat device page opens up immediately so i can check it.
It's discreet, and really handy if you have a few sensors or bulbs in the same room, and can’t recall exactly what you called each one.
Good question! Fortunately I don't have any in-wall switches (yet)! On the sensors etc the QR code is never visible.
But in any case, there will only ever be a small number of in-wall switches compared to the multitude of sensors, wall plugs and bulbs, so I'm guessing it's much easier to remember what I called them
Aha! That makes more sense then! I'm the opposite...whoever built our house must have had stock in wall switch companies and can light companies...so many 4-gang boxes and just an absurd number of ceiling can lights...so I don't tend to have many wall plugs or actual regular bulbs at all.
I use 2 piece decora covers on everything (usually lutron or enerlites) so the cover pops off with a fingernail..Also they are incredibly pleasing aesthetically
