Curious what you mean by this. I have my Xbee in my networking closet just plugged into a USB power supply. It has definitely improved my mesh. Are you saying it it won’t work if it’s not hooked up to a computer? Or was that just to answer the mapping question.
No, that is not what I was saying. Your application works just fine. @aaron was asking if he can manage his Xbee remotely and I only stated that you need another Xbee to do so.
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OK cool, just wanted to double check. This XBee has greatly improved my zigbee range and I recommend anyone to purchase one.
Did you end up getting the XB3-24Z8PT pcb antenna versions? Just wondering how they compare to the SMA version. The pcb version is almost $20 cheaper and wondering if I should look at getting one.
Yes I did and I am very happy with the PCB antenna version. I think moving forward I would always get the PCB version, however, can’t give you any scientific data, just a smaller footprint and happiness with the product
So should we buy at least 2 devices or is one device fine?
One is fine for mapping and use as a router.
It depends on how many zigbee devices you have and how much you want to expand your mesh when using them as routers or if you want to use them as arrival/presence sensors as well.
Start with one and see how you like them.
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should I care if it's SMT or TH Mt pro or non pro because this is a pretty good deal? I think
https://www.digi.com/products/models/xk3-z8s-wzm
I do not have SMT but it should not matter.
I would like to try one. SMT version are newer.
I don't see which Xbee3 model number (antenna type or pro or standard) they are but likely not the pro version for that price.
Pro version simply give you higher transmitting power thus more range (up to 2 mles LOS).
But the pro version is not required.
That is a pretty good deal if you want three.
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I think they are XB3-24Z8US-J - Digi XBee3, 2.4 Ghz ZB 3.0, U.FL Ant, SMT | Digi International
I'm just not sure about this board I guess it's the updated board price $70.00 US
https://www.digi.com/products/models/xbib-c-smt
My Xbee devices should arrive today I went with the Pro PCB antenna TH. I've read through this entire post a couple times lots to read and I just want to make sure I understand how the process goes. So basically install the APP download and I guess Important the endpoint config file put the Hubitat hub in discover mode power up the xbee device then go back and change settings over to router config?? Are the OP's config files Up to date or do I need to make manual changes? I've installed the App but I'm not even sure you can important config files, I guess I'll find that out soon. Thanks everyone for all you valuable information. I'm finally going to be able to see how terrible or not terrible the Hue Outdoor lights are at repeating. Maybe I'll actually be able to get some proper sleep instead of checking on the damn hue outdoor motion sensors in the middle of the night.
I guess I should also check the boot-loader and firmware versions before adding to the Hubitat hub?
Yes you can import config files you will still have to manually input some settings. Such as pan id and KY
I believe they are mostly up to date my computer is down (CPU water pump died) so can not double check.
One thing that is missing I did not select the option to rest to defaults before appying config settings.
I found that if you change a setting that is not set in the config file that setting will not change after applying the config file.
The end point settings really only need to be used if you are using the Xbee3 as an arrival sensor that is always powered like from a battery supply.
If only powered on say from your car when the car is running just using router config settings should. As it is highly unlikely you will be doing a zigbee discovering from the hub with you car running (which could cause other end devices to route through the Xbee3).
No required but I would update the devices first.
Been meaning to update the orginal post to make it simpler for people. Once I get my computer back running I will ipdate it.
Thanks for the info. What kind pump do you need I have a few extra of these I can send to you. I have no need to for them I bought them as backup getting ready for a new build and I'll be using different pumps.
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I would LOVE it if one of the next people to setup an XBee from scratch would write a current and simplified step by step how-to guide...
Lol I'm not sure I'm the man for the job. I'm a little to ADHD
Thanks but I was not really happy with the water cooler going with a noctua now.
I can't find this option?
It is an option when creating a config file.
You can just do it manually by reading your Xbee3 and then selecting the default option at the top of the page then write.
Then load and write the config file.
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Okay I have my Xbee3 devices setup and running. Was very easy just following along with OP. What i did find out is you mine as well just input the settings on your own so you can read the different options and get to know the software. also if you download the config files you'll have to load the the latest firmware again anyway. I just used the Router settings then paired it to the Hubitat Hub worked no problem. What I did notice is that if you unplug the Hubitat hub trying to get devices to route through the Xbee3 you might get this error when trying to scan the network.
Drove me crazy for a bit then I just decide to remove the Xbee3 from hubitat and rediscover it. Also I found out that Hue Outdoor lights are not as good as the Xbee3 for repeating. My signal or whatever you want to call it was 50% better when routing through the Xbee3 compared to the Hue Outdoor lights. Also when I would hit refresh on a Zigbee device when looking at the logs I would get a response much faster like instantaneously
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Wow Zigbee in the city might not be the way to go just way to much interference. Too many people using routers that they can't set their signal strength. 21 AP's on channel 11 ugh no wonder my zigbee signal is all over the place.
Maybe channel 26 is the answer
