Hi everyone. I have a question. When you run multiple hubs (c-5 & c-7) how do the hubs communicate, via Zigbee or via WiFi? I hope they communicate via wifi between hubs.
I tried two different setups.
One i tried to place extra Zigbee plugs to span the area beside my house and then to the powerhouse (insulated metal building).
At first, I added one plug inside the powerhouse but it could not get a signal from inside the house. Then I added another plug under the building floor to get signal inside the powerhouse. The problem was the devices inside the powerhouse kept dropping off the Zigbee network even though I had then placed as such:
1 plug placed just inside of house on outside wall. Then another plug just outside the same wall. Then about 30ft away is the one under the powerhouse floor, and then the other two plugs inside the powerhouse. (I was under the assumption that every mains powered Zigbee device are repeaters) I also has a temp/humidity sensor and a USB switch/repeater.
So, 3 plugs (one under and two inside) a USB switch plug/repeater. That makes technically 4 repeaters in powerhouse, and another one thirty feet away outside house. Still, I had problems communicating with the devices inside the powerhouse.
Soooo, I picked up another hub(before asking this very pertinent question) a c-5 hub for 30 bucks, that I now have put into my powerhouse (solar inverters, very large lifepo4 battery, and 2 Gensets, one ac and another dc), I'm still trying to figure out the best setup for the Genset. I only have a few items on it now.
I have a third Reality temp/humidity sensor, a sonoff zbmicro USB switch/repeater, and 3 third Reality power plugs. (Plan for more stuff later like Genset control, emergency shut down controls, etc.)
This setup allows me to control the air and heat with the temp gauge. One power plug runs the window ac, another is for floor heat, and then a third plug for a spare/radio at the momement. The USB plug charges my security camera inside the powerhouse but only when the sun is out.
Now, here is my reasoning for this action. The powerhouse (c-5 hub) will run the air con, the heated floor, light, alarm, etc. This hub would have all the devices shared with my c-7 hub that runs the devices in my house for monitoring. I did not share the devices on my c-7 hub.
If I am correct, the apps on the c-5 hub will work out there and if anything in the house messes up or locks up the c-7 hub, it will not interfere with the system out there in the powerhouse (since all powerhouse apps are on the c-5 hub). Have I missed anything? Not sure but ready for questions.
I know, this was a long winded post. Sorry about that. I hope this configuration will work out better than the last. I would hate to have to buy a plc just for powerhouse control.
Paul