No, I am using the built-in Zen Power Switch Driver.
Also, I put a virtual switch on my dashboard where On changes changes auto-on to disabled, and Off restores it to 1 minute by running the Config command.
Maybe I will just take a stab at the ZEN15 on my driver, I will look up the specs for it. It cannot be too different from the ZEN04
For laughs a while ago I tried the Zen15 driver on the Zen04, with no joy. But that's not what you're doing.
I can see this parameter change on the fly thing being help in other cases. In my searches I came across a guy who wanted to dim the led in his zooz switch overnight because of brightness concerns, and if I recall, was basically told that it wasn't possible so he gave up.
The Zooz web site references a custom device handler for SmartThings, if that helps.
https://www.support.getzooz.com/kb/article/35-how-to-access-advanced-settings-for-my-zen15-power-switch-on-smartthings/
Trying to follow. I understand the contacts for load shed before start up but confused on what device is telling the gen to start and stop, and if no transfer switch how do you prevent back feed to grid. If you have newer appliances, unplug them for a bit and then check how long it takes for them to load up after you plug them in. Unlike pumps and heaters, these devices may take a bit before they recover on power up. Same with a gas furnace, load up will be delayed.
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My approach is quite lame compared to yours, lol. My thinking is: power lost, generator starts and transfers, runs for a time, hub sheds load via plugs and switches, battery-backed hub opens battery-backed Zen16 or 17 relay which opens wire to high heat sensor on gen (just about the only non-latching alarm) stopping gen, gen rests for a time, hub closes relay, gen restarts, load is minimized at startup, load comes back after gen runs a while, repeat cycle if utility comes back, transfer back is automatic.
Weak point is mesh, I feel. Worrying about the gen battery going low is another. Otherwise, monitoring temperature around the house and running the generator only when necessary would extend down periods. The stupid drain on the battery by the gen panel and its wifi will flatten in what, 2 days max? And then multiple restarts can't be good for the battery charge. So I guess battery charge could be monitored somehow (I have a Shelly Uni on order, but who knows).
Timed starts might be best, but sucking down the propane just to keep the generator battery charged irks me. I know you've got some big-a$$ rechargeable battery pack involved and realize you've got Starlink going too, but that's big bucks too, and would it basically be a UPS on the T1 line out to the gen controller?
I haven't done any simulated long term power outages. I'd have to wait until the wife takes a trip, lol.
edit: On the slow starting appliances, that's okay, I guess, because the idea is that the generator should start up with ideally no load, and with a delay relay or hub arrangement, they'd only start after a minute or two, after the generator has started and stabilized.
I think you can get to a point where that will work.
- Let the gen start on power loss.
- Confirm primary devices have recovered from power interruption
- Prepare to shut gen down by turning off significant loads.
- Confirm loads are off and shut gen down for your set interval.
- When the interval is done - turn the gen back on.
- Run for a set interval - like maybe an hour.
- Repeat when it's time to shut gen off again.
My recommendation is don't get too greedy with an off period. A 3-hour off - 1 hour on will cut propane use down by 75%. You can add some environmental sensors to cause an alert and shorten your off period, but I would not use them to control the off period. Maybe set up to 6-8 hours off in warmer weather. What's the location? How often does power go out for more then 24 hours?
Also, your off switch needs to reset on power loss. Make your control fail save so the gen will start back up if you lose hub/control power. You didn't want your offline control to continue to hold the gen off, so make sure your relay holding the gen off opens on power loss and resets to off state on power up. On top of that, my hub turns off my gen control rules on hub power up so I can address what happened and then turn the control back on. You don't want your gen quickly cycling on/off due to a control issue.
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Thanks for the excellent tips. You've given me a lot to think about.
I'm east of Albany, NY. We're in a heavily wooded area. The utility line clearance crews just came through, so that's a plus. I don't want to wish for it, but we're about due. This 'system' would really only come into play if we were away in winter, otherwise I would just turn the generator off.
Excellent advice about making the control fail safe.
@jtp10181 Would it be possible for you to add this ability to set parameters to your Zooz Zen Dimmer Advanced driver? I need dimmer switches that can have their default "custom brightness when turned on" parameter set through RM without having the light powered on. I currently own several Zen74 switches. I believe this setting is parameter 18. Having this ability would save me from having to replace all of these switches! Since this would save me money, I'd love to be able to tip!
Sure, I am working on updates for the plugs driver right now, I will add it to the switch driver as well. I want to make it so the "size" is optional and will use the info already stored in the driver for the size for the official driver.
Also, depending on what you are trying to do, what I have done is use Room Lighting to setup different light levels per mode, then I set the default level for the light somewhere close to the lowest I have set in RL. Then if the light is turned on manually via the switch, RL will see that and adjust it to the proper brightness depending on the mode. It is pretty quick so hardly noticeable.
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Awesome, thanks so much! Yes, the brightness adjustment from low default is a reasonable work around, and I've tested it out, but I've experienced a lot of quirky behavior from Room Lighting and no longer use it. I assume it's primarily from imperfections in my mesh network, but all my RM light automations seem to work 99% of the time, even if they can get tedious to program with lots of separate IF/THEN operations.
The waf has not adjusted well to smart bulbs or any sort of latency, and I am trying my hardest to find solutions that don't involve me tearing out all my smart switches. Tbh, I am also very uptight about latency in anything smart. I hate using switches in "smart-bulb mode" or button controllers that add a lot of latency on top of the very fast operation of the switch in "load-control" mode. No OCD eye-twitching when using switches with a default brightness, lol.
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@alexander_osborne Just posted an update to HPM: [DRIVER] Zooz ZEN Switches Advanced (and Dimmers) - #354 by jtp10181
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