Recommendations for building 700 Z-WAVE network

Eric.C.Miller · February 10, 2021, 2:22am

I was re-reading the document about building a strong Z-Wave mesh. This is in anticipation of migrating my Z-Wave devices to a new C-7 hub.

Are there any additional recommendations now that the hub is a 700 series?

I was wondering if this would be a good time to invest in some new 700 series repeaters to form the backbone?

Other ideas, suggestions, recommendations?

Thanks!

bcopeland · February 10, 2021, 2:40am

This is a great start.. 700 series repeaters will get you better range.. I build out my mesh starting from the repeaters to build a solid backbone.. Then included all my mains powered devices, then battery devices..

Might I recommend the ring gen2 range extenders.. They are cheap, good, and have battery backup to keep your mesh solid when there is a power outage.

Eric.C.Miller · February 10, 2021, 4:07am

I have just ordered two. I may need one or two more to make a solid backbone. Thank you.

Eric.C.Miller · February 11, 2021, 3:40pm

@bcopeland Bryan - did I see that these Ring Gen2 Range Extenders should be paired with S2-Authenticated? And I should expect that to be the default with this device?

Thanks - the new gear should be here Saturday!

bcopeland · February 11, 2021, 3:41pm

Ring devices should be included with the defaults.. Don't attempt to change any of the check boxes or they get temperamental..

Eric.C.Miller · February 11, 2021, 3:42pm

Will do! Thanks!

jzulkeski · February 11, 2021, 3:50pm

What devices are these? Can you link to them? Are they the ring alarm range extenders?

Eric.C.Miller · February 11, 2021, 4:03pm

Yes.

jzulkeski · February 12, 2021, 4:03pm

So these just work as repeaters, nm the Ring brand... and they are good because they are plug in, but also have battery backup. Do I have that right?

erktrek · February 12, 2021, 4:22pm

yep! And you can detect power outages.

Edit: wanted to also say that if you are adding to an existing network it may take a while for other devices to recognize and route through them in my experience. If building from scratch all good.

Eric.C.Miller · February 12, 2021, 4:25pm

OK, thanks. I am building a fresh, new Z-Wave network for this (new) hub.

erktrek · February 12, 2021, 4:27pm

I have had a similar experience to Bryan with building a new network for a client, worked really well by setting up a framework of repeaters first.

JasonJoel · February 12, 2021, 4:32pm

(I do it in Node-RED, but it can be done in Hubitat, too!)

I will say that the status doesn't ALWAYS stay in sync. See below, the "MBR" one is on mains power right now...

672southmain · February 12, 2021, 4:43pm

With a caveat. When power comes back up, the Ring goes from battery to mains before the Hubitat comes back up, so the power status change event is missed.

You need to put a SystemStart rule to refresh the Ring Extenders so power status is correct.

Here are my rules:

Screenshots

JasonJoel · February 12, 2021, 4:51pm

Good idea / practice.

Even that doesn't always work 100% of the time though. I've refreshed that one above that is stuck in "battery" many times. I need to go physically unplug/replug it to get the status back in sync.

672southmain · February 12, 2021, 5:27pm

I saw that for a few releases back about December, most recently 2.2.4.158, but my regression testing found that it was fixed as of 2.2.5.119.

nclark · February 12, 2021, 5:53pm

Install switch plugs between them and the wall plug, then you can refresh with the plugs

JasonJoel · February 12, 2021, 6:33pm

I think that one has been wrong since 2.2.4... haven't went and unplugged/replugged it since it became wrong in December.

672southmain · February 12, 2021, 7:01pm

Just now checked, working correctly (reporting mains > battery > mains, and reporting power changed events for each). C-7, 2.2.5.131, Ring Alarm Extender Gen 2, paired S2.