Hi, I have about 10 Sengled Element Classic bulbs attached using the Sengled Element Classic device driver but am seeing constant drop outs.
They are also connected to my Amazon Echo and they work there fine using the Alexa skill however getting through Hubitat they keep dropping out. So I'm using a button to try turning them on via Hubitat and only a few will go on randomly and then I ask Alexa to turn them on and they all go on.
Not sure if this is a driver issue or whether I have too many devices on my hub.
I re-discover the bulbs daily pretty much and then the next day a different set of bulbs drops off.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks
A few questions that might help get this sorted out:
- How many total Zigbee devices do you have, and how many are repeaters?
- Hubitat has a limit of 32 directly-connected "end devices," i.e., non-repeaters, but...
- repeaters--each of which also has its own, usually much lower, limit--extend this number more or less indefinitely
- repeaters may also be necessary to increase the range of your network (Zigbee [and Z-Wave, not of concern here] are both mesh networks where repeaters serve to extend range)
- if you are not aware, most mains-powered (directly or indirectly, including USB) are repeaters; they must be on the same hub/network and of the appropriate protocol (Zigbee vs. Z-Wave; again, Zigbee here)
- are any of your repeaters light bulbs? Most except Sengled are; most also do a bad job and may cause problems if mixed with non-bulb devices.
- Do the bulbs actually "drop off" the network or do they occasionally just not respond?
- Many people have had bad luck controlling lots of Zigbee devices at the same time. Zigbee group messaging may help; there is an option to enable this in the Groups and Scenes app when you set up the group.
- Regardess of whether the above is set, sometimes it takes a second attempt for all of the commands (e.g., an "On" and a "Set Level"--the latter usually includes the former unless you enable pre-staging) to actually go through. Again, no good reason for this, but rate-limiting your commands or using groups (but still not a bunch of groups at the sam etime) may help
- If they actually "fall off" and need to be re-paired, that is likely a Zigbee mesh issue instead (maybe the last point above or a general lack of repeaters).
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Hey firstly thanks for the great detailed reply. Much appreciated.
The bulbs drop off and in device monitor they appear under " Devices NOT Reporting Events".
I am in the process of ordering an Xbee so that I can map out my zigbee network and try to get a feel for whats happening as well as using it as a repeater. I am unsure whwther using repeaters vs just buying another Hubitat hub is a better option for having a more stable mesh network?
Not sure how many devices exactly as some devices come via events from HubConnect (my SmartThings hub), some are virtual and some are things like Echo Speaks devices. Not sure if they count. Here is my list of devices and the device driver they use:
Bedroom 1 HubConnect Dimmer
(Bedroom 1)
Bedroom 2 HubConnect Dimmer
(Bedroom 2)
Bedroom 3 HubConnect Dimmer
(Bedroom 3)
Bedroom Button Aqara Button
(Bedroom Button)
Bedroom Button 2 Aqara Button
(Bedroom Button 2)
Bedroom Motion Sensor 1 HubConnect IrisV3 Motion Sensor
(Bedroom Motion Sensor 1)
Bedroom Motion Sensor 2 HubConnect Dome Motion Sensor
(Bedroom Motion Sensor 2)
Ben Virtual Presence
(Ben)
Desk Button Aqara Button
(Desk Button)
Dining Room Group Bulb Dimmer-2.1
(Dining Room)
Dining Room 1 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Dining Room 2 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Echo - Bathroom Echo Echo Speaks Device
(Echo Speaks Device)
Echo - Bedroom Echo Echo Speaks Device
(Echo Speaks Device)
Echo - Kitchen Echo Echo Speaks Device
(Echo Speaks Device)
Echo - Rose's Echo Show Echo Speaks Device
(Echo Speaks Device)
Echo - Roses Echo Echo Speaks Device
(Echo Speaks Device)
Echo - Sam's Echo Show Echo Speaks Device
(Echo Speaks Device)
Echo Speaks - WebSocket Echo Speaks WS
(Echo Speaks WS)
Electronics Cupboard Smoke Detector HubConnect SmokeCO
(Electronics Cupboard Smoke Detector)
Ensuite Leak Sensor HubConnect Moisture Sensor
(Ensuite Leak Sensor)
Entrance Light Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Fridge Door Sensor Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor
(Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Garage Door Sensor Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor
(Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Garage Smoke Detector Xiaomi Smoke Detector
(Garage Smoke Detector)
Harmony Hub Logitech Harmony Hub C2C
(Logitech Harmony Hub C2C)
Heater [Harmony Activity] Harmony Activity
(Harmony Activity)
Internal Access Door Sensor Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor
(Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Kitchen Group Bulb Dimmer-2.1
(Kitchen)
Kitchen Bench 1 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Bench 2 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Button Aqara Button
(Kitchen Button)
Kitchen Gas Detector Xiaomi Gas Detector
(Xiaomi Gas Detector)
Kitchen Leak Sensor Aqara Leak Sensor
(Aqara Leak Sensor)
Kitchen Main 1 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Main 2 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Main 3 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Motion Sensor 1 Xiaomi Original Motion Sensor
(Xiaomi Original Motion Sensor)
Kitchen Motion Sensor 2 Xiaomi Original Motion Sensor
(Xiaomi Original Motion Sensor)
Kitchen Smoke Detector Xiaomi Smoke Detector
(Kitchen Smoke Detector)
Laundry Window Sensor Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor
(Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Life 360 Refresh Application Refresh Button
(Life 360 Refresh)
Living Room Group Bulb Dimmer-2.1
(Living Room)
Living Room 1 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Living Room 2 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Living Room 3 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Living Room 4 Sengled Element Classic
(Sengled Element Classic)
Master Bedroom Window Sensor 1 HubConnect Contact Sensor
(Master Bedroom Window Sensor 1)
Master Bedroom Window Sensor 2 HubConnect Contact Sensor
(Master Bedroom Window Sensor 2)
Motion Sensor Cat Xiaomi Aqara Motion Sensor
(Motion Sensor Cat)
Motion Sensor cat 2 Xiaomi Original Motion Sensor
(Motion Sensor cat 2)
Motion Sensor Mailbox Xiaomi Aqara Motion Sensor
(Motion Sensor Mailbox)
Pantry Door Sensor Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor
(Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
SHIELD TV [Harmony Activity] Harmony Activity
(Harmony Activity)
SM-N950F Mobile App Device
(SM-N950F)
SmarthThings Hub HubConnect Remote Hub
(HubConnect Hub)
Spa Bath Fill Sensor HubConnect Moisture Sensor
(Spa Bath Fill Sensor)
Susan Virtual Presence
(Susan)
Temperature Sensor Living Room Xiaomi Temperature Humidity Sensor
(Temperature Sensor Living Room)
Temperature Sensor Lounge Xiaomi Temperature Humidity Sensor
(Temperature Sensor Lounge)
Temperature Sensor Master Bedroom HubConnect Omnipurpose Sensor
(Temperature Sensor Master Bedroom)
Temperature Sensor Rose HubConnect Omnipurpose Sensor
(Temperature Sensor Rose)
Temperature Sensor Sam HubConnect Omnipurpose Sensor
(Temperature Sensor Sam)
Toilet Window Sensor Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor
(Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
TV Light Yeelight RGB Bulb
(TV Light)
unknown:ZGB:0DD2 Device
(unknown:ZGB:0DD2)
V Bedroom Motion Deact Switch HubConnect Switch
(V Bedroom Motion Deact Switch)
Virtual Answer No Switch Virtual Switch
(Virtual Answer No Switch)
Virtual Answer Yes Switch Virtual Switch
(Virtual Answer Yes Switch)
Virtual Average House Temperature Virtual Switch
(Virtual Average House Temperature)
Virtual Away Mode Virtual Switch
(Virtual Away Mode)
Virtual Bathroom Echo Virtual Switch
(Virtual Bathroom Echo)
Virtual Bedroom Echo Virtual Switch
(Virtual Bedroom Echo)
Virtual Boil Kettle Switch Virtual Switch
(Virtual Boil Kettle Switch)
Virtual Close Garage Virtual Switch
(Virtual Close Garage)
Virtual Days Til Holiday Switch Virtual Switch
(Virtual Days Til Holiday Switch)
Virtual Deactivate Morning Routine Virtual Switch
(Virtual Deactivate Morning Routine)
Virtual Disable Motion Sensors Virtual Switch
(Virtual Disable Motion Sensors)
Virtual Ensuite Leak Alarm Virtual Switch
(Virtual Ensuite Leak Alarm)
Virtual Gas Detection Alarm Activated Virtual Switch
(Virtual Gas Detection Alarm Activated)
Virtual Holiday Weather Virtual Switch
(Virtual Holiday Weather)
Virtual Humidity Switch Living Virtual Switch
(Virtual Humidity Switch Living)
Virtual Humidity Switch Lounge Virtual Switch
(Virtual Humidity Switch Lounge)
Virtual Is Garage Door Open Virtual Switch
(Virtual Is Garage Door Open)
Virtual Is Scooter Charging Virtual Switch
(Virtual Is Scooter Charging)
Virtual Is There Mail Virtual Switch
(Virtual Is There Mail)
Virtual Kids Bathroom Echo Virtual Switch
(Virtual Kids Bathroom Echo)
Virtual Kitchen Echo Virtual Switch
(Virtual Kitchen Echo)
Virtual Kitchen Leak Alarm Virtual Switch
(Virtual Kitchen Leak Alarm)
Virtual Lights On Switch Virtual Switch
(Virtual Lights On Switch)
Virtual Open Garage Virtual Switch
(Virtual Open Garage)
Virtual Open Windows Switch Virtual Switch
(Virtual Open Windows Switch)
Virtual Rain Switch Virtual Switch
(Virtual Rain Switch)
Virtual Roses Echo Virtual Switch
(Virtual Roses Echo)
Virtual Sams Echo Virtual Switch
(Virtual Sams Echo)
Virtual Scooter Charger Virtual Switch
(Virtual Scooter Charger)
Virtual Smoke Alarm Triggered Virtual Switch
(Virtual Smoke Alarm Triggered)
Virtual Thermometer Switch Living Virtual Switch
(Virtual Thermometer Switch Living)
Virtual Thermometer Switch Lounge Virtual Switch
(Virtual Thermometer Switch Lounge)
Virtual Thermometer Switch Master Virtual Switch
(Virtual Thermometer Switch Master)
Virtual Thermometer Switch Rose Virtual Switch
(Virtual Thermometer Switch Rose)
Virtual Thermometer Switch Sam Virtual Switch
(Virtual Thermometer Switch Sam)
Watch TV [Harmony Activity] Harmony Activity
(Harmony Activity)
Window Sensor Ensuite HubConnect Contact Sensor
(Window Sensor Ensuite)
Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater Xiaomi Zigbee Outlet
(Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater)
Zigbee Power Outlet Scooter Xiaomi Zigbee Outlet
(Zigbee Power Outlet Scooter)
If you're unsure which devices are Zigbee, you can get a list of just those from Settings > Zigbee Details (the list above is a bit hard to read and also leaves a bit to the imagination as to what the devices might be; I might suggest providing a list of actual devices/models instead, but I don't think I see any Zigbee bulbs on their besides the Sengleds; not sure if I see any Zigbee outlets/plugs/switches or other repeaters besides the Xiaomi plugs that I don't have any experience with).
As far as whether it's better to add repeaters or get a second hub, adding more repeaters to one network is almost always better than creating a separate network because in that case you have to worry about having enough repeaters on both networks. Exceptions include Zigbee bulbs besides Sengled--where you will likely want to keep bulbs on their own hub to avoid issues with them as repeaters for non-bulb devices--and Xiaomi devices, which some people like to keep on a dedicated hub to avoid problems with "Xiaomi-unfriendly" repeaters, but the latter is definitely not the cause of your issues with the other devices here). Some people also prefer to split up their networks for reasons of personal preference or actual or perceived performance concerns. It appears you might be already doing at least one of the above with HubConnect in some manner.
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Yeah that list was a big large. This is the list from the settings > zigbee area (36):
Toilet Window Sensor (Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Motion Sensor Cat (Motion Sensor Cat)
(unknown:ZGB:0DD2)
Motion Sensor cat 2 (Motion Sensor cat 2)
Kitchen Button (Kitchen Button)
Garage Door Sensor (Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Bedroom Button 2 (Bedroom Button 2)
Kitchen Smoke Detector (Kitchen Smoke Detector)
Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater (Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater)
Dining Room 1 (Sengled Element Classic)
Entrance Light (Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Leak Sensor (Aqara Leak Sensor)
Motion Sensor Mailbox (Motion Sensor Mailbox)
Internal Access Door Sensor (Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Zigbee Power Outlet Scooter (Zigbee Power Outlet Scooter)
Living Room 2 (Sengled Element Classic)
Temperature Sensor Lounge (Temperature Sensor Lounge)
Dining Room 2 (Sengled Element Classic)
Temperature Sensor Living Room (Temperature Sensor Living Room)
Fridge Door Sensor (Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Living Room 1 (Sengled Element Classic)
Desk Button (Desk Button)
Laundry Window Sensor (Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Kitchen Main 1 (Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Motion Sensor 2 (Xiaomi Original Motion Sensor)
Living Room 3 (Sengled Element Classic)
Pantry Door Sensor (Xiaomi Door/Window Sensor)
Kitchen Bench 1 (Sengled Element Classic)
Garage Smoke Detector (Garage Smoke Detector)
Kitchen Motion Sensor 1 (Xiaomi Original Motion Sensor)
Kitchen Main 2 (Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Main 3 (Sengled Element Classic)
Bedroom Button (Bedroom Button)
Kitchen Bench 2 (Sengled Element Classic)
Kitchen Gas Detector (Xiaomi Gas Detector)
Living Room 4 (Sengled Element Classic)
I'm seeing a lot of xiaomi devices. They tend to use an unconventional zigbee protocol and are not guaranteed to work. But I also read that you have a smartthings hub still connected. Might not be a bad idea to move the problem devices to the smartthings hub (if you haven't already) Xiaomi's have caused a lot of people a lot of trouble in the past. Just my immediate thoughts at first glance. Also, I don't see any zigbee powered devices besides bulbs and the sengleds don't repeat for a good reason. A very smart purchase. Everything would be directly connected to the hub then. Might be a good idea to get some powered repeaters into your network.
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I do see a couple repeaters there (the Xiaomi outlets, or at least I assume they are repeaters--most powered devices are, but I have no specific experience here). However, your total device count is very close to the 32-end-device limit of the hub, and I have no idea what the Xiaomi repeaters' limits are (often you'll see something like 4-6 on repeaters, sometimes more--I have a SmartThings plug that devices really seem to like, and an Xbee can go crazy high here, so adding that might help). However, despite issues with Xiaomi devices, I haven't heard of them messing up other devices like bulbs, just "falling off" your network (the Xiaomi devices) if they're routing through an "incompatible" repeater. I suppose weirder things have happened.
I second the advice above to add more repeaters (sounds like you're on it with a future Xbee). It can't hurt. Bulbs directly paired--even Sengleds but also including other bulbs, even on a dedicated hub--have always been problematic for me. This is part of the reason I'm using a Hue Bridge (you don't need Hue bulbs, though they give the fullest feature set; however, Sengled is a notable exception to the general trend that Zigbee bulbs will pair to Hue). So it might not help, either. 
But some people must have better luck than me here, or maybe they just have fewer bulbs than either of us. Trying group messaging can't hurt if you're able to use that and missed that suggestion above, too.
Good luck!
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Could you post child and route info to show what is actually a repeater on your network?
http://[hub ip ]/hub/zigbee/getChildAndRouteInfo
Hi, haven't seen the child and route info before but here it is:
Parent child parameters
EzspGetParentChildParametersResponse [childCount=17, parentEui64=0000000000000000, parentNodeId=65535]
Child Data
child:[Kitchen Button, 270A, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
child:[Living Room 3, AA98, type:EMBER_END_DEVICE]
child:[Living Room 1, 919F, type:EMBER_END_DEVICE]
child:[Kitchen Bench 1, B4EB, type:EMBER_END_DEVICE]
child:[Kitchen Bench 2, F645, type:EMBER_END_DEVICE]
child:[Living Room 2, 78FA, type:EMBER_END_DEVICE]
child:[Kitchen Main 1, 9C6D, type:EMBER_END_DEVICE]
No information for Child 7
child:[Living Room 4, F958, type:EMBER_END_DEVICE]
child:[Bedroom Button, EA4F, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
child:[Desk Button, 9360, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
child:[Kitchen Leak Sensor, 6846, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
child:[Temperature Sensor Lounge, 7909, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
child:[null, ECD8, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
child:[Kitchen Motion Sensor 1, C074, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
child:[Kitchen Motion Sensor 2, 9CE2, type:EMBER_SLEEPY_END_DEVICE]
No information for Child 16
Neighbor Table Entry
[Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater, 56F7], LQI:250, age:3, inCost:3, outCost:1
[Zigbee Power Outlet Scooter, 77E4], LQI:245, age:3, inCost:5, outCost:4
[Kitchen Gas Detector, F7F7], LQI:253, age:3, inCost:3, outCost:1
Route Table Entry
status:Active, age:64, routeRecordState:0, concentratorType:None, [Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater, 56F7] via [Kitchen Gas Detector, F7F7]
status:Active, age:64, routeRecordState:0, concentratorType:None, [Kitchen Gas Detector, F7F7] via [Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater, 56F7]
status:Unused
status:Active, age:64, routeRecordState:0, concentratorType:None, [Kitchen Main 3, DB3B] via [Zigbee Power Outlet Repeater, 56F7]
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
status:Unused
Now there's a relationship I haven't seen before. I've seen repeaters listed as repeating through themselves, but not two repeating through each other.
1 Like
Looks like you might need some repeaters.
Does the lights in your kitchen always work?
St the moment one of the kitchen lights is not working but it seems like each day it might be s different one.
I reread your original post and are you saying they don't work with the button but work via the hubitat Alexa skill?
Also are they responsive on the device pages?
Hi. They work via Alexa e.g I ask Alexa to turn the lights on. So yes I guess via the Alexa Skill in Hubitat. But if I use a switch (Xiaomi button) which triggers a WebCore Piston to run and turn the lights on, the lights dont necessarily all turn on. May be a coincidence. I guess the main issue is that the lights are regularly dropping out from the hub.
Sounds like they aren't dropping off the hub if they still work via Alexa but an issue with piston not running correctly.
I've never used webcore so can't help with that.
One thing to try and validate this is create a group in HE of all the sengled bulbs and try toggling the lights on and off via the group. Try this without zigbee group messaging first. If it works they are all communicating with the hub.
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Hi. Thanks for your thoughts. The reason for thinking that they are dropping off the hub is that they show as offline in the hubitat device monitor.
Hubitat does not have any feature built-in with the name "device monitor." There is an ST community app with that name that might have been ported to Hubitat, and there is also a community Hubitat app called Device Watchdog. Neither really "knows" when a device is offline and (unless configured otherwise but I assume this is what you're talking about) monitors the "Last Activity At" data to make guesses based on the thresholds you provide. All require some knowledge of typical device patterns (e.g., how often they normally "check in" or generate events; for bulbs this may be only when they are successfully digitally manipulated) in order to provide useful information back.
Hi. Yep not s Hubitat built in app. Its called Devicw Monitor and is a user app reporting events.
In this case it shows that the bulbs are not reporting events and sure enough if I try to switch them on, they dont work.
I might have missed this if you mentioned this specifically before, but when you switch them on, are you doing so from the device page? I mean "Devices" on the left, then click/tap into the page for your bulb, and try the buttons for the commands like "On" and "Off" (just to eliminate apps/automations like RM, webCoRE, or Hubitat Dashboard as a potential additional area of concern).
That being said, you do have a lot of Zigbee devices and not a lot of repeaters, so just adding the Xbee I recall you mentioned might help with at least some of this.
I like your thinking re narrowing it down. Just tried turning on directly from devices but that doesnt work. Actually displays a status of already being on. And ... if I try turning it off also directly from devices, it does nothing as well.
