I have been successful setting up 3 way lights with z wave switches by associating them together but I cannot seem to figure out 4 way lights (3 switches) since the device only let's you associate a master and 1 accessory so there is no way to get the 2nd switch to work. Anyone know how to do this?
Is your question specifically how to do that using association, or are you open to wiring the switches as needed for 4-way operation?
Each switch vendor documents how to do it with their switches (some use add-on switches, some use existing SPDT and DPDT switches), so it would help to know what kind of switches we are talking about.
Zooz, for example, documents their 4-way wiring here.
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What type of switches are you using? How are the current (if any) mains wires connected.
Do you need all switches to be smart or could you use one or two dumb switches?
One of my current 4-ways is a smart switch (Zooz), a "dumb" 4-way switch and a "dumb" 3-way switch.
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You could use the Leviton switches and dimmers that have companion switches. The wiring is a bit different but they work great on 3,4,5 way. Leviton also has a companion dimmer so you can dim the lights from any of the switch locations.
GE/Jasco also have these, and Zooz and Inovelli also have various ways to add an accessory switch (depending upon exact model switch).
You could do a virtual 3/4/5 way with some simple apps or rules. The built-in Mirror app, for example, would be one easy way to do so. The auxiliary switch also could be buttons in some cases and you would use a button app.
The Zooz Zen 34 battery powered Zwave switch might also be a good way to do a virtual 3/4/5 way and would be brand agnostic with your other switches.
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I have done this for our upstairs hallway lights.. I have Zooz Zen 23s with the main light switch which is wired single poll and the ancillary switches no load (or use smart bulb mode) . I use the scene control button events of the smart switches to toggle the light on/off. Works really well and you don't get the relay clicking everywhere. I did try Zwave associations but found it to be too slow and not necessarily reliable.. but it could have been something I messed up in the configuration..
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The Leviton smart companion dimmers have the nice feature that the dim level LEDs are reflected on both the master AND all companions. They also have the dim adjustment rockers separate from the on/off paddles which I consider a nice feature. Even Lutron's Maestro and RadioRA2 companions don't have the dim level LEDs.
I see a few ways to accomplish this.
1) with Inovelli smart switch and two auxiliary switches.
The inovelli dimmers can connect to a number of auxiliary (GE brand) switches. This gives some benefits:
a) because the aux switches connect directly to the dimmer there is virtually no delay in operation for any of the 3 devices.
b) you can dim from any location.
2) With dumb switches:
This is a typical 4-way showing how the "4 way" switch accomplishes the required function. There are a number of alternate wiring configurations for situations where the mains and lamp are in other location.
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I have several Red series dimmers setup with Jasco companions in 3 way configurations.
One con however - you can't do any multi press or scene control from the companions. on/off/dim only. That can be confusing.
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I am running eaton z wave 9601 Master switches in the master locations, that control the lights directly. I am running 9617 accessory switches in the other locations. Everything is wired for power but I disconnected and capped off all of the traveler wires connected to the original switches. I was able to make the 3-way connection work by associating the master with the accessory. The 4-way locations only work from the master switch.
