I have a question and hoping someone here might have already explored this...
Can I use the Zen51 as a powered Open/Closed contact sensor? I've read some conflicting things on the internet, most of it AI generated so I'm not sure its possible... Here is my use case...
I have been using a battery powered Ecolink Z-Wave Plus Contact Sensor to monitor my fire sprinkler system. If the fire sprinklers activate, it would close the Ecolink contact sensor and trigger various alarms and warnings.
The problem is the Ecolink device is battery powered and lately it has been blowing through batteries every few days... I have 120v power near the fire box and want to add a main powered contact sensor... I have several Zen51's lying around and like I said, depending on what you read, it is supposedly doable.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Maybe @jtp10181 ?
The switch input on the ZEN51 is made to use a switch connected to the hot feed. So it could be done but the contact sensor needs to be able to handle line voltage.
The ZEN57 has two switch leads on it, I think on that one you just have to close the circuit so a regular contact sensor would work.
Have you looked at just adding a battery saver to your existing sensor? Its like a fake battery you put in there which then can plug into the wall. --------- Ok nevermind that idea maybe a new sensor is cheaper CR123A Battery Eliminators - Battery Eliminator Store
I was only looking at the Zen51 cause I have a few of them lying around... So definitely would have been the cheapest option...
I wonder if I can get a cheaper 123 battery power supply maybe on Temu?
Anyway, thanks for the suggestions!
Here is what the AI response was...
AI Overview
You can use the
Zooz ZEN51 as an open/closed sensor by wiring it to a simple switch (like a magnetic contact sensor for a door/window) and configuring it in your Z-Wave hub, typically using the "Garage Door Mode" or "Momentary Switch" setting (Parameter 7), which triggers a brief pulse on the relay to report the contact's open/closed state, often leveraging its dry contact inputs/outputs to bridge the sensor's signal to the relay. The key is to set it to a momentary (pulse) action in your hub's settings, allowing it to briefly activate (close the relay) when the sensor state changes (e.g., door opens), and then report that state back to the hub as an open/closed status for automation.
How it Works & Setup Steps
- Wiring:
- Connect the wires from your magnetic contact sensor (or other dry contact device) to the IN (blue) and OUT (red) pigtails of the ZEN51.
- Connect the main power (Line & Neutral) to the ZEN51's power inputs.
- You'll use the ZEN51's dry contact (IN/OUT) to mimic the input of a standard switch, which then sends the open/closed signal to your Z-Wave hub.
The red/blue is a dry contact relay, so if you trigger the ZEN51 from the hub it would then close that circuit. I see where AI is getting confused, it thinks you want to use the ZEN51 AS a contact sensor, which that would be simulating how a contact sensors works via the output. That is the opposite of what you want. You want to close a circuit manually (via a dumb contact sensor) and then have that signal get sent back to the hub.
And yes you can get blank/dummy batteries online an then wire up your own battery eliminator for cheaper than those premade ones I found. Or possibly a premade one from Ali would be priced better.
I found a usb one on amazon for $15 but its two to three weeks out.
And yeah, I see how the AI search got it wrong... Thank you again. 
