I would like some input from others who have used this device. The specification that comes with the Zen16 list the power requirement as "12-24 V DC/AC or USB C". The terminals imply the power input should be DC. Elsewhere it recommends a 1 amp adapter (usb I assume). Can someone clarify the power requirements of the Zen 16, preferably with actual experience in its application? My intent is to utilize an actual 12-24 volt power supply of the appropriate wattage/amperage output with a separately fused connection to each Zen16. Having to provide two duplexes just to plug in 4 usb power adapters would make this a highly impractical sprinkler timer.
I believe the intention is to be able to run off the power supply / transformer of the devices being connected to it when they are low voltage. So it would make sense that it supports AC or DC. I have only used the USB connector for mine, but I also have a ZEN17 sitting here and a power supply I could try.
What are you asking exactly? How much amps? DC vs AC?
The ZEN16 manual does not show it but the ZEN17 manual shows sharing a power source with the devices.
I've powered one on 24vac for my old gate operator.
I think I have a spare zen16 and a usb multimeter.
I could measure volts and amps with all three relay powered.
Even though it'd be ~5vdc, I imagine you could scale it up if you assume watts is constant for the different voltages.
I get .38amps at 5.1 volts when all three relays are powered,
How about something like this? I think I got it on Amazon.
I would like to thank everybody for their input. I received this response from Smart House technical support on why usb chargers were not recommended. "The reason we warn against chargers is that they are what we call an impulse power supply. An impulse power supply requires a load to activate - so a particular amount of charge on the other side. Laptops, tablets, and phones have powerful batteries that will start drawing a certain amount of power, and this activates the power supply. If a given device doesn't draw enough power, the power supply / charger will not activate. Because the ZEN16 has special electronics inside, it can be damaged by these types of power supplies. Another way to think of an adapter is as an external battery for the ZEN16. It supplies constant power to the ZEN16, regardless of how little or how much the ZEN16 is drawing. This steady power is essential to the longevity and proper operation of the device. " I believe I will try this conventional power supply from West Florida Components PMT12V35W1AA 12V 2.92A 35W AC/DC Converter Power Supply Delta
I am using a 12VDC power supply that came with an old router to power my Zen16. One of the relays is powering 12V LED strip lights under our bed so this power supply is powering these lights as well.
I have been using that 3 way plug in the picture to power a ZEN16 and a Zooz ZSE18 motion sensor for a while now with no problems. I think it's pretty basic.
the ZEN16 would be powered by DC. if you use USB-C or 12-24V, you would have a power brick that would convert your AC voltage to DC.
i'm personally running mine on the 12V DC through the terminals as I'm also using that 12V to power some other things, so i can parallel connect to that 12V input
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