They always say that and it generally does not do anything useful.
Hi there. ,thank you for your help. Zooz Tech Dept is suggesting I upgrade firmware. That means I will have to start mostly from scratch since I need to exclude, factory reset and include. What I have noticed is that the problem radicate (it is my impression) on the Zen72. The project is for a customer so can't tell with certainty. What I have noticed is that the devices that freeze are mostly Zen72 (70% of all devices installed ) On the Living Room and Entry there is a set of 2 Zen72 next to 1 Zen32 (same configuration on both places). Zen72 freeze and Zen32 does work well. When triggering scenes or actions from Zen32 buttons everything works except frozen dimmers and when I reset the breaker dimmers restart and become part of the previously selected scene activated on Zen32. When communitating Zooz Tech Support they requested information on all Firmware versions. Their reply was suggesting to update just Zen72 and leave the others as they are.
You dont need to do this after a firmware update on the 7x switches. They just tell everyone that for some reason.
I would suggest using this driver: [DRIVER] Zooz ZEN Switches Advanced (and Dimmers)
Once firmware is updated confirm all settings on the device page, save, wait for it to sync, then run configure to push all settings to the device.
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While you are working on the firmware, is there anything unique about the freezing dimmers?
i.e.
- are 3 way when others are 2 way, or vice versa
- different load types.
Are there ZEN72's that don't freeze?
I decided to include on my mesh one Zen72 for testing. I was able to upgrade Firmware, made some changes on setting save them and then after pressing configure the new Firmware version showed on Device details. Thank you this way will save me a lot of time
Hi there.. All Zen72 are single pole no 3 way, any 3 way is doing by rules. Load types are mostly GU10 MR16 (70 Watts max) or Triarc LED Drivers. Regarding your last I am not 100% if some don't freeze I did paid attention to that since I think the problem was on possible voltage peaks that. I installed an energy meter and I am waiting for the results. If devices freeze while on the project I will check if at least one keeps working or all freeze
I have had this behaviour on zen21, zen71, zen26, zen76, and zen27.
The zen21 and zen71 were my fault - I am using them on bathroom exhaust fans. A snubber cct on the output fixes it.
The others, a load resistor (or a bypass) fixes it.
Possible not the only way to fix it but switches are sensitive to noise from the load. Also when they are off, there are considerable peaks on the output. Only an oscilloscope will show you what you are dealing with.
My default for new installations is a 24k load resistor in parallel with the output.
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BTW Sorry you are having so much trouble with your project. I hope your customer is understanding.
@steve.maddigan 's issue seems to be a different issue, related to powering low power requirement devices. He didn't say if the switch was freezing or just not controlling the lights properly.
I have a ZEN27 controlling my front light. With a single bulb drawing 7 Watt (50 ma) its been working for years.
From my experience (with electronics, not just HA) freezing or similar reactions are due to voltage spikes. Very short and very high. These are not likely to be sensed by a consumer energy meter, the ones the power company uses will sense these.
Not sure where you are physically located so this may not apply, however could static discharge be a consideration? I'm in New England and it still not dry enough to be an issue here but I figured I would throw it out there.
I apologize, you are correct.
First the paddle operation freezes, usually right after the paddle is pressed to turn the light on. Sometimes the switch still accepts zwave commands afterwards, but if it does, not for long, and then all operations stop.
Just stared to upgrade firmware on 6 devices (all in one area). Will see how they behave. There are a few Zen72 with very low loads (14 Watts, 21 Watts). Those freeze about 2 - 3 times a day. This might be also something that I will have to test. Thank you for your feedback.
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Thank you for your help... I did set up a voltage logger (register every 15 seconds). I will check results on Monday. I don't know if there is another measuring tool or technique to detect the problem. I'm in Panama City Panama and the mayor problem is spikes and I am leaning towards that problem, but don't have the data yet to confirm. I recommended my customer a surge protector . https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-51120-1-Panel-Protector-240-Volt/dp/B00081K55Q/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1MF6GECMZTLCK&keywords=leviton+surge+protector&qid=1699652342&sprefix=leviton+surge%2Caps%2C206&sr=8-3
I hope I can solve this fast since it is not confortable turning breakers on and off so you can control your lights.
By the way went to college in New England (RI). Very beautiful states
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I wanted to confirm if the driver is Zooz Zen Dimmer Advance? If there is other do you have a more specific name?
Yes "Zooz ZEN Dimmer Advanced"
Here: https://github.com/jtp10181/Hubitat/blob/main/Drivers/zooz/zooz-zen-dimmer.groovy
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Probably as good as any. The EATON CHSPT2ULTRA has more reviews (would assume its popularity is warranted).
Today I went to the property and installed a surge suppressor for a few days. On Nov 11 I updated firmware of 8 zen72 and it looks like the situation improved. I hope that by installing the surge suppressor the problem disappears.
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Nice. I’m glad you are making progress.
Hello. After a few days it looks like the problem of Zen72 freezing stopped. I updated firmware from 3.1 to 3.3 on all Zen72. Also installed Leviton 51120-1 surge protector.
Considering the frequency of power cycles (breaker resets) for all these Zen72 devices, is there anything specific that needs to be checked on the Z-wave mesh?
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Not really, it may have caused some issues when a device went down but it should recover on its own. If you have any devices showing really odd routes in zwave details it could be from re-routing when something went down, you could run a repair on just that device.
As long all devices have a good response time it is best to just let zwave do its thing.
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So, i had about 20 old Linear original Z-wave dimmer switches, which about two years ago arbitrarily started slowly going from zero to 100 and back down again, maybe once a month per switch. I assumed it was the old Linear dimmers, and replaced them all (!) with Leviton or GE/Enbrighten Z-Wave plus switches. Now, the dimmers on those same circuits are occasionally arbirtrarily locking up entirely, as you've described here. It only happens on switches that are not on a three-way circuit. It's totally bizarre, and I can only conclude that there is something that happened in a Hubitat firmware update around 2022 that is causing this to happen. It can't possibly be the switches, since it's three brands on the same circuits. I've tested the voltage and everything is stable and fine. I'll post this separately and reach out to Hubitat as well.
