Z-Wave
I have decided to dabble in Z-Wave for home security as Z-Wave components are apparently ready-to-go.
Z-Wave has been around since about 2005... Products are expensive in New Zealand.
I have been working on Bluetooth LE for a while for low power home security, but never seem to find the time and effort to finish the project.
8 September 2022
Aeotoc Smart Home Hub GP-AEOHUBV3AN
Works well with the Smart Things app.
Good time stamp on events.
Replacing the Vera Edge Controller.
4 July 2018
Added a few of extra Z-Wave devices:
Vision Wireless Garage Door Detector. ZG 8101BR.
- (Qty 2)
- This is a tilt sensor with option for an external switch which is what I need for my aluminium doors and windows to allow good RF radiation.
- Uses 1x CR123A 3 volt Lithium battery. Battery life 3 to 5 years.
Elexa Dome Siren. DMS01. FCC #Z52NAS-AB01Z
- (Qty 2)
- Uses 2x CR123A 3 volt Lithium battery. Battery life up to 3 years.
- Siren plus chimes. Total of 10 unique sounds.
7 Novemebr 2017
Haven't done anything with my Z-Wave stuff for a while but decided to update with what I have.
My main comment on all the Z-Wave door/window sensors I have is that they are not much good for directly mounting on aluminium door and window frames that I have in my house. The door and window frames will severely limit the RF transmission from the sensors.
My plan is to mount the sensors on the wooden reveals, about 50mm from the aluminium.
This will require a small bracket of some sort to carry the magnet and to attached the bracket to the door or window.
VeraEdge Controller.
- Compact.
- Easy to set up.
- Easy to set up events (scenes) (but slow graphical interface) to link sensors to output devices.
Fibaro Door/Window Sensor. FGK-10x. AH V2.5.
- (Qty 3)
- Very compact sensor.
- Uses 1x 3.6 volt Lithium battery (ER14250)... battery hard to get and expensive. Battery life 1 to 2 years.
- Does not configure well in VeraEdge controller. The sensor is recognised as a motion sensor which is not much good when you want to sense the open or closed state of a window.
Parameters as configured by Vera Edge:
Fibaro FGK101 (Firmware V2.5)
Device Type urn:schemas-micasaverde-com:device:MotionSensor:1
Device File D_MotionSensor1.xml
Device Json D_MotionSensor1.json
Parameters as changed in Vera Edge:
Fibaro FGK101 (Firmware V2.5)
Device Type urn:schemas-micasaverde-com:device:DoorSensor:1
Device File D_DoorSensor1.xml
Device Json D_DoorSensor1.json
Fibaro Universal Sensor. FGBS-001. AH V2.1.
- (Qty 1)
- Flexible for experimentation.
- Want to wire in a remote reed switch.
- 2 on-off inputs.
- 1 digital input.
- 2 on-off outputs.
- Voltage requirements 9 to 30 volts. I would have liked to be able to feed this with 3.3 volts.
- Yet to work with this.
Aeotec Door/Window Sensor. Gen 5. ZW120-B.
- (Qty 2)
- Uses 2x AAA 1.5v batteries. Battery life up to 2 years.
- Easy to set up with VeraEdge controller.
Aeotec Door/Window Sensor. Gen 6. ZW112-B.
- (Qty 2)
- Very compact.
- Has built in rechargeable battery. Battery life 6 months to 1 year. Battery recharges in a few hours.
- Easy to set up with VeraEdge controller.
Aeotec LED Bulb. ZW098-B48. B22 connector.
- (Qty 1)
- Fun.
- Expensive.
- Easy to control with VeraEdge.
Aeotec Smart Switch 6. ZW096-B09.
- (Qty 2)
- Easy to control with Vera Edge.
- Have tried switch on and off with a small light bulb.
- Have not played with any of the smart power functions.
Aeotec MultiSensor 6. ZW100-B.
- (Qty 1)
- USB 5V or 2x CR123A batteries.
- Have yet to play around with this device.
25 September 2017
Setup this web page.
Started looking for Z-Wave products on
http://www.activeautomation.co.nz/z-wave-products
Main thing is that NZ (and Australia) operate Z-Wave on 921.42MHz, which is different to Europe and USA frequencies.
Also the mains switching products sourced in NZ are more likely to be approved.