New z-stick first time z-wave help

[kevin1]

Finally have z-wave :-)  Received my z-stick gen5 yesterday.  Installed driver from aeotec.com then it is recognized via serial port in HG. 

-inclusion mode got a brief flash and 2 sec blue led for motion sensor

-I don't see the device in HG though (can't add to dashboard group), do I need to discover the device in HG, or use the button on zstick while out of PC?

-I am seeing one z-wave device in HG, I think it is my fire alarm even though I didn't include it, just shows 'binary sensor'  not showing any date or indication of motion detection.

-in device settings the several buttons dont' seem to get any response: manufacturer, routing, basic value

Is there HG documentation on how all the z-wave setup works?  I couldn't find it when I looked couple days ago.

Once I understand the methods here, I was planning to create a thread for each device with basic info to help others documenting successful use of given z-wave device.

Thanks!!!

[Zen]

To include device you need to take z-stick out of computer, click button on z-stick and initiate inclusion mode on the device (procedure varies from device to device). Wait until z-stciks blinks slow again, then put it back in the computer and start discovery (new HomeGenie version may do it automatically for you). Then go to configure groups and add new Z-Wave device.

[kevin1]

Okay thanks.  I tried pulling the z-stick to include the sensor which I think worked (quick blue flash then solid blue).  I'll try again and then do the discover as you mentioned.

[kevin1]

Making a little progress with the z-wave sensors but this is frustrating!  I can't imagine regular consumers dealing with this.  I am pulling the z-stick and using the manual button press to include/exclude devices and it seems to work based on the LEDs.

Motion Sensor appears to be recognized as node 2 but HG is not getting any device type info and it doesn't appear to be sending any data to the widget.

Got one door sensor included into HG as node 3 and it is showing some device type info but it does not show open closed or battery :-(

Then I try to add another door sensor but it appears to be recognized as node 3 as well so it doesn't show up in HG.

Then tried to add fire alarm (which was included successfully based on LEDs), it doesn't show at all in the HG discover screen or on the add widgets.

Am I missing something or is z-wave always a pain like this?

[Zen]

It gets better over time. Make sure the device is associated (Group ID) and configure parameters (variable ID in HomeGenie) to send reports. Look up on the web to find parameters for your device if it's not in the manual.

[kevin1]

The devices are starting to show up now, seems like if I have the cover off they should be on and transmitting while the LED is on.

Can you point to description of the association stuff?  No idea what that is for or how to set.

My door sensors pop up a notify when I push the tamper switch, but widget always shows 1 regardless of tamper or reed switch position.

Thanks for the help!

[Zen]

To check for associations go to device settings, Setup and you will see "Associations". Under group Id 1 click "Get". You should see number 1. If not, then type number 1 bellow (Between "Add" and "Remove" buttons) and click Add.

Associations tell device to send reports to the Group 1. Variable ID's like 101 and 111 tell what reports to send and how often.

[kevin1]

I am getting timeout errors for any time I try to get manufacturer or association groups. I have the covers off the sensors and their LEDs are on. Does this mean they are awake and should be able to transmit back when queries by HG?  Also tried talking tapping the tamper switch to get them to wake and then hitting the buttons in HG, still error.

Do z-wave devices have to be associated to groups, or this a convenience thing to group similar devices or devices in a room?

Thanks again for your help!

[Zen]

Timeout errors could be because of the bug with HomeGenie v1.1 . I had to switch back to HomeGenie v1.0 to configure some of my Z-Wave devices. I just renamed HomeGenie v1.1 install folder and installed v1.0. Then I switch back and forth when I need to by renaming install folders. You do need to stop homegenie service to be able to rename. You could also install another version of HomeGenie on the other computer and take z-stick there to configure. The other possibility for timeouts if device goes to sleep. In this case you need to wake it up. Some devices wake up when you unplug them and then plug them back or press association button on the device few times.

If you get any reports from the device in HomeGenie then association is ok and you don't need to change it.

[kevin1]

I dropped back to HG v496 and  one of the door sensors is showing battery and a door icon now but status doesn't change and times out all the time.

Can i wake the door sensor by moving the magnet close and away repeatedly?  Seems like that should force it to send status to the controller/HG?  Seems like opening the cover/tamper switch causes some data to be sent to HG, but the status and door icon doesn't change.  Maybe its showing the auxiliary switch (for extra external reed switches)?

My outdoor light / binary switch is showing and works now in the older HG.  Will newer HG remember it?