Re: Z-Wave RF range

[Joerg <notthisjoergsch@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert L Bass wrote:

>>OTOH such a weak RF link leads
>>to inconsistent operation...
>
>
> Have you tried Z-Wave?
>

No but I have other RF remotes here. Plus I do lots of EMC measurements
for a living.

I haven't tried Z-Wave yet because I have experienced lack of range on
all of the RF gear we have. Pretty much what Pete mentioned in a post
further below. You can end a phone conversation simply by walking into
the garage with the wireless phone. IMHO it doesn't make much sense to
sink money into an RF based system. If it were available at Lowes or HD
and there'd be a no-questions-asked return policy, then maybe. Although
it would still most likely be a waste of time ;-)

>
>>Out here the houses that were insulated
>>"extra good" also have insulation inside
>>some interior walls. This is aluminum
>>backed as well...
>
>
> I'm not surew where "out here" might be but I can assure you after working on construction sites for over 24 years that aluminum
> foil backed insulation is uncommon and that any backing in interior walls is rare since it represents an unnecessary cost (something
> builders are loathe to accept).
>

About 35 miles east of Sacramento, CA. Lots of houses here with
foil-backed wool. It is still widely used, like on our roof six years
ago. We have foil-backed fiber under a Decra metal roof. Same in Europe.
When we insulated our attic we bought the "good stuff" which is foil
backed. Yes, you could get cheap paper-backed but I've seen in other
houses how that falls out of the rafters after a few years.

Then there is radiant heat. In our house some <censored> before us has
cut off the pipes but it must have been marvelous: There is a 2"
concrete mud bed over all the floors and lots of copper pipes in there.
That is probably the reason why the reach of RF remotes from the
downstairs room up is so poor.

Unnecessary cost? Sure. But there are still lots of homes going up
around here that aren't the usual cookie-cutters. Where owners specify
exactly what they want to have. One even built the whole thing himself,
just him and his wife. They've got the best wall insulation that money
can buy.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com