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Re: Wil I be able to use a Z-Wave controller



On Sat, 13 Oct 2007 05:27:17 GMT, Dan Wright wrote:
>
> "Neil Cherry" <njc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:slrnfgutd2.mu5.njc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> On Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:11:11 GMT, Dave Houston wrote:
>>> Neil Cherry <njc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Jason Sharpee also found this:
>>>>
>>>>http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=22201&minisite=10024
>>>
>>> Thanks for that URL. The PDF "Specifying a Vizia RF system" says
>>> more-or-less the same things I've been saying for a few years
>>> (since Z-Wave was introduced). They say you need a node every 30'
>>> "typically" while I've said 20-25' for reliability, especially in
>>> in an unfriendly RF environment.
>>
>> This seems reasonable for whole house automation (one every 25 ft) as
>> it would be one in every room. But for the Christmas lights folks they
>> may have some trouble. My computer is on the far side and the displays
>> would be towards to front of my home.
>>
>> One thing I found out is that in addition the the device module you
>> must have a Master (Leviton calls it a Primary) Remote to group the
>> devices. The RS232 interface is not a master device. So I now need to
>> get a Remote. I intend to go cheap and not get the nice Leviton unit
>> but one of the other ugly units. The RS232 documentation suggests it
>> should work. I've found one for about $45. I'll find out later if
>> Z-Wave will operate without the Remote once the group has been setup.
>
> I've done ~10 Z-wave installations so far and would be glad to answer any
> questions you may have.  I also have a Z-controller serial interface you can
> play with.  Please contact me direct (dan at starwolfsystems dot com).
>
> Some thoughts:
> - Every network must have a master controller.  Its a hand held in
> many cases, though there are several serial ones out there that can
> be master

This I just found out but I did supect it. Are the serial controllers
available for the DIY crowd? Do they have an ASCII interface like the
Leviton RZC0P-1LW?

> - Once setup, the lights will work with the master powered down, but

Excellent!

> without some sort of command device (handheld, computer, etc) how
> are you going to initiate actions?

The serial interface, the Leviton RZC0P-1LW, will be used to issue
commands.

> - The routing algorithm in the master "knows" all devices and
> provides some level of routing optimization.  How "smart" the
> routing actually is seems to vary, and most vendors are a little
> cagy on it.  This also means that unlike X-10 you can not add and
> remove without updating all the controllers in the network.  You
> also must have devices join the network in their intended physical
> location.

That's good to know

--
Linux Home Automation         Neil Cherry       ncherry@xxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.linuxha.com/                         Main site
http://linuxha.blogspot.com/                    My HA Blog
Author of:    	Linux Smart Homes For Dummies


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