Z wave, zigbee or wifi but not mesh powered?

[machsnell]

Gents
I was wondering if there was a wifi based system that had better reach than using zwave?

I am trying to automate lights etc usimg zwave but the network has a hard time reaching the different outlets that are farther away or outside.

Primarily outdoor outlet to control low voltage lights transformer and detached garage lights.

I cant get outlets to be withing nearest zwave plus gadget to mesh and provide coverage. Switches inside garage and behind stone wall for outdoor lights etc.

Is there a system that uses wifi signal and doesnt need to be close to another gadget to work like zwave?

I can't believe there isn't something else. I have wifi signal to the items I want to control but I cant get zwave to mesh for proximity.

Thx

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Fasthotrod]

I'm in the same boat... Already invested in ZWave with the switches, controller, etc... I'm trying to tie my shop into the house, but range is the issue. Been looking at buying some range extenders/repeaters to help with this problem:

https://aeotec.com/z-wave-repeater

I'm setting up a WiFi mesh system, but my understanding is that there can only be one master hub for the ZWave stuff. It's mind boggling that there isn't a way to have a networked repeater elsewhere... SmartThings used to support it, but removed it for some reason. I think there is a way to program the system and "trick" it into having two hubs, but I haven't tried it... yet. I'm going to give the repeaters a shot first.

Hope you find something that works for you... If I find anything that looks promising, I'll post it up here for you.

Mark

 

[Radix2]

How about putting in an extra z wave outlet at some middle point to extend the range? Light post? Outside outlet? Do you have units at the closest points already?

 

[machsnell]

Perfect. I cant believe there isn't something that will work as long as you get a wifi signal.

I will check out repeaters and I will try one of the light bulbs w repeater in it also.

Hoping for a better solution.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[ddawg16]

My boss and or IT guy swears by the Orbi

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/netgear-orbi-wifi-system-review/

 

[justsam]

Gents
I was wondering if there was a wifi based system that had better reach than using zwave?

Is there a system that uses wifi signal and doesnt need to be close to another gadget to work like zwave?

I can't believe there isn't something else. I have wifi signal to the items I want to control but I cant get zwave to mesh for proximity.

Thx

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

There are WiFi devices. Not sure how invested in Z-Wave you are, but I have gone mostly to WiFi controlled devices. Check out Wemo and Leviton, I have used both with good success and they interface well with Amazon Echo.

 

[ABSTIFFGS]

About a year ago I got into the Leviton Decora Smart line of smart switches. They are solely wifi based. No hub required. You set up a My Leviton account and it work off the cloud. I have 10 smart switches, dimmers, and smart plugs. So far, I have not had an issues. They are available on Amazon for $35ish each.

 

[JRC3]

Where is you hub located? Is it very central or at one end of the area? I use a simple wifi repeater and have my smartthings (ST) plugged into it located right in the middle of everything. My modem and wifi router is located out in my detached garage and my ST hub is located in the house. I've found my laundry room to be the most central and haven't lost contact with any of my 35 devices throughout the house, garage and shed since moving it there.

For me a simple $25 extender has done the trick. If you have accessibility a network cable is probably best. *See pic* Next I want to mount a shelf to sit it up high.


If you're controlling lights, the Aeotec Micro Smart Dimmer is neat (I have 2). It's about the size of a pack of dental floss and has an external antenna. I have two and never lost contact even when they were the farthest device from the hub. I think Aeotec has a new one but I can't comment on that. I think it's called the Nano.

 

[machsnell]

How about putting in an extra z wave outlet at some middle point to extend the range? Light post? Outside outlet? Do you have units at the closest points already?

I have tried I even put an extension cord to put a zwave outlet in the window to see if it would work. I need to try try the light bulb as a last ditch effort. It is a little maddening.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[machsnell]

About a year ago I got into the Leviton Decora Smart line of smart switches. They are solely wifi based. No hub required. You set up a My Leviton account and it work off the cloud. I have 10 smart switches, dimmers, and smart plugs. So far, I have not had an issues. They are available on Amazon for $35ish each.

I got it on levison and wemo. I will look into that.

Do they an exterior outlet that I can use for low voltage transformer?



Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[machsnell]

Where is you hub located? Is it very central or at one end of the area? I use a simple wifi repeater and have my smartthings (ST) plugged into it located right in the middle of everything. My modem and wifi router is located out in my detached garage and my ST hub is located in the house. I've found my laundry room to be the most central and haven't lost contact with any of my 35 devices throughout the house, garage and shed since moving it there.

For me a simple $25 extender has done the trick. If you have accessibility a network cable is probably best. *See pic* Next I want to mount a shelf to sit it up high.


If you're controlling lights, the Aeotec Micro Smart Dimmer is neat (I have 2). It's about the size of a pack of dental floss and has an external antenna. I have two and never lost contact even when they were the farthest device from the hub. I think Aeotec has a new one but I can't comment on that. I think it's called the Nano.

That is interesting. My hub is fairly centrally located but it is close to my router which I have read is not great because of the interference.

Is the repeater just like a booster? It plugs into the st hub via cat 5 and makes the signal stronger than the hub itsself?

Maybe that would work

I am fairly invested in z wave and would like to make it work but it has been fairly difficult.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[TheLurker]

Gents
I was wondering if there was a wifi based system that had better reach than using zwave?

I am trying to automate lights etc usimg zwave but the network has a hard time reaching the different outlets that are farther away or outside...

How far away is the garage and outside lights? Z-Wave has a pretty long range.

I have some Z-Wave and Belkin WeMo stuff. I like the WeMo stuff because it doesn't need a hub but they don't have much in the way of options. They've pretty much had the same plug in outlets and light switches for a while and they quit producing the WeMo Maker which was their most adaptable and usable device.

If your detached garage is at the Z-Wave's limits, I'd try putting a Z-Wave outlet or light on the outside of the house on the side nearest the garage. Should extend the network for you.

 

[flyt100]

I had a similar issue, trying to reach an outdoor outlet for landscape lighting, behind an outdoor brick fireplace using a Zwave+ GE outdoor outlet (14284), and another one for a pump. I had an indoor GE Zwave+ outlet (14282) on a 2nd story on an outside wall, and it wouldn't reach, but this larger plugin, also GE Zwave+, would work fine (14288). They all were also repeaters, but the 14288 has a significantly longer range than the built in outlets I have, and solved my problem.

 

[jbwilkins]

I have tried I even put an extension cord to put a zwave outlet in the window to see if it would work. I need to try try the light bulb as a last ditch effort. It is a little maddening.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

When you tried this did you ‘rebuild’ the network? Whenever you add or remove a device from a z-wave network you need to do this to reset the mesh routes....

 

[JRC3]

That is interesting. My hub is fairly centrally located but it is close to my router which I have read is not great because of the interference.

You are correct, being that close to the wifi will cause interference (I made that mistake in the beginning), I've had good luck with 24" or so. In that pic I pushed them together to show the setup, sorry to mislead.

Is the repeater just like a booster? It plugs into the st hub via cat 5 and makes the signal stronger than the hub itsself?

No the repeater does not boost the ST, it just gives you more versatility in the ST hub placement away from the wifi router and/or modem.

 

[Git]

The more Z wave devices you have, the better the system works. If it would work out that you added another device closer to your 'problem' device, you could probably kill 2 birds with one stone. Otherwise, I would look at one of the extenders like this one.

Not sure what you're using as a hub, but I use HomeSeer software running on one of my computers. It gives me the option to 'fully optimize' the network and will indicate any problem areas

Also, I personally would be a little wary of 'cloud' based home automation. What happens when the internet is down?

 

[machsnell]

When you tried this did you ‘rebuild’ the network? Whenever you add or remove a device from a z-wave network you need to do this to reset the mesh routes....

No I did not I will try that.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[machsnell]

You are correct, being that close to the wifi will cause interference (I made that mistake in the beginning), I've had good luck with 24" or so. In that pic I pushed them together to show the setup, sorry to mislead.

No the repeater does not boost the ST, it just gives you more versatility in the ST hub placement away from the wifi router and/or modem.

So is this repeater since it is tied via cat 5 better than what GIT recommended of the wireless aoetec?

I ordered a ge 14288 for 22 bucks off Ebay so I will try a few of these things before I give up completely.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[JRC3]

So is this repeater since it is tied via cat 5 better than what GIT recommended of the wireless aoetec?

I ordered a ge 14288 for 22 bucks off Ebay so I will try a few of these things before I give up completely.

My repeater is for wifi and does not extend the range of the hub, it only gives you the ability to place the hub more centrally to all your devices or maybe place it closer to a dead-spot.

If I needed more range I'd probably do the Aeotec over a Zwave outlet that also includes an extender. I'm guessing the Aeotec Git showed is probably stronger. https://aeotec.com/z-wave-repeater ...IDK

 

[ard]

I use zwave PLUS for the outdoor stuff. Some pump and light controls over 150 feet away, bushes, two walls (and radiant barrier) and work fine.

Any zwave device **is** a repeater. I thought I would need to add something to bridge, but its been fine.

Do heed the advice to rebuild or remesh the network.... I use a homeseer controller, stuffed into a telcom closet.

 

[JRC3]

Any zwave device **is** a repeater.

Not always. None of my motion, water or contact sensors are. Or lightbulbs.

 

[tab2]

I am not in the Z game, just Wi-Fi so I have 3 Ubiquiti access points, including one outdoors. As a result I have and use 4 wemo devices. 2 switches and 2 plugs, I love them all. Just bought some more at HD (plug and switch package) for $50. If they still have them today I will buy more.

 

[machsnell]

The more Z wave devices you have, the better the system works. If it would work out that you added another device closer to your 'problem' device, you could probably kill 2 birds with one stone. Otherwise, I would look at one of the extenders like this one.

Not sure what you're using as a hub, but I use HomeSeer software running on one of my computers. It gives me the option to 'fully optimize' the network and will indicate any problem areas



Also, I personally would be a little wary of 'cloud' based home automation. What happens when the internet is down?

Git- and others thanks for the advice. I just wanted to update posts.


I got the aeotec hooked up and wala....control to the lights in the garage. This worked when all others had failed.

Thank you!

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[reader2580]

About a year ago I got into the Leviton Decora Smart line of smart switches. They are solely wifi based. No hub required. You set up a My Leviton account and it work off the cloud. I have 10 smart switches, dimmers, and smart plugs. So far, I have not had an issues. They are available on Amazon for $35ish each.

I worry about anything cloud based like this that won't work at all anymore if the cloud service goes away. Leviton could one day say we're shutting down our cloud service for old devices and you have to buy all new devices to work with our new service.

Electronics go obsolete all the time, but electric switches and receptacle usually last for decades.