Questions around integrating ZWave into existing HA setup

[Lennart]

The recent increase in available ZWave hardware for the EU market and the recent wave of ZWave posts on this forum triggered my interest again, after a somewhat disappointing experience with ZWave some time ago (the Homepro ZCU000 USB interface definitely had issues with Homeseer, back then).

I might want to go for a test set, consisting of a USB stick (Aeon Labs Z-stick) and one or two Danfoss radiator thermostats.

However, I'm reluctant to add yet another technology/interface to my HA setup. In my experience it's usually the interface where things break down.

Therefor some questions that experienced ZWave users might be able to answer:

- In Europe, ZWave uses the 868.42 MHz frequency for communication. This is slightly different from (EU) Visonic sensors, that operate on 868.95 MHz. What are your experiences concerning interference between these two technologies? Are these frequencies far enough apart or do they overlap? I would like to keep the 868.95 band as clean as possible (I'm already missing out on Visonic transmissions once in a while due to an excessive amount of sensors and I'm definitely not looking forward to a situation as is currently the case with 433 MHz (X10 RF, KaKu, Harrison, Oregon Scientific, etc. all garbling each other).

- Not an issue yet with the battery powered thermostats, but what are your experiences with power consumption of mains connected ZWave modules (switches and actors)? Is it in the same range as Xanura / Plugwise modules (around 1 Watt each). More? Less?

- Did anyone try the Aeon Labs Z-stick with the Belkin Network USB hub? Did it work? Will things still work if you stop&start the Belkin driver/utility while Homeseer is running? And will it still work if you stop&start Homeseer without stopping&starting the Belkin driver/utility? (I.e. how robust is this setup?) Any things to take into account?

Just trying to prevent another EUR 150,- set of bricks in my "devices that did not make it" cupboard.

Thanks!

Lennart

[Rene]

You can send the contents of your "devices that did not make it" cupboard to me to give them a second chance

Rene.

[mhn]

I can only answer one of your questions.

My Z-Waves dimmers and switches use 1 Watt or less.

Regards
Morten

[EzHome]

I have no problems using z-wave and Visonic Powermax, several z-wave door sensors are very close to the pir's.

About using a hub to connect your z-stick, don't know how it's going to behave in Homeseer. I would prefer to connect it to a fixed USB port but just give it a try and if it doesn't work just send it back.

Let's make z-wave EZ

[r_255]

Aeon runs here fine on the Belkin allong with plc, irtrans and no name bt stick.
I dont use it in a active setup at this moment, but its plugged in and never had a complain about lost connections from hs

[Bwired]

Im very curious about your <b>new</b> findings Lennart, keep us posted!

<hr noshade size="1"><font size="1">Pieter Knuvers
http://www.bwired.nl <i>Online House in the netherlands. Domotica, Home Automation.</i></font id="size1">

[Lennart]

Thanks for your replies! Things look promising: power consumption is more or less the same and the Z-wave stick seems to be compatible with the LAN USB hub. Only the frequency issue remains. Willem-Jan/ezHome, I'll take you up on your offer and give it a try. I'll order the Aeon stick and 2 Danfoss thermostats.

Lennart

[Willem4ever]

ZWAVE is two-way communication and the frequencies are 530 khz apart there should be no problems from that point of view.

I have a small setup of 8 active devices and sofar it seems to work fine. Most of the problems are HS related because ZWAVE still allows manufacturing specifics and HS is not always aware how to deal with it. E.g. I have some Merten Radio RF push buttons which can be learned by HS but it is impossible to associate it with other devices.

I have 8 more devices in the cupboard and anxious awaiting HS to fix the before mentioned problem.