Battery-Operated Zigbee or Zwave Relay

[tka (Tim)]

Hi,

I would like to build a battery-operated Zigbee or Zwave relay (just on and off, nothing fancy). Has anybody experience with it? I couldn’t find a single off-the-shelf product, but I do not want to use an arduino because of the power consumption (it should run for at least 3-6 month on 2-4 AA/AAA)

Thanks,

Tim

[DavidCreed]

Hi Tim,

Check these posts out:

Need Battery-Operated Relay

Hello, I am looking for an inexpensive battery-powered z-wave relay that I can use to control low-voltage devices. Does such a device exist? If not, is there information about how I can "roll my own"? I am willing to build the controller myself if someone can point me in the right direction. Thanks,

Possible Arduino sleep w/ ST shield?

i have been reading extensively about how to make an arduino uno sleep to preserve battery life. Most pages i visit are saying to connect a resistor from RX to pin 2. But is rx reserved for ST shield? im quite a beginner here and somewhat losing my mind stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye

Multiple Devices on One Shield

Is it possible to create multiple devices, and main tiles, from one arduino shield? Anyone have an example? Tia, Twack

Cheers,
David

[JohnR (John Rucker)]

When you say build do you mean construct a circuit and communicate with SmartThings? If so here is an example of how to do it with an xBee and a Propeller. I have several devices based on this hardware and the end devices can run months if not over a year on 3 AA batteries. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/157233-Propeller-to-SmartThings-(communicating-with-the-ZigBee-HA-public-profile)

The example in the link above is for a ZigBee router device (always on). To get long battery life you will need to convert it to an end device that puts the propeller a sleep and only wakes it when data has been received. The ZigBee spec has this all very well defined.

Please take note this is not a kit or an Arduino (code and go) solution it is a blog post that discuss the parts required and circuit to turn a LED on and off. You could easily modify the circuit and add a relay.

[tka (Tim)]

Thanks JohnR, that was exactly what I was looking for.

-Tim

[Ash (Ash Raj)]

I couldn’t find a single off-the-shelf product

Check out Cooper’s Anyplace Switch: http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/wiring_devices/products/lighting_controls/aspire_rf_wireless/anyplace.html

[tka (Tim)]

That does not help me. The main goal I have is to replace a wall switch, that does not have a neutral, and where I can not send a current through the wire without activating the device on the switch (for simplicity think a LED lamp).

I also found this tutorial, which seems very useful to me: http://examples.digi.com/lights-motors-more/802-15-4-digital-output-with-an-led/

This together with a solid state relay should do the trick.

Thanks!

[JDRoberts]

Why isn’t the relay drawing power from the wire instead of batteries? The aeotec microswitches are often used for this. And they’ll pass a home inspection in most places, which DIY may not.

Z-Wave socket and switch; Nano Switch • Aeotec by Aeon Labs

Aeon Labs DSC18103-ZWUS, White, US, AL001 Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Smart Energy Switch, 2nd Edition, White, Small - Wall Dimmer Switches - Amazon.com

[Ere]

Without a neutral wire, the z-wave switch does not have power when turned off, so it goes offline.
Fibaro dimmers are a working solution since they don’t require a neutral wire.

I found a helpful article about it here:

I am also looking for a solution to control my roller shutters that don’t have a neutral, so a battery powered switch could do the trick, but I can’t seem to find anything online. Any help would be appreciated.