Leviton DZ15S switch details

Devices & Integrations
#1

I have several DZ15S switches installed. Yesterday one of them went offline for the second time in a little over a week. I figure it must be faulty so I replaced it with another one. The new one is working but I noticed in the IDE that the new one does not show the Route or Metrics section in the device details. All my other DZ15S switches show this information.

Is this normal or is this device faulty too?

#2

It is normal for that info to be missing for any newly added Z-wave device. If it doesn’t show up within a few hours, something is wrong.

Also suggest you check the firmware version on your DZ15S. I and several others had issues with Leviton Z-wave randomly dropping offline. Firmware version 1.20 fixed it for me. Search the forums for “LEVITON DZ15S”

#3

Well, it was physically installed yesterday and added to the network, and then this morning I removed the device from my SmartThings and even factory reset it before I added it back in. As of 7:30 pm EST, it still does not show those items.

Is the firmware version from the ver section on the “Raw Description” line? If so, it is ver 1.18. I have 3 other switches at 1.18 and one at 1.15 and they display the route and metrics just fine.

I guess I will contact Leviton and raise the issue with them to see what they do. Out of curiosity though, how does a Z wave USB stick work? Does it generate a connection to the Z wave network from your computer so that you can push a firmware update to selective devices?

Thanks
Allan

#4

Got no suggestions. I’ve seen it take some time. Also that info is of questionable value so it’s not something I stress out about.

There are two possibilities

  1. The Z-wave stick can be joined to the SmartThings mesh as a secondary controller. It will see all the functioning Z-wave devices in the mesh. You’ll be able to select devices, then select firmware files to be pushed to the devices.
  2. The Z-wave stick can be an independent controller of its own mesh. In this approach you have to remove devices to be upgraded from the SmartThings mesh via exclusion and add them to the mesh controlled by the stick. Then you can do the upgrade, remove them from the stick’s mesh, and add back to the SmartThings mesh.

Although it’s less work and less disruptive, I’ve found the first method to be very hit or miss. Zooz does not recommend it last time I looked at their instructions.

If the firmware update is major, the device might need a factory reset after update.

The second method is hugely annoying as it wipes the device(s) out of all automations. But it’s the most reliable.

Yes, contact Leviton support. Not sure if it’s still the case but in the past they have provided loaner Z-wave sticks as well as the firmware files.

I did my Levitons the expensive way, by purchasing the Z-flash software from Homeseer and an S2-capable Z-wave stick from Zooz. Since then I’ve used the stick several times to upgrade other devices.

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#5

Thanks for the information. I just sent them the details on the support site and got a confirmation email of receipt. Now I just have to wait and see what they say.

#6

Well, you were right, it does take some time. I looked this morning and that switch is now showing the z wave route information. Three days does seem to be a bit long, but at least it’s there.

The main reason I wanted to see the route info is that previously when I was having trouble, I discovered I had ghost ID’s and that was one way of identifying the ID number, as well as from the error in the list events section.

Still waiting to see what Leviton will do, though they have acknowledged receiving my email.

Thanks

Allan

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#7

Makes sense.

One of the things you’ll be able to do with a Z-wave stick joined as a secondary controller is get a matrix of the entire mesh. Shows all direct connections from each device to all others. Which reminds me, I need to review mine after I relocated my hub within the wiring closet.

#8

I was just looking at the HomeSeer site, and it looks like I can buy the stick and the software for $49.95 (I assume that’s USD, I’m in Canada). I’m contemplating buying it if I don’t hear back from Leviton in a reasonable time. Plus this way I will have the device in case I buy more switches in the future and Leviton only gives out a loaner. But if Leviton came out with a new firmware version, how would I get it?

#9

As I mentioned, I’ve used my stick a number of times. When I got mine, Homeseer was out of stock on the sticks and I was at the end of my patience with the leviton devices I had dropping offline.

Good question. I think you’d have to find out via a support case for a problem or by seeing it mentioned on these forums.

I think in general it’s only worth the hassle to upgrade when you’ve got an issue that needs solving.

#10

@HalD, Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I just put in an order for a Zooz stick and am planning to buy the Homeseer Z-Flash Utility like you did to flash my 1.18 DZ15S’s to 1.20.

Question: Does the Homeseer app have the 1.2 firmware built in or do you need to acquire it from somewhere else? If you have to get it from somewhere else, is a Leviton support ticket the only way?

Thanks for your help, brother!

#11

When I bought the HomeSeer utility almost 3 years ago, it had the Leviton 1.2 firmware bundled in.

There’s a cheaper way that others discovered after I did this:

Contact Leviton support. Others have gotten a loaner Z-wave stick and also gotten the updated firmware directly from Leviton. They’ll also point you to a different, free, flash utility.

Even if you keep on with the Zooz stick, it’s better to get the free utility and firmware from the manufacturer.

2 Likes
#12

Thanks a lot for the updated info. Do you know the name of the free flash utility they point you to?

#13

I don’t know what Leviton recomments.

Here’s what Zooz recommends:

https://www.support.getzooz.com/kb/article/253-how-to-perform-an-ota-firmware-update-on-zooz-devices/

#14

Sorry for the late reply. The Homeseer stick came with the 1.2 firmware.

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