Older Leviton devices

[helios (Jim Archer)]

Hi All…

I just ordered a Smartthings V2 hub from Amazon and it arrives tomorrow. My plan was to replace a Vera Lite with it, since the Vera has been a constant aggravation. My lights just need to work.

Anyhow, I didn’t think to check my devices before I ordered and now it seems that they are not on the compatibility list. I’m wondering if there is a way to make them work? The devices are light switches, dimmers and scene controllers:

Dimmer: RZI10
On/Off Switch: RZS15
Scene Controller: RZCS4

If the Smartthings V2 can’t work, can someone suggest a controller that will work?

Thanks…

[KC_703 (Kenneth C)]

This ST site has a section for compatible devices:

SmartThings.

[helios (Jim Archer)]

Right, and it appears that my devices are not on it. But I’m wondering if there is a way to make them work anyhow? Perhaps as generic devices?

[whoismoses (Eric)]

There are lots of devices that are not on that list that can work. I don’t see why they wouldn’t pair but I haven’t look into it extensively. Just try to pair them when the hub arrives and see what happens. You might have to manually change the device handler in the IDE.

Make sure you try to exclude them first.

How to exclude Z-Wave devices

[helios (Jim Archer)]

Okay mixed news on this front. I installed the hub and app, easy enough. I then put one of the scene controllers in include mode and the hub found it right away! Same with one of the dimmer switches. So I can control the dimmer switch, that’s great!

Then I figured out that I can make an “automation” to turn that light on at some preset dim level and another to turn it off. Okay, good.

What I have not figured out how to do is to associate a button on the 4 button scene controller with those automations. In fact, if I click on the scene controller (from the “My Home” page) I see the scene controller, and if I click on it I see an odd icon and two little plug receptacle icons, one labeled ON and the other labeled OFF. They don’t do a thing. I think I need to install a “smartapp” to give me the rest of the buttons, but I can’t find one.

If I have to replace my scene controllers, that’s not the end of the world. I have only 3 of them. But on the Smartthings storr, under “things” I don’t see any multi button controllers. I’m thinking there must be a way to do this, short of going back to Vera.

Can someone point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

UPDATE:

The scene controllers are Leviton RZCS4

Apparently some scene controllers can send commands to a hub while others just talk directly to other Z-Wave devices. Bottom line, I think I need some kind of multi button device that mounts in a wall switch box and send commands to the hub, which commands can then be assigned to automations. Right???

[JDRoberts]

I’m really tired right now, so I can’t give you a detailed answer. But as far as the RCS4, you need a custom device type handler.

If you haven’t used custom code with SmartThings before, it’s pretty straightforward: basically you copy the author’s code and paste it into your own account. Here’s the FAQ for that.

FAQ: An Overview of Using Custom Code in SmartThings

So you're new to SmartThings, you asked a question, and someone suggested "custom code" as an answer. Or you were browsing the forums, and you found something that sounded like it would be perfect for what you wanted, but again, "uses custom code." What does that mean, how hard is it to do, and what's the difference between a "SmartApp" and a "Device Type Handler"? (Note: the official terminology has changed a couple of times. "device type handler," "device handler," "DTH," and "device type" all mean the same thing, and you will find all these terms used in the forums.) SECTION I: SMARTAPPS AND DEVICE HANDLERS: WHAT THEY ARE SmartAPPS: Tiny Programs to decide what a specific device should do when, or to collect the information from a specific device SmartApps, including the var…

Then if you decide that’s something you want to move forward with, here’s the thread about the RCS4. If you have any follow-up questions on that specific device, ask in that thread and people will be glad to help you.

Leviton VRCS4

I've created a device type for the Leviton Vizia VRCS4 Scene Controller. Because of the way the scene commands work, I essentially turned it into a 4 button remote, 3 if there is a built in relay. Setting it up is a bit of work: Note: buttons are numbered 1-4 and dim, with dim at the bottom. To associate, press and hold buttons 1 and 3 on the VRCS4 for 5 seconds, the LEDs will start to flash amber. Hold the SmartThings Hub near to the device tell the SmartThings app to connect a new device. Note: you tell the device to connect before the hub. The hub should find a ZWave Remote. This will eventually be your scene controller. If you have a load connected to the VRCS4 (hardwired): Go back to the SmartThings app dashboard. Press and hold buttons 2 and 4 on the VRCS4 for 5 seconds. The…

[JDRoberts]

And if you’re interested in looking at alternative devices, here’s the FAQ that lists the ones that work. But you’ll see that the RCS4 is on that list as well. You can make it work, you just need the right code for it.

FAQ: Full list of buttons and remotes confirmed to work with SmartThings

I’d like to know which buttons and remotes are currently supported or might be supported in the future. Ideally, I’d like to find something similar to the following: http://www.evolvecontrols.com/devices/control-devices/glass-series Though alternatively just a simple nice-looking button which actually works unlike this Aeon according to Amazon reviews: There is an Aeon Key Fob as well, but it doesn’t seem to be very durable or stylish: What else is available?

[KC_703 (Kenneth C)]

Hmm… not sure if the Button Controller+ app might work with your scene controller. It allows control of 2 dimmers per button assignment. If you need more dimmers controlled, a virtual button could allow grouping of dimmers… but then you’d still be restricted to two dimlevels.

[JDRoberts]

Hmm… not sure if the Button Controller+ app might work with your scene controller. It allows control of 2 dimmers per button assignment. If you need more dimmers controlled, a virtual button could allow grouping of dimmers… but then you’d still be restricted to two dimlevels.

It would work, but only after the custom device type handler has been assigned to the device. Otherwise it won’t appear as a button controller.

In SmartThings, a “button controller” is any device whose device type handler simply sends a message to the hub when a button has been pressed, long pressed, or held. Of course, that can only happen if the physical device itself sends a transmission when those buttons are pressed.

As @helios noted, some devices do send information to the hub when the physical button is pressed, and others don’t. If the device doesn’t, then there’s nothing to capture.

In the case of the older Leviton devices, the “zone controllers” don’t send the information, but the “scene controllers” do.

This terminology varies from manufacturer to manufacturer however. For example, the GE “scene controllers” do not send information to the hub.

So you just have to check the specs for any particular model that you’re interested in.

[ajpri (Austin Pritchett)]

I’ve had luck with all zwave plugs/dimmers. I have a Levitron dimmer (not sure of model) that works great.

[helios (Jim Archer)]

Thanks @JDRoberts that was a huge help. I have a test scene controller mostly working. There is some strangeness going on around button 1. I’m a Java developer so maybe I can make some enhancements to the driver and smartapp.