I have been using Z-Wave for about 5 years (just switched to SmartThings from Homeseer) and with homeseer, if I had a range issue adding a device, I could just move the computer closer to the device and it would pair no problem. Once the network was established the longer range to the hub wasnāt a problem.
Iām running into this issue now though. Seeing the hub has a leash on it (Ethernet cable), Iām having a problem pairing my dimmer light to my pool (approx. 85ā line of sight to the hub).
What are your suggestions? My first thought was to run a 50ā Ethernet cable and power and temporarily put the hub in the back yard to get closer.
The interesting part is that the hot tub dimmer paired and is working but every now and then the device gets marked āunavailableā. At that point, I just refresh it and it is fine.
The switches are Linear 500W Dimmers that are mounted in my breaker box behind the pool equipment.
I donāt recall if it was Z-Wave Plus or not because itās just a dimmer so wasnāt too concerned at the time. I checked on Amazon, but it doesnāt say plus but has a z-wave plus logo in one of the pix.
I was thinking I would need to go gangsta with my network and run a long Ethernet cable just to pair this oneā¦
For the life of me, I donāt understand why Samsung didnāt build WiFi into the Hub for Gen2 for this exact problem.
For a zwave classic device, The easiest way is probably to use a minimote. These are available on both the US and UK frequency. ( you can also use it for zwave devices, itās just that you probably wonāt need to.)
A minimote has two completely separate functions. On an every day basis, it can serve as a handheld remote, and each of the four visible buttons can be assigned to anything that SmartThings can do. So it can turn on another device, change the mode, arm the smart home monitor feature, etc.
In addition, and this is what is relevant here, there are four buttons inside a slider compartment that can be used for administrative functions, including pairing New devices to your network. Very useful.
Just make sure you get the correct frequency for your region.
Thanks for the info! I have seen these in the past, but never needed them because most of my devices were hard wired and I even have a 7 button scene controller a the top of my staircase.
If I canāt get the long Ethernet cable to work, I will give this a shot.
A couple years back before Homeseer came out with the Z-Wave plus stick, I used the Aeotec Smart Stick which had a button on it and a built in rechargeable battery that I could walk around, pair or unpair devices and when all was done, plug it back into the computer and sync the data.
Just remember, as @anon36505037 mentioned, to do a zwave repair afterwards, since you are moving the hub to a different physical location.
You didnāt have to run this yourself with homeseer, it ran a repair is part of regular maintenance through the Z-health options. But with smartthings, you have to initiate it yourself each time.
I was finally able to get these devices to pair and I added an outdoor switch halfway in between the pool and hot tub lights, but now they are showing āunavailableā
They may just be too far away from the hub, this happens to the sensor in my shed all the time. When the shed door is open no issue, when I close the shed door and have device health āunavailableā. I donāt really have a good half way area to install a repeater or another device to improve the mesh.