Comfort Automation/ Security System Forums - Zwave

Comfort controling devices z wave devices

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:40:38 -0500

Hi,
I understand how to use a virtural node to change a flag or counter into comfort by associating it with a z wave device. And I understant how to get comfort to control a z wave device in the z wave mapping with a flag. But can you use a virtual node to send the status of a comfort device to the z wave controller. I want a comfort switch to trigger a z-wave routine if possible.

Virtual input not working

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 06:32:32 -0500

I\'ve just moved my zwave controller from a Fibaro HC2 to Home assistant with a zwave dongle. I have been using a zwave door switch as a virtual input for several years.
I\'ve included the comfort alarm into the new system with no problems. I\'ve created a virtual node which I want to use as a virtural input just like before. I\'ve associated the virtual node with a door switch. All good so far. I can see the virtual input in my zone list. But it doesn\'t change state. If I change the node to link to a flag or output it works fine. I open the door and the flag/output toggles state. The other way also works. I can toggle lights off and on from within the comfigurator. Any thoughts on what I\'ve done wrong.

Communication error between UCM baseboard and Z-wave sub-module

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 12:35:16 -0500

I have added a couple of z-wave window sensors to my z-wave network. I want to add them to comfort as part of the alarm system.I did the usual \'learn\' procedure and after a couple of attempts it started to learn. Then Comfigurator stopped learning and the primary controller showed an error message.I tried again but nothing is happenning.Now I see an error in red in the bottom left of the Comfiguratot window; Communication error between UCM baseboard and Z-wave sub-module.I have restarted both Comfort and the primary controller (HomeSeer)
Any suggestions of what may be wrong?Comfort 2 UltraZ-wave module

Z-Wwave door switch as an alarm zone

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 11:23:43 -0500

I\'m trying to avoid running a wire to a door by using a Z-Wave door switch. I cannot understand after many readings of the manual and forum posts how (if it is even possible) how to do this. I can see the switch in the z-wave mapping but then it all gets a bit confusing to me - I\'m an amateur at this. If this is possible what do I need to do? thanks in advance

Z wave association with "virtual" nodes in another Z Wave controller

Thu, 21 Jan 2021 10:25:26 -0500

I\'m stuck. I have a large Z wave network with a comfort alarm chosen because of its Z Wave capability and a Fibaro HC2. The system has 49 devices and 19 scenes many of which run to over 100 lines of LUA code. I have communication between Comfort and HC2 based on Comfort counters. One counter 16 I set to a certain value from a \"device\" or rather a dimmer device object in HC2, which various \"responses\" in Comfort take as instructions to arm or disarm (with necessary 99 over 254 scaling.)The other way I used another counter 15 to be set by comfort to various values to indicate the alarm state (day, night etc.). I set another device object in HC2 to poll the virtual device associated with the counter and I know the alarm state. This is used for example to detect the number of days the house is alarmed (and empty) and after 2 days reduce the heating and ventilation.
For operational purposes e.g. after commanding an \"arm\" event in Comfort we do not assume it is set. We take the Comfort alarm state counter 15 which is being polled by HC2 to tell us the alarm status (because it might be \"failed to arm\"). This works well and from our HC2 phone app we can check if the house is armed and if not force it and see the status coming back saying it has worked. This can sometimes be required because alarm setting is usually caused by the garage door (final exit door) closing as we drive away and we cannot hear the external siren give a beep.
To get reasonable response the polling on counter 15 is set to every 20 seconds. My Zwave network is large and the house is large so many commands take multiple hops with 5 or 6, 3 hop routes. Commands can take a second or more to complete across the network after route discovery.I am coming to realise that this is near practical capacity for a single Z Wave system and there is a distinct need to reduce network activity. (I have tackled this within the HC2 by ensuring we don\'t issue commands when we know the device is in the right state and, if we do send a command over the network, we wait about 10 seconds before sending another. This certainly helps.) All the native HC2 devices are direct push and pull with no polling. (The HC2 controller as device 1 is associated with each remote device so it is directly updated with state changes.)
However when I look at the total network traffic well over half of it is the 20 second polling of the Comfort alarm. From Z Wave 7.061 I should be able to get the Counter 15 \"alarm state\" to directly update the device object in HC2 when it changes. Thus I dramatically reduce the network traffic. But I can\'t.
Counter 15 is set up in a (Comfort) virtual device pointing to a dimmer object in HC2 However although I can set a response on the counter change I cannot specify the network object to where it should direct the update. It happens by coincidence to be object 15 in the Z Wave network This is because Device ID 15 is in the Z Wave mapping table as a \"green\" virtual device and not a Routing slave. I cant change it to the latter in configurator. I can\'t set up a new pairing with HC2 except by the virtual device route because of course there is no Physical device 15.
I\'m also having trouble persuading the Comfort board to Learn any new devices in the network. It is stuck at the time it was added as id 14 a static controller. I can get configurator to the point in \"Learn\" where it is waiting for transfer but not sure which buttons to press in the HC2 interface. Do you happen to know. Is it just the add static controller function again. I have tried it, but to no avail!
Can you help?
Geoff Foden

Counters mapped to Z-Wave nodes appear to be read-only ?

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 17:33:10 -0400

Hi
I have several Aeotec dimmer modules in my Z-Wave network, each of these nodes is mapped to a counter in Comfort.
If I look at the list of counters in Comfigurator, and tick \"Show Status\", I can see the expected values change in real time as I turn lights on/off or dim them from the wall switches.
However whenever I try and write a value to the counter, the counter status briefly changes to the requested value before reverting back to the previous state.It\'s as if the counters are \"read only\".If I try and set counter 31 to a value of 254, while the lights are switched off, I see the following messages on the UCM I/O monitor
> C!1FFE00
< OK
< CT1FFE00
> C?1F
< C?1FFE00
< CT1F0000
If I view the Z-Wave node in the \"Z-Wave mapping\" tab of the Z-Wave UCM, and click \"Switch Device On\", the lights come on.So the ability to communicate via Z-Wave is OK, it seems an issue with the counters?

The Z-Wave device is setup as such
DeviceID: 31
Description: Routing_Slave - Power_Switch_Multilevel
Node Type: BasicListening: Yes
Register Type: Counter
Ch1 Register Number: 31
Ch1 Register Name: Counter031
Using:Comfigurator V3.13.3.0
Comfort II Ultra firmware 7.160
Z-Wave UCM firmware 7.102 Thanks for any help!!

Strange thing

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 09:46:58 -0400

I have a Comfort II with a Z-wave board. I know Z-wave is being phased out - but when its working it works well for me.My Primary Z-wave controller is HomeSeer software. Comfort is a secondary controller.
I have over 40 Z-wave devices some of which are virtual devices created from Comfort.I recently added a couple of new physical devices using the primary controller. They appear and function as they should.I did a \'Learn\' in Comfort so I could uses one of the devices in a Response.The 2 new devices appeared following the LearnHowever - when I go to try and program a response the Z-wave action only shows the Basic Get Command, the Set Command is not available.Not only is not available for the new devices it has disappeared for all devices!The devices still work and I can control them using the ON and Off switches in the Z-wave mapping window.If I go back and load an earlier CCLX everything is back to how it should be!I have tried \'re-learning\' but each time the same thing happens.Any ideas or suggestions are welcome.

New Comfort Install with ZWave UCM

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 17:20:41 -0400

I am about to have some people install a new comfort system, upgrading from comfort 1 which controlled house and Z10.
With new system, I am planning on integrating with ZWave.
Can people please recommend a good Zwave primary controller / kit to start with. I have read on forum Vera Edge and seen posts of Figaro but would really appreciate some advice on what are good devices in UK for comfort integration with the ZWave UCM
Thank you...

The EEPROM data is invalid

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 04:33:07 -0400

Hi - I am having problems with z-wave. I have a Z-Wave 3.42 version 7.104. My Comfort is Comfort 2Z Ultra version 7.142.
I noticed yesterday that a virtual device was not working as it should. I now realise this could have been happening for some time! When I looked at the device it had changed from virtual to basic. I have recently added some new z-wave devices to the primary controller, Homeseer using a zme_uzb stick. All the devices controlled by HomeSeer are working as they should showing no errors. I thought doing a Learn might resolve the problem. I did the Learn and the device that was showing basic reverted to virtual and the new devices appeared in the list. I wrote to the EEPROM when Comfigurator asked me to do so.
However, I then noted a different device although showing as virtual was not in green text and was not working as it should. I did another Learn. This appeared to work but when Comfigurator asked to write to the EEPROM I got the message; The EEPROM data is invalid - please perform a Learn Z-Wave Network operation. I tried to do another Learn but nothing happened. HomeSeer tried numerous times to send the info then timed out. The Comfigurator popup appears; Waiting for response from Z-Wave. It just sits there and does nothing.
I have tried this several times to no avail. I also tried locating the usbstick on the primary controller nearer the Comfort z-wave aerial but that made no difference. This morning I tried to Read From EEPROM and got the same error; The EEPROM data is invalid - please perform a Learn Z-Wave Network operation. I tried a Learn again but still to no avail.
I now am in the position that I can\'t read or write from/to the EEPROM and neither can I Learn from the z-wave network. I have done a reset on the Comfort and restrted the PC running HomeSeer.
I\'m not sure what to try next so all suggestions gratefully received.

Cheers,
Ian

Using Virtual ZWave Nodes to interface to SmartThings hub

Sat, 02 Feb 2019 15:35:49 -0500

Hi All,

I\'m after a bit of advice. I have a Comfort system with CBus integration. Recently I have managed to connect the Comfort to SmartThings in such a way that my CBus lights are represented with Virtual ZWave Nodes. This allows SmartThings and hence Alexa and Siri via Homebridge to control my CBus lighting.

To achieve this I have a response on each ZWave virtual node that sends CBus commands based on the dimmer value supplied by Smartthings - using nested if then else statements I have achieved 4 brightness levels.

Problems to solve:

1. A better way to integate the counter values to get more control of the dimming level.

2. A way to get feedback from the CBus level to Smartthings via ZWave.

I have an original CBus UCS and I believe a 2-way ZWave UCM. As I understand it the newer CBus UCM allows commands to be sent to CBus by just changing the counter value, so I guess I could copy the counter value received from the ZWave UCM to the CBus counter so set the dimmer directly? I also believe I could map the same counter to both so this happens automatically. Is this correct?

The ZWave virtual nodes do not seem to report the counter value back to the ZWave network. Changing the counters in Comfigurator or via a response does not seem to be reflected by Smartthings. Is this because I haven\'t associated the virtual notes with real ZWave devices? I can\'t seem to see any mention of associating devices in Smartthings.
Perhaps I need a newer ZWave UCM or firmware? My ZWave UCM reports Version 7.103 with ZWave Module 3.34.

Many thanks in advance.

Chris Williams

Worcester

England

Radiator valve and modules

Sun, 02 Dec 2018 13:39:38 -0500

Hi all
I plan to add some LC-13 radiator valves and some plugin modules for switching LED lamps to my comfort system - so now plan to add z-wave capability
I currently have heating control via Comfort/Homevision but now wish to add some more control of individual radiators so thought a good opportunity to replace the old X10 modules with Z-wave modules. (yes, I am that old!)
I figure I need the following but want to check with you guys I have understood

UCM/Z-wave
Veraedge to allow me to setup initially (is this still the recommended primary controller needed for this)
LC-13 radiator valves
Z-wave appliance modules - guessing I can\'t use lamp modules as LED bulbs don\'t present enough minimum load? - my goal is to have quiet operation of the lamps rather than a loud relay click - any recommendations on plug in modules?

Questions

Is the above list correct and will this allow me to send commands via comfort to adjust the set point of the radiator valves as well as switch the appliance modules?
I want the appliance modules to also act as signal repeaters for the z-wave network so all LC-13\'s are in range (long house) - do all act as repeaters?
Is the Veraedge then redundant until I wish to make a change to the z-wave network setup?

Any pointer / advice welcome
Many thanks for your time with any responses

Z Wave

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 06:40:04 -0400

I have a comfort alarm installed with peripheral sensors and PIRs and a ZWave board. It works well.
I have as well, another BMS with ZWave and need to communicate between them.
For alarm state e.g. day, night, away etc. I pick up the state in Events/Miscelaneous events/day mode partition 1 and set a response to set a Zwave register to a value. (off=0), day=10..etc.) The other BMS treats the register as a dimmer and polls the state every minute. It works a treat and the other BMS knows what security state the house is in. (It took a while to understand the hidden range conversion from 1-255 to 1-99!)
I would like to be able to signal the state \"that the alarm had been triggered\" to the other system but can\'t find an event driven response that I can program to set the ZWave register in comfort to 100 say.
Could someone explain how I do it please?
Geoff

Domoticz and Comfort

Sat, 05 May 2018 16:27:49 -0400

I have my Domoticz configured in a RPI and a Aeotec zStick Gen5 as the Primary Controller for my zWave network.

Recently added a UCM/ZWave3 to my Comfort system.I did the Learning process from the Comfigurator software and everything seems to be ok at least from the Comfort side. I can see the nodes from the zWave network and the Learning process ends with sucess.

However from the ZWave/Domoticz side I keep getting the Comfort Secondary controller not identified and with a error sign on it (picture attached).

What am I doing wrong? Do I have the wrong expectations on the zWave/Comfort interaction? I was expecting to be able to see the Security Zones in Domoticz and interact with them...

Thanks,Nino

Capture-Domoticz.PNG (Size: 52.94 KB / Downloads: 32)

ZWave lighting strange behaviour (Again)

Sat, 30 Sep 2017 14:56:40 -0400

It\'s happened a few times in the past but it seems again I am struggling with my old nemesis being the lights seem to go on and off by themselves.
At the moment it is my downstairs hall light that is going on and off by itself every few seconds in what seems like a battle with itself.
All my ZWave is controlled by my Fibraro Home Centre 2 as are all of the light switch dimmer modules. I\'ve had no problems for the last couple of weeks as I had my Comfort System temporarily off while I did some work in the loft but today on it went again and the problem started up!
I am 100% convinced Comfort logic is broken here somewhere, I sat in Comfigurator watching the counter toggle from 0 to 255 every few seconds based on incoming responses (from where who knows). Interesting the problem stopped as soon as Comfort was rebooted only to then resume again.
I watched the counter and noticed the counter sometimes reflected the opposite of what the lights were physically at and I\'m convinced it is falling out of step somehow.
I\'ve just broken out of the cycle (at least for now) by waiting until the counter showed the opposite to the actual light and then switching at the light switch to match; the problem then seems to have stopped.
Maybe just a symptom rather than the actual issue but what is true for sure it that I\'m pointing the finger at the UCM/ZWave right now. Chiu could we have some sort of monitor (like other UCM\'s have) to aid in the debugging of this sort of issue. Maybe it is the smart polling that is causing, who knows but my sanity (or wife\'s nagging) is suffering now for sure.
Helpppppppppp!
Ju

Communication error - Zwave problem

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 13:56:32 -0400

I have suddenly started to get a Communication error with UCM2. My UCM2 is a zwave3 and has, up until today, been working fine. I reset the alarm as I had done a change to the programming and after resetting it announced the error.
I see RS485Comms, UCM#2 in red at the bottom of Comigurator.
I have removed the connector and put it on again, and reset again but am still getting the error.
UCM#1 is an Ethernet board and seems OK. I switched the RS485 connectors from UCM#1 to UCM#2 so that it was UCM#2 then UCM#1 but that hasn\'t helped.
I note the green LED is not lit on UCM#2 but is on UCM#1.If I scan for modules I get Not found for UCM#2.
Any suggestions as to what the problem might be?