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Updated June 11, 2007 08:00 PDST
Our company wishes to integrate Z-Wave into a product
that can electrically control the tinting of windows. We
wish to utilize an off-the-shelf Z-Wave remote controller
to operate the device initially. We came across the Intermatic
HA-09C controller but it claims only to support eight dim
levels. We need to support a nearly continuous dim level
in the product. Is this limitation of eight levels inherent
in the Z-Wave specification or the implementation of this
particular product?
The Z-Wave Command Class for a lighting dimmer supports
99 steps between On and Off. The HCA09 Remote sends basic
Z-Wave bright and dim commands so it will be able to send
these commands to your device and provide all of these steps.
This will be true for any Z-Wave control device that supports
the Z-Wave Basic Command Class. For more information on
implementing Z-Wave in your products please contact ussales@zen-sys.com.
How can I get Z-Wave light controls to work with Harmony
1000?
The Logitech Harmony 1000 remote control does use Z-Wave
technology for communication between the handheld controller
and the Harmony RF Wireless Extender, IR flasher. At this
time they have not implemented the firmware upgrade that
will allow the Harmony 1000 to act as a general purpose,
Basic Command Class, controller. For more information on
this upgrade please contact Harmony.
Is Z-Wave going to be compatible with Lutron's system?
Will we be able to integrate Z-Wave with an existing or
new Lutron system?
Lutron uses a closed proprietary communications system that
is not directly compatible with Z-Wave technology. There
are general home control systems such as Elk, HAI and HomeSeer
that have the capability to support multiple communications
technologies through one common user interface. With these
type systems it is possible to use Z-Wave technology alongside
Lutron's technology.
I have a network that operates with ACT switches, Lagotek
Touch panels, and a Media Center Vista interface from Lagotek.
It works great, I have an 890pro, an 890, and a 1000 from
Harmony and want to make them work in my existing network.
How do I make any of these remotes work in my existing network
as slaves?
Please see my answer above with regard to the Harmony 1000.
Both the 890 and the 890 pro support Z-Wave Basic Command
Class. Please go to the Logitech
support website, for instructions on using your 890
or 890 pro as secondary controllers. In your specific case,
the Primary Remote (the one originally used to set up your
network) will "Copy To" or Replicate its information
to your 890 or 890 pro. You will need to find out how to
get your Primary Remote to send the information and then
place your 890 of 890 pro in Learn mode.
I can't find any Z-Wave products to buy here in Germany.
Can you tell me where to buy or a name of a manufacturer
in Germany?
Z-Wave products for the German market are or will soon be
available from Danfoss, Merten, Monster Cable, and Hawking.
There are several more companies that are working on products
for the German market to be released before the end of 2007.
For more information on these companies and their products,
please visit the Members section of Z-Wave
Alliance.
Are there any Z-Wave products that use 2.4GHz?
No, Z-Wave uses the 900MHz ISM band and not the 2.4GHz band.
The 900MHz band provides better range and object (wall)
penetration than the 2.4GHz band and also does not run into
interference issues with WiFi and other 2.4GHz technologies.
I bought a Harmony 890 remote with the wireless extender
so I could house my home theater components in an existing
built-in cabinet with wooden doors. Unfortunately, when
my equipment arrived I discovered that the Harmony wireless
extender only responds to Z-Wave. My Onkyo AV receiver and
combo JVC DVD & VCR are behind the wooden doors but
they do not have Z-Wave capability. Is there a device that
I can buy that will convert their IR receptors to read Z-Wave
signals?
The Harmony 890 uses Z-Wave to send commands between the
remote and the remote extender. The remote extender translates
these commands from Z-Wave into IR commands that your AV
receiver, DVD, and VCR can understand. You should be able
to control your AV equipment without having to add any additional
converters.
I am using the Harmony 890 to operate my TV and one
Z-Wave wall switch. I also purchased an Intermatic HA02C
to use as an extra controller, which I cannot use with the
Harmony. It seems that the Harmony 890 must be the primary
controller and the HA07C cannot copy the functions of the
Harmony 890. The question is: I am setting up mood lights
to go on with my TV. I plan to use the Harmony 890. These
mood lights are fluorescent. Will the Intermatic HA02C work
with this light?
The Harmony 890 can control the Intermatic HA02C plug-in
appliance module just fine. In general, florescent lights
do not like to be dimmed so it is best to control them with
a switch and not a dimmer. Many companies using Z-Wave in
their lighting controls have models that will dim magnetic
and electronic low voltage lighting and some types of dimmable
fluorescents. There are some specific "dimmable"
fluorescent lights, some that work with standard light dimmers
and some that require specially matched dimmers. There is
a lot of work going on in this area so it is best to ask
a good lighting retailer or designer about what is available
that might work for your intended application.
Do you know of a Z-Wave motorized controller that can
open up drapes in front of a TV? I want to set it up with
my Harmony 890, so when the TV comes on the drapes open.
Z-Wave motor controllers are available from Electronic
Solutions Inc. Techniku
also supplies motor controllers and the tubular motors that
can be used for your application.
Mark Walters, our resident Z-Wave expert, is vice president
of the Z-Wave Alliance.
