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Updated February 11, 2008 01:00 EST
I am planning on buying a 900 MHz remote keyless entry
for my car. I understand that Z-Wave works off of 900 MHz.
does this mean that I will be able to control this device
with my harmony 1000 and an RF extender?
No, unfortunately not. The 900MHz ISM, (industrial, scientific,
and medical) is a group or band of frequencies or channels,
not a single channel. Z-Wave uses a single channel in this
band, specifically 908.42 in the United States and 868.42
in Europe. In addition to being on the same channel, the
radios would have to be using exactly the same modulation
technique (think AM vs. FM radios). Lastly even if the radios
were on the same channel, 908.42 and used the same modulation
technique (in this case FSK or frequency key shifting),
they would still have to use the same command language.
You can see that creating truly interoperable products is
not an easy task. That is what makes the Z-Wave brand and
logo so valuable; they ensure that products with Z-Wave
logos will interoperate.
I have a plasma lift that uses discrete inputs (low
voltage or contact closure) to raise, lower and swivel the
lift. Are there any Z-Wave products out there that I could
use to operate this lift? I am trying to integrate my Harmony
890 with the lift.
Low voltage or contact closure modules are available from
ACT,
part number ZFR113.
I have some x-comfort products from Moeller and wonder
if I can combine them with Z-Wave products?
It depends on what you have from Moeller.
Most integration will be done through a central device such
as a computer that has interfaces for both the Moeller and
Z-Wave products. There are Z-Wave to RS232 bridges available
and I'm sure there is an RS232 control option for your Moeller
products, you might look in to that.
Is there home automation computer software available
for timed and theme events instead of using a remote?
Yes, there are many different software packages that will
do timed and themed events. Take a look at mControl from
Embedded
Automation and HomeSeer's
line of products.
Are there plug-in low voltage relay modules available?
I'm not aware of any plug-in devices however there are relay
modules that will pass low voltage or contact closure available
from ACT part number ZFR113.
Where can I find a simple documentation of how the Z-Wave
mesh network works?
Basically, the Z-Wave
mesh network has built-in "self healing" mechanisms
that automatically reroute messages via other nodes to their
destinations. Check out Zensys
for further explanation.
I bought Leviton lamp modules. Even at full power, I
can hear a distinctive noise from 150W lamps. Without the
dimmers the lamps are silent. Are there dimmers out there
that are silent at full power? Or is it a function of the
triac control in the Z-wave chip?
I have several Leviton lamp modules and they are all silent.
You are correct in what you are hearing is filament vibration
caused by the current being turned on and off by the triac.
This is not a function of the Z-Wave chip but rather a function
of how the manufacturer uses the Z-Wave chip, its programming
and any additional filtering components. I have found that
some brands/models of light bulbs are much more susceptible
to this filament buzz than others. You might want to try
a different brand or style of bulb.
I want to control a recirculation pump. I want to be
able to press a button on a remote and have it actuate a
module that will time out after 5 minutes or 15 minute and
shut off the pump. Is this a reality with Z-Wave?
I'm not aware of any Z-Wave modules available today that
have a timeout feature. There are some remotes that have
this feature. The Scene 1 or Channel 1 position on the Wayne-Dalton
wireless gateway times out after 10 minutes. It might
work for you.
I'm building a house and I need to automate four light
bulbs and my door lock. Can I control them through my computer?
If yes, can you please list the components required for
this setup?
Yes, this is possible using Z-Wave products. There are eight
different companies that make Z-Wave lighting controls and
at this time one company planning on releasing a Z-Wave
controlled door lock later this year.
Is there a device that can convert an IR signal to a
Z-Wave technology originating from a Harmony 1000 remote?
None that I'm aware of. It would be nice if Logitech would
just enable Z-Wave control in the 1000 as they have in the
890.
Does Z-Wave have any issues working at altitudes of
about 7000 feet above sea level?
None I'm aware of.
Mark Walters, our resident Z-Wave expert, is vice president
of the Z-Wave Alliance.
