Is my TRV a dud?

Hardware
1

Hey all,

I’ve leant the hard way that buying crappy TRVs from aliexpress was not a good idea.

I have 2 x _TZE200_9xfjixap and one of them just falls off the zigbee network constantly. I can re-add it and it works for a while and then it’s gone again. The other one is basically fine, so I’m assuming I got a dud?

Any ideas what I can do, I was thinking a firmware update or something but this device is so obscure that doesn’t seem to be an option.

Any tips apprecaited - unfortunately it has been too long to do a return

2

Might also be an issue with the Zigbee network. Try swapping the TRVs to see if the problem stays with the location or the TRV.

Also if you haven’t read it yet, check out Zigbee network optimization: a how-to guide for avoiding radio frequency interference + adding Zigbee Router devices (repeaters/extenders) to get a stable Zigbee network mesh with best possible range and coverage by fully utilizing Zigbee mesh networking

3

Hi, are the batteries giving what the devices need?
Out of curiosity: can you link to a product page?

4

I have 6 crappy trvs from aliexpress and never faced connectivity issue with them. From all battery powered devices those were always the most stable ones.

5

Yeah I’ve tried a bunch of different batteries, they’re just AA’s.

The thing is I have two of these devices in the same room next to each other and they are exactly the same - https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005005978316733.html

6

Thanks. As they are beside each other in the same room (and I did already change the location of this TRV) it doesn’t really make sense that this particular device would have a connectivity issue. It is also the same room as the Zigbee dongle

7

That’s the point: there are quite some different AA battery types.

I’m not saying it is because of the batteries.
It’s just that there are multiple topics about battery powered zigbee devices that do not work well where the batteries are the reason.
With zigbee, this can lead to strange effects AND if your zigbee network is not 100% stable, it can become difficult to pinpoint the cause.

I have ordered 1 Sonoff TRVZB which is unused, still in it’s box because I’m waiting for the right batteries to be delivered. :crossed_fingers: