Is there any way to update Z-Wave firmware for GE/Jasco (12727) smart switches?
AFAIK, GE/Jasco wonât release any firmware upgrade files to the public. Do you have a file? Even if the device supported it, without a file you canât upgrade.
12727 looks like a Z-Wave Classic device, I donât think OTA (over-the-air) firmware upgrades are supported so itâs probably not even possible. Itâs not a requirement for Plus devices to support it either.
Thank you for your reply. No, I do not have a file. I hoped that someone would know how to update and where to get the firmware file.
Yes, I called and verified this. They said they push updates out through various hubs so sounds like you are out of luck unless you use a hub. Would be nice if you could at least see if there are updates and what was changed.
Did they give you a âlistâ of Supported Hubs?
Care to share the number you reached them on?
I just called the tech support number on Jascoâs website.
I probably misspoke a bit when I said âthey [Jasco] push updates out through various hubs.â Jasco didnât give a list and I think it is up to the hub manufacturer to decide whether they have this functionality and/or when to push updates.
Its possible that tech support was referring to zigbee switches, as Jasco makes both zwave and zigbee switches (or the rep was confusing the two). I beleive some of their zigbee switches can have OTA updates pushed out, but I have not heard of any hub that supports zwave updates for Jasco switches, and I have never been able to locate a firmware file for the Jasco switches.
As pointed out above, the 12727 is âclassicâ and the hardware itself has limited options and protocols that are stuck in the past. Even if there was a firmware update, the firmware would not bring you the features of the newer Jasco zwave plus switches, like double taps and S2 security, as the hardware itself in the 12727 doesnât support this. What new features are you hoping to achieve for this switch with a firmware update?
For me, I was looking for better control over the ramp rate. The switches have fast and slow only. Slow I believe is about 5-6 seconds and fast is about 3. I was hoping to have something more like 2 as 3 seems a bit long and also seems to create some jitter in certain bulbs as it steps through increasing the brightness. Some other brands have improvements like having a LED vs Incandescent setting. I assume this just changes how the brightness / ramping curve as LEDâs use less power. Additional features such as this if they were available would be great.
Previous hardware may have limited code space, but otherwise, multi-tap is trivial to implement. Granted, the latest security may be too processor-intensive without dedicated hardware. It appears that Jasco is actually removing configuration options. For example, I have a bunch of the latest Jasco 55258 Fan Controller with no way to configure the LED operation. Itâs always off unless youâre adjusting speed. I would love to see some open-source firmware developed. Of course, that would blow the whole âcertificationâ effort. You might also have to open up the device to load the initial alternate firmware. Yes, I could buy fancier brands with better support, but I routinely find new/mint Jasco devices on eBay for cheap. I average about $15. Apparently, lots of returns to Home Depot.
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In zwave to support double tap, you now have to add an entirely new command class. With the first line zwave plus switches, that was with the double tap association. The device also needs the ability and memory to store the Node IDâs of associated devices (the old trick was to add the hub as a double tap associated device to get the double taps reported). Newer Jasco switches use the central scene command class, which I donât think was supported until the 500 series chips came out. While implementing double tap in theory should be easy enough, once you look at all the steps needed, with the limited processing power and storage capacity of the older non-zwave plus switches, I just donât see how you actually can make it happen, no matter how well the firmware is written.
As far as custom, open source zwave firmware, I think someone could do it with the newer 500 series chips and up, as they give you much more wiggle room to work with from a programming perspective. It looks like someone put together a blog post to make your own zwave device, and although its not something I have experience in, definitely looks possible for someone with the skills.
The LED operation on the fan control is configured in a way that it communicates the fanâs speed level, and doesnât work the way LEDs do on all the other JASCO switches. This is why I believe they donât expose user override controls for the LED through the config parameters. Per the manual, the LED is used to flash patterns to tell you the speed:
Adjust fan speed
The LED indicator confirms fan speed settings by flashing patterns
LOW â LED will blink every two seconds for 10 seconds
MEDIUM â LED will blink every second for 10 seconds
HIGH â LED will blink every half second for 10 seconds
- To decrease fan speed, press and hold lower rocker.
- To increase fan speed, press and hold upper rocker
Apparently, they will start releasing firmware updates for their devices soon:
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Believe it when you see it 
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At least they are talking about it! Thatâs the first step.
Apparently they have a few select firmware available now.
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Isnât this the same link as what firstof9 posted (one above yours)âŚ?
Or were you trying to convey some message, but your comment got cut short?
Itâs sad that you need to be a million subscribers YouTuber to make a change.
Why didnât all other persons who contacted them about the exact same issue make any change?
Itâs pathetic! For this reason alone their products are banned from my house.
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I agree it should have been made available some time ago, but I do believe this is a step in the right direction.
I used to be very down about Jasco, especially with the older non-plus switches that had the âclick of deathâ, but they have made changes over the years to the point I have purchased new products. The newer generation of switches are much more reliable, and they extended their warranty period to 5 years. Iâve had them actually replace a switch that went bad- Customer service was friendly and sent the replacement quickly. They seem to be standing behind their product more, and are more committed to it. The price is reasonable, and they are almost always available for purchase online even with the supply chain issues.
Iâll definitely be keeping an eye on the new firmware updates - this is something many have wanted for a long time.
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Has anyone successfully been able to update their firmware? I have two fan control switches and cannot get either one of them to update.
I have updated several Jasco dimmers and on/off switches successfully, but have not attempted to update the fan switch. There is an odd disclaimer on their website about the Fan switch I donât fully understand, but it appears there was some change between Micron and Adesto flash that could prevent the user from being able to downgrade if they needed too, and not all firmwares were released
Based on that disclaimer, I have held off on trying as the fan switch works fine as is. Maybe someone else can explain what that disclaimer means better then I can.
You can upgrade to newer versions but you cannot downgrade to 5.21, so they donât even provide the binary.
I had no issues at all upgrading my 14287 / ZW4002 from 5.21 to 5.24. I was pleasantly surprised it fixed the LED configuration settings, which means I didnât need to throw it away.
Thereâs probably not much reason to upgrade if you donât need the new functionality.
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