Using a second dongle for zigbee2mqtt in HA Green. (Zha already running in the first.)

Configuration Zigbee
1

Hi, I intend to add a second dongle e v3 by Sonoff. I would like to run both ZhA and Z2M at the same time. I´ve read confusing info. Iĺl try to sum up my questions.

  1. Do I need to flash the dongle with the latest firmware for coordinators? If so, do I need to physically open the dongle? I hope I don’t.
  2. Do I need to type “ember” at some point in the set up? (I think so, but not very sure)
    This is the best video I have found for this “two dongles at the same time” configuration:
    https://youtu.be/-24dPJkku64?si=oHf3xhKJCGaRyaMn
    (The thing is this guy is installing a sky connect and I will install a dongle e)
    I’m doing this because I would like to get some Nous devices, and they mostly run on mqtt. Apart from that I think you get a better experience with mqtt.
    If there are any other isssues that I have to consider or which I ignore please feel free to tell me.
    Thank you!!
2

Why do you want 2 zigbee networks? This will cause many issues.

As ever it will all be in the docs

1 Like
3

Thank you so much. It’s because I’m afraid of doing something wrong and ending up with no ZHA or MQQT. Once I have configured the mqqt I might just remove Zha integration and dongle. I don’t have many ZigBee devices, but I wouldn’t like to crash the Zha installation…
I’m quite new in this, but I’m getting the idea that you have to be brave hahaha!!

4

If you only have a handful of devices I wouldn’t bother with running two networks, just remove ZHA, install Z2M and re-pair the devices.

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5

Just backup HA before messing about, you can then easily restore. If you try to run 2 you will have to disconnect each device from one zigbee to then connect to the other one. Just a world of pain waiting to happen.

Mqtt is a separate thing to z2m, so can be setup first, that way you will not end up with no MQTT. Everything zigbee will need to set up again, so setup all your routers first. Then give z2m a couple of days to settle down before messing about troubleshooting. It can take zigbee a while to get its mesh sorted.

1 Like
6

You’re convincing me guys. I will be brave, delete ZHA and just stick to mqqt. Let’s hope the dongle that is already inserted running ZHA wil be a good boy. I´ve also read about how to reconfigure it to use it with z2m…Thanks!