I ordered the YRD420-F-ZW3-BSP from Amazon, having heard that Yale was one brand that did not require the cloud. Turns out there are a lot of “Yale” locks with different features I did not completely understand. This is a brief report on the particular variant in that model number.
It is a Z-wave V3, I think 700 series but not sure (it identifies as Z-Wave protocol 7.16.3 and same SDK build 297).
I’m running ZwaveJS and ZwaveJSUI and it added there trivially, I put in the DSK from the label, powered up, and it was added instantly.
HOWEVER, YOU NEED THE YALE ACCESS APP to completely configure this. It is necessary for DoorSense calibration, as well as fingerprints. I am not 100% sure how operable the lock is if you do not use the app – it did allow me to lock and unlock from HA for example. Of considerably more concern, I worry that if you do not register with the app, anyone can walk up outside and do so (though I am by no means certain of that).
I pulled out an old mobile with no other data; I still had to give them an email and SMS-able cell number (but it did not require it be that phone’s cell number, as that one had no SIM).
Once configured however, it looks like everything but fingerprints work from HA only. I can go into the zwave UI and add codes, I think I can also use the service for the same function. I do not see any zwave mechanism for managing fingerprints.
Note that in the app you tell it whether you are using the app, or an external program, for access codes. To use HA you tell it external. It appears if you use the app however, you can coordinate those with fingerprints, and the access codes are stored in the lock and do not require the cloud in use.
Note that the app will update the lock firmware (it appears to be the lock, not the zwave module). I don’t see another way to do so.
If you set external, the same slots in the device are used, and you can see them in ZWaveJS and probably use the zwave user code actions. It is not at all clear what happens if you switch back and forth – I did, and one actually present in the lock stopped working. I simply removed it and re-added (in ZWaveJS) and it started working.
There is an HA Bluetooth integration for this. I can’t use it as my HA has no BT built in. That may be worth exploring for anyone who picks one up, and is within 25’ or so of their BT antenna. I have not found any HA integration specific to the z-wave feature set.
A very pleasant surprise was DoorSense, which I did not see when I bought it. It allows me to tell if the door is adjar (keep in mind it might be locked but open). I was planning to use little shelly door sensors, but now do not need them. They also allow this to be installed in the jamb and hidden. Very nice.
There are about a dozen extraneous sensors exposed in HA that have no clear purpose, such as “alarmLevel” and “alarmType”, or “Power Management Power Status” (there’s several battery levels separately). I just disabled most of those.
One oddity: I see no way to prevent the lock from locking if the door is open, and then indicating locked. I guess one could write an automation to immediately unlock it. It seems a shame that DoorSense feature is present but not used as a safety check (well, not safety as in injury, but safety as in a locked but ajar door is inherently unsafe). I should add the “auto-lock” (after a period of time) does say it checks that sensor, but for home automations you need to check it separately.
I do have many questions that remain.
- It is not clear if there is some coordination needed or expected between user slots, and fingerprint slots. I have read other postings indicating such was needed, but the app allows you to register a user for only a fingerprint so… not sure.
Note it’s one finger[print] per user, however I guess you could register John Smith 2, John Smith 3 for additional fingerprints.
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The app provides a Programming Code (which you can change), and I’ve found various documentation indicating how to enter that code (enter like a regular code but instead of check box hit gear). This lights up a few buttons but I have yet to find anywhere that documents them for this lock, except the zwave manual shows inclusion using them. Install manual says it is only needed for “turning on blue tooth” (which is already on?), and re-handing the lock, and changing modules. I wonder if it would allow entry of fingerprints without the app?
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Mine has a key. There are no instructions for re-keying. I assume one could remove the cylinder and have a locksmith do it, but do not know. I worry about taking a very electronic lock to most locksmiths and what I would get back.
And of course – what have I missed? Are there better tools, lovelace cards, etc. that might work better with it?
Hopefully these notes will be useful to someone.
No to figure out how to turn off that damn Google PIN requirement…
