Z-Wave Network Management - Adding Node Secure - Issues

Configuration Z-Wave
1

Good afternoon,

I am trying to replace build up a Z-Wave network of devices in my home. I originally had two switches and a MultiSensor 6 successfully paired; however, I was following some excellent (but outdated) YouTube videos, which instructed me to press the button on the Z-Stick for the inclusion/pairing process. I later learned from these forums that I should never use the Z-Stick inclusion button but rather do everything via the Z-Wave Network Management card.

As I had so few devices, I decided to start over. I initiated a factory reset of the Z-Stick and restarted (Hassbian) Home Assistant. Only the Aeotec Z-Stick was now appearing in the Z-Wave card.

Based on what I read, I should use the “Add Node Secure” option each time. If the Z-Wave Plus device does not use security, it will simply add the node non-securely. Starting with the closest switch, I clicked “Add Node Secure”, walked over, and pressed the paddle once. I returned and clicked Heal Network. I gave it a few moments, checked the OZW.log, and did not see anything that seemed like it worked. I decided to restart Home Assistant and it did not show the additional switch on the Z-Wave card.

I factory reset the switch successfully and attempted to “Add Node Secure” again. Again, it does not seem like it is doing anything. For those of you who have successfully walked this path, could you please provide some suggestions? Am I missing a step? Should I “Save Config” before I “Heal Network”? Things worked perfectly for me back when I was using the Z-Stick Inclusion button so I cannot understand why this method is not as reliable.

Below is an OZW.log example of “Add Node Secure”, pressing the switch paddle, and then “Heal Network”.

2018-08-04 18:03:01.065 Detail, Queuing (Controller) Add Device
2018-08-04 18:03:01.065 Info, Add Device
2018-08-04 18:03:01.065 Detail, contrlr, Queuing (Command) ControllerCommand_AddDevice: 0x01, 0x05, 0x00, 0x4a, 0xc1, 0x0a, 0x7b
2018-08-04 18:03:01.065 Detail, Notification: ControllerCommand - Starting
2018-08-04 18:03:01.066 Detail,
2018-08-04 18:03:01.066 Info, contrlr, Sending (Command) message (Callback ID=0x0a, Expected Reply=0x4a) - ControllerCommand_AddDevice: 0x01, 0x05, 0x00, 0x4a, 0xc1, 0x0a, 0x7b
2018-08-04 18:03:01.069 Detail, contrlr,   Received: 0x01, 0x07, 0x00, 0x4a, 0x0a, 0x01, 0x00, 0x00, 0xb9
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Detail,
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Info, contrlr, FUNC_ID_ZW_ADD_NODE_TO_NETWORK:
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Info, contrlr, ADD_NODE_STATUS_LEARN_READY
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Detail, Node001,   Expected callbackId was received
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Detail, Node001,   Expected reply was received
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Detail, Node001,   Message transaction complete
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Detail,
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Detail, contrlr, Removing current message
2018-08-04 18:03:01.070 Detail, Notification: ControllerCommand - Waiting
2018-08-04 18:03:01.071 Info, WriteNextMsg Controller nothing to do
2018-08-04 18:03:24.225 Detail, Node001, Queuing (Controller) Request Node Neighbor Update
2018-08-04 18:03:24.226 Info, WriteNextMsg Controller nothing to do

Thank you,
Erik

2

I’ve done the inclusions both ways but only in the beginning. Now I always use the HA interface to do it. I’m honestly not sure what the downside to doing it with the button on the stick is. It always worked for me when I did it before.

That said, the way I do the inclusions is clicking “add node secure”, push the button on the device to include it, restart HA, go to the zwave config panel and rename the node, delete the entity_registry.yaml file, restart HA. I’ve only had that fail on me a couple of times but I’m pretty sure it was on the device side (not pushing the button all the way down when I thought I had, etc). Sometimes those devices can be finicky.

Also be aware that if you use the secure nodes you need to add a security key in your z wave configuration section.

3

@ErikM1970 Resetting the stick only removes the pairing information of the devices from the stick. Your devices still think they are connected to a stick and since they can only be connected to one device, will not pair. You need to do a remove node and tap the switch (check the documentation on each device since it will be different for each) and then go through the pairing process. It is not unusual to need a remove node more than once.
I do this with new devices as well just in case.

4

Thank you for the help!