I want to use the Zen72 or Zen77 (Whats the difference) as a remote dimmer in a wall box (i.e. with no load). It will control another Zen72/Zen77 dimmer that is in another location (and connected to another controller.
So, I guess a few questions for you experts.
What’s the diff between Zen72 and Zen77 (which one should I buy)
Can they operate with no load – and just fire off and receive z-wave messages.
Do I need to go via HS because they are on two different z-wave networks?
What’s the latency like (i.e. press dimmer up on one unit and see the response on the other)?
ZEN 72 vs 77 from what I can tell is in how they handle 3-ways. The 77 allows you to use your typical/existing wiring (mains voltage w/ 3 way switch output going to the load) where the 72 requires the 3-way to be re-wired to just communicate back to the switch using switched neutral/ground approach. I’m using 72’s for my remote, no load switches
Yes you can definitely operate with no load, you do have to set some configuration parameters to enable scene control and disable the relay.
Sorry can’t help on this one.
For my house based, same z-wave setup the latency is about as good as the 3-way approach, so ~200-300 ms It’s noticeable, but not long enough to cause someone to try and turn it on again or something.
I would also point out that if you are using a dimmer (regardless of model) to control another one, you would probably want to use the native zwave association for that, not a home assistant automation. Both would need to be dimmers and you would need to set up group associations in zwave js:
So happy to have found this blueprint to save some time.
One thing I’m seeing that’s missing, maybe, is LED control. I have two Zen71 800LR switches and Zooz and The Smartest House documents make it sound like we should be able to trigger the LED to change colors (4 options), but I only see this in the parameters, not as directly controllable in automation. Even read some review of someone praising the feature using Homeseer. Any ideas?
Yeah, you’d have to do some research, but if its anything like my inovelli you can do it through an automation. Now whether you want that automation to be part of a button press or to alert to something outside of a button press, like an open door or lock, thats up to you.
See Zooz Zen32 Automation to change LED indicator color - #4 by Skwerl23
I think the above post is slightly wrong. I was able to modify a zen30 using this:
Thanks for linking that. I’ll have to dig into it when I have some time and if I find it worth the effort. My switches aren’t installed in high traffic areas, but the feature may be useful.
I’ve looked thru all the documentation but I must be missing something for my ZEN71 switches. It looks to be I’m having some issues with the trigger. Let me know what I’m doing wrong here.
I tried to change the toggle switch in the settings and it goes to the off position when I exit and come back in. Doesn’t show a confirmed saved message like other options either. Switches are also set for smart bulbs. Local and z-wave control disabled.
You may need to go to the home assistant discord for assistance on that or contact soo. For this to work you need to have scene control enabled (you may want to set the other parameter to only local disabled to test). I’d also try reinterviewing the switch and then try turning on scene control again.
I’m having a goofy issue with my Zen 76 that when I triple press down it goes into pairing mode rather than running the action assigned in the blueprint. Is there a setting somewhere I missed to prevent this?
Yes, I recommend finding the configuration docs from Zooz on The Smartest Home site. There are a couple changes you may need to make. I ran into the same issue myself a while back.
I no longer use this particular blueprint but it will happen with any blueprint with these switches.
