Zwave between 2 buildings

[deliverer33]

I have two buildings I want to connect via Zwave and have a question on the best approach.

1. The distance between two zwave devices would be about 50ft and have to go through a metal wall and wood wall on the other side. Based on distance would it just work? If not, should I put a zwave plug on the outside of both buildings so the devices can see each other and connect?

2. Is the better approach to install a separate instance of zwave js in the other building with it’s own controller?

Any thoughts on this topic?

[FloatingBoater (James Derrick)]

Search is your friend - Z-Wave mesh range comes up a LOT:

Z-wave devices range issue, any better choice?

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External antenna / booster for Z-Wave?

Every z-wave repeater I can find online is either built into a switch or is no bigger than a pack of gum. I have a z-wave pool pump switch that struggles to get a signal to the house despite being only about 50 feet from a repeater. The repeater is inside the house on an outside wall facing the pool with no other structures between them. Wondering if there’s something that’s not built for ants that might actually reach 50 feet through a single wall, or if anyone knows of any modification proj…

[deliverer33]

Thanks @FloatingBoater will do a better job of searching. Attempted was looking at wrong terms. Appreciate the feedback and yes I don’t want to create waste when the answer is already out there.

[FloatingBoater (James Derrick)]

It’s easy to find stuff when you already know it’s there!

TL;DR - If you have mains power at the edges of the gap, test two IKEA cheap plugs (or more), otherwise try separate Z-Wave networks (plus WLAN backhaul). Mesh needs many small nodes.

Z-Wave LR Long Range exists, but it’s a different system which is not mesh:

Z-Wave Long Range (LR) Overview - Silicon Labs

[francisp (Francis)]

@FloatingBoater

If you have mains power at the edges of the gap, test two IKEA cheap plugs

What are IKEA plugs (Zigbee) going to do to improve Z-Wave range ?

[FloatingBoater (James Derrick)]

Darn - keep mixing Z-Wave and Zigbee (use lots of both here)!

%s/IKEA Zigbee/Fibaro Z-Wave/g

The intent was placing two decent but cheap two repeaters at the closest locations between the gap is a simple test of mesh range in free air.