ZWave Add Controller

With most Z-Wave devices, you add them to Vera's Z-Wave network by clicking the 'Add other Z-Wave devices' on the 'Devices' tab in Vera's menu and following the instructions where you remove Vera's black Z-Wave dongle and carry it to your Z-Wave device. But, battery-operated handheld controllers are special cases. To add them you leave Vera's black dongle connected, bring them to Vera, and chose the 'Add Z-Wave Controller' option instead. In general, when adding these handheld controllers, there are a few more steps, as explained below. Most in-wall controllers that are connected to your house's electricity (i.e. not battery operated) can be added like any other Z-Wave device and do not need to be treated like the battery operated controllers. (See Supported controllers/gateways below for a list.)

To assign the scene to a button on a handheld remote or scene controller, create the scene, click 'Add Event' next to the scene, choose the scene controller or handheld remote, choose the event 'A Scene is Activated', and pick the scene or button ID, such as 3 for button 3 on a scene controller. In a traditional Z-Wave network, handheld remotes and scene controllers can only control certain scene-capable light switches and lamp modules. But Vera automatically extends the capabilities of Z-Wave so all the commands in your scene will be activated when you press the button.

For any commands in the scene that go to scene capable devices, namely Z-Wave scene capable light switches and lamp modules, Vera will program the scene controller or remote to talk directly to those scene capable devices. And, if the remote or scene controller has Up/Down or Off buttons, they will be sent directly to the scene capable devices. For any commands you assign to the scene which are not for scene-capable devices, like door locks, thermostats, non-scene capable lamp modules, etc., Vera will monitor the button pushes on your scene controller or handheld remote and automatically take care of the rest of the commands.

The first step is to add the controller into Vera.

Adding battery operated handheld controllers to Vera

Add Z-Wave Controller Screen

When you want to add a handheld Z-Wave controller, go to Vera's setup page, choose the "Devices" tab, and click the "Add Z-Wave controller" link or button. You will have 60 seconds to add the controller to an existing Z-Wave network, by bringing the handheld controller within 3 feet (1 meter) of Vera and pressing the buttons on the handheld controller. This process is different for each handheld controller, and is often given different names. A chart of some popular Z-Wave handheld controllers is shown below, along with the steps to add the controller to Vera, and what the process is called. Vera shows the status and progress in blue at the top of the page, starting with: "Running: Job is waiting: Ready...", which means Vera is waiting for your handheld controller to start.

If you cannot add the controller to Vera, it's possible the controller is already part of another Z-Wave network. In this case, you must first reset the controller before you can add it to Vera. Instructions for resetting some popular controllers are shown below.

Adding in-wall scene controllers to Vera

As mentioned above, in general you can add these devices like any other Z-Wave device and don't need to use the 'Add Z-Wave Controller' link.

Supported controllers/gateways

These devices are added by bringing the controller near Vera and choosing 'Add Z-Wave Controller'.

The 'Add Sequence' is how you tell the controller to add to Vera. The 'Reset Sequence' is how you clear the controller if it's already been added to another Z-Wave network and can't be added to Vera.

Manufacturer	Device Type	Model no.	Version	Specs	Product Review	Add Sequence	Reset Sequence	Notes
Cooper Wiring Devices	Handheld Controller	RFHDCSG		Link	Link	Menu, Settings, Replicate, Receive, From Unknown Controller	Menu, Settings, Reset	Works well with Vera. Can transfer devices from Vera to the handheld but doesn't transfer device names. Also very expensive.
Intermatic	Handheld Controller	HA07		Link				Read Intermatic Handheld Remotes
Intermatic/Wayne Dalton	Handheld Controller	HA09		Link				Read Intermatic Handheld Remotes
GE/Jasco Products	Handheld Controller	Z-Wave Home Theater Remote-45608		Link	Link	Read the detailed instructions here: GE_Home_Theater_45608	RESET: Z-Wave Setup mode, scroll to NETWORK, press OK and displays RESET. Click OK to reset the Z-wave on remote. This will not remove the remote from Vera's network. So if it's already been added to Vera's network follow the instructions here: GE_Home_Theater_45608	Works well with Vera, Also controls A/V devices and includes X10 IR codes and Logitech Squeezebox IR codes, blue blacklit buttons, LCD screen allows editing labels of scenes, devices, etc. Can also control Z-Wave and A/V devices using macros so you can "play DVD" and the lights will dim with this command. VERY NICE REMOTE!
Wayne Dalton	Gateway	WDHA-12R	??	Link	Link	See detailed instructions here: Wayne-Dalton_WDHA-12		Shows as Z-Wave controller and enables use of Homelink car remote, so can now turn on/off All Z-wave devices from car. This gateway is required for the 3-button remote sold by them. Translates commands to Z-Wave Scenes. As of firmware 1.0.602 it's working with Vera, it's seen as a secondary controller.
Wayne Dalton	Handheld Controller	WDHC-20				Add Zwave Controller in Vera, on remote; HOME, hold SETUP until HOME blinks twice, enter 967, HOME blinks twice if successful. Create the scenes and assign them to the scene controller as described earlier. Click 'Save', and then go to the device and click Configure node right now on Vera, and repeat on remote.		I added this about a week ago, and typed this from memory, so it may not work 100%, but I know it does have to be programmed on the remote twice. Only On works, couldn't find setting for Off, don't have a dimmer to test Bright/Dim.
Innovus	Handheld Controller	SmoothRemote		Link		1. Add Z-Wave Controller on Vera 2. Press 3 times shift (Button 9) 3. Configure device on Vera (Associations) 4. To transfer your config settings, repeat step 1 & 2		Device can be configured using Vera. Has no scene buttons, so you can not trigger scenes with it (V1.0.616) which hopefully will be changed in further versions. Button 8 is always "ALL ON / ALL OFF"
Remotec	Handheld Controller (16 scenes)/programmable IR remote	Z-URC 550EU		Link		Link		Link

These devices are added like normal Z-Wave devices by choosing 'Add other Z-Wave devices' on Vera's menu and bringing Vera's Z-Wave dongle to the device

Manufacturer	Device Type	Model no.	Version	Specs	Product Review	Add Sequence	Reset Sequence	Notes
Cooper	5 Scene Controller	RFWDC						Read Cooper Scene Controller
Leviton	4 Scene Controller	RZCS4						Read Leviton Scene Controller
Leviton	1 Scene Controller	RZCZ1-1LX	Unknown	Link	Link	Link		Read Leviton Scene Controller

Unsupported / Partially supported controllers/gateways

Not working as of firmware version wl500gP-1.0.584.trx

Manufacturer	Model	Specs	Product Review	Notes
Sylvania	SH50201			"all on" and "all off" buttons work but scene buttons are not supported at this time. (3/28/2009) To program this controller put vera in add controller mode and then hit "menu", then press right arrow until you see setup. Press ok. Righ arrow to copy remote control. Press ok. Right arrow to receive information and click ok. Wait for vera to confirm the controller was added.
ACT HomePro	ZTH100			Sylvania is a rebranded ACT Homepro "all on" and "all off" buttons work but scene buttons are not supported at this time. (3/28/2009)
Merten	1-gang radio push button 5051.., 5061.., 5071..	Link		Use scene no. 0 for button 0 and scene no. 255 for button 1 (2009-09-30, firmware 1.0.900)
Merten	2-gang radio push button 5052.., 5062.., 5072..	Link		Only buttons 0 and 1 work; use scene no. 0 for button 0 and scene no. 255 for button 1 (2009-09-30, firmware 1.0.900)

Troubleshooting

In case your controller it's not working please follow this steps before submitting a trouble report.

1. Open Vera's Dashboard
2. Go to Advanced and enable Verbose Logging
3. Go to Location choose your timezone and synchronize your watch
4. Go to Devices->Zwave->More Zwave Options tab and where it says
"House/Node", make note of the node ID of your dongle (node x.y where x is the node id).
5. Go to Devices->Zwave tab, if you have any devices called "ZWave Controller/Scene Controller" besides the built-in
one, be sure to rename them so you can tell which is which. Also be sure 'scenes as events' is not checked for this controller.
6. Go to Devices->Zwave, expand your controller properties by clicking on the "+" sign near it and then press 'Custom Zwave Settings'.
Under Associations add group 2 and when you click 'set', add 2 associations: both the device you want to control *and* the
"ZWave Controller" (ie Vera's dongle), which is probably in the 'unassigned' area.
Press SAVE and wait until the 'Please wait.... configuring' is done.
7. Press every button on your controller and note the exact time at which you've press it.
8. Go to Advanced->Tech Support and submit a trouble report in which you have to indicate

       - the controller make and model and a link to its user manual 

       - the controller's NodeID 

       - the time when you hit 'configure right now' and when you hit each button