Need help creating associations

[Tom_S]

I'm (still) pretty new to the z-wave business, so please help me with some very basic information:

I'm using the razberry v2.2.0 GUI and have two PAN04 switch/relay modules. One module (#10 in my case) is connected to a wall switch, the second (#11 in my case) has a lamp attached. To start, I'd like to turn the light on and off as soon as the switch is pressed. I have managed to achieve that with two If-Then-apps, one "if the switch is off, then turn the light off", and one "if the switch is on, then turn the light on". This works, but there is a 3 second delay between the switch being pressed and the light turning on. This delay is not there when I toggle the relay in #11 directly through the GUI, so I suspect it comes from the If-Then-logic, not from the z-wave transmission itself.

I have understood that there are so-called association groups where one device (switch on #10) speaks directly to the relay (#11), bypassing the z-wave controller on the razberry. I have not found how I can establish such an association and would like to ask you for help. (Ideally, please, an idiot-proof step-by-step instruction - I still find the GUI pretty unintuitive...)

(Note: The next question I'll need to solve is how to create an association between the switch and multiple relays, so that toggling the switch turns the lights on different modules on and off. If you care to answer that question as well, I'll be a very happy camper )

Thank you so much for your time and assistance,

Thomas

[CopyCat73]

I'm a bit puzzled about what you want to do. These in-wall switches are meant to be connected to a) one or more switches and b) the actual device you want to switch. That way you can switch by hand and via the interface. The pan04 has 3 association groups but these are only for reporting the switch status and energy usage. They don't control other devices. Personally I use tkbhome wall switches, they have 2 paddles one of which is virtual; this can be clicked, tapped twice or three times which triggers devices in associated groups. This is independent of the controller as you say. In your case, if you look in the expert UI, go to configuration, select your device from the dropdown and go to the association tab; you should at least see the z-way controller in all 3 groups so that it receives on/off updates. If you set it up via if/then, 3 second delays are pretty bad. You might want to go into the expert UI, network, routing and see if everything is green. If not try a reorganization of at least the mains powered devices.

[Tom_S]

Hi CopyCat,

thank you for your thoughts. That could well be the explanation why I'm unable to establish an association. I have also seen that there are only the 3 status groups for status updates, but thought that ALL z-wave devices can GENERALLY be associated to each other (for switching, like I intended), that this is a commonly available, basic feature. So do I need to check for such a feature before I select and buy a certain device?

[CopyCat73]

The switches you have only allow a controller device in their groups to "hear" what they are doing. Other devices like motion sensors have specific groups that can turn on a light, smoke detectors usually have a kind of panic group that can also turn on lights or open shutters. The groups aren't generic in nature, the manufacturer decides what kind of communication goes on within the group. The TKBHome wall switches are more suitable to what you want to do, I like them because they are an all in one solution of both the switch/paddle and z-wave electronics. If you already have wall switches you like, the fibaro in wall modules also have groups that can control other z-wave devices.