Frequently Asked Questions About the ZAC93 GPIO Module
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Please note: this device is for expert users only and comes with basic hardware support only. It does not include any tech support for the home automation software or host hardware you decide to pair it with.
INSTALLATION QUESTIONS
How many GPIO Modules should I buy? I have a very large home.
- You should only need to buy one, unless you intend to split control for devices by floor / level.
- The range will depend on the specific structure of your home, as well as how many signal repeating (non-battery powered) devices you have and how the Z-Wave mesh is structured. With the 800 series chip, you'll have more signal coverage and improved performance even without the Long-Range capability.
- With long range compatible devices, you could have a range of up to 1-mile (once hub support for Long Range is provided).
How do I install the ZAC93 GPIO Module?
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Designed for Raspberry Pi and Home Assistant Yellow hardware
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Follow the step-by-step installation guide.
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Follow the instructions for your software provider as the set-up may be different depending on the interface and operating system.
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Note: this product is designed for expert users only and requires at least basic knowledge of programming.
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Home automation software is required to control and configure your Z-Wave network.
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Z-Wave product compatibility will depend on the software you choose so we recommend installing an open and proven smart home system with your 800 Series Z-Wave Long Range Stick for best results.
Can I install an external antennae to the ZAC93?
- It is possible, but not recommended. Modification of the original product would result in voiding the warranty for the device. However, it could be soldered in by an expert user with a background in electronics. If you are ok with soldering, you will be able to do it with the steps below:
1) Remove the components at #1 and #2.
2) Solder an IPEX4 at #3.
3) Solder an 0R resistor (PCB package of which is 0402) at #4 - see the position in the attached image.
4) Please note that the frequency of the external antenna should be 915 MHz, with the terminal connected to IPEX4.
What is the operating temperature of the ZAC93?
- 14-104° F
What are the dimensions of the ZST39? How big is the device?
- 1.1" x 1.1"
Can the ZAC93 be installed outdoors?
- NO.
What is the wireless range of the ZAC93?
- Up to 1 mile in open space with Long Range enabled (hub support required for Long Range).
- Environments with a lot of glass or metal elements, large furniture, and thick walls can also be very disruptive to Z-Wave signals.
What is the warranty coverage for my ZAC93 GPIO Module?
- Zooz 800 series devices are covered by a 5-year warranty. Please register your device here and review the full warranty policy here.
What is the purpose of the white button on top of the ZAC93 800 GPIO Module?
- The white button does nothing at the moment. In the future, we might use it for an external inclusion/exclusion button but currently, it is not defined in the firmware.
Where can I find the ZAC93 device manual?
PRODUCT FUNCTIONALITY QUESTIONS
Can I back up my 500 or 700 series network and import it on to the ZAC93?
- To our best knowledge, moving from one series Z-Wave controller to another typically requires the exclusion of all devices, and re-inclusion of all devices on the new controller. If moving from 700 to 700 for example, PC Controller Tool's built in back up method works, but 700 to 800 won't work to the best of our knowledge.
Is there some way to force modules to remove neighbor nodes, specifically after excluding a node and some keep the old node as a neighbor, even after doing a neighbor update?
- The ZAC93 is simply hardware with a Z-Wave chip in it; routing and compatibility are dependent on the smart home software used in conjunction with the module. If the devices are retaining neighbor nodes, you may need to factory reset them before including.
Z-WAVE QUESTIONS
Do I need a Z-Wave hub to buy this device?
- The ZAC93 GPIO Module will act as the hub hardware for your smart home network, however it is just a piece of hardware with a Z-Wave chip in it. It needs to be used in conjunction with an open-source software, such as Home Assistant with JS Z-Wave integration, Indigo, or HomeSeer.
What home automation software is compatible with the ZST39?
- Z-Wave product compatibility will depend on the software you choose so we recommend installing an open and proven smart home system with your 800 Series Z-Wave Long Range Stick for best results.
How does Z-Wave Long Range work compared to a regular Z-Wave network?
How do I update the firmware of my ZAC93 GPIO Module Stick?
- The firmware updates for our Z-Wave sticks and modules are developed and provided by Silicon Labs, so any functionality regarding network backups would need to be addressed on their end. Once new firmware is available, we'll receive a file specific for our hardware and have it available with all of our other firmware.
- The only firmware supported on the module is the file we release directly. It is specific to the Zooz ZAC93, and the application of unsupported firmware would void the warranty for the device.
- The ZAC93 can be updated only via the host software that supports OTW firmware updates (like Home Assistant/HomeSeer running Z-Wave JS or Z-Wave JS UI. End users are not able to update via PC Controller software at this time.
How long does the update take? How do I know when it's finished?
- Firmware updates should usually take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on connection quality and how much information needs to actually be updated on a given device.
Where can I find the history of changes and firmware updates for the ZAC93 GPIO Module?
What series Z-Wave chip does the ZAC93 GPIO Module use?
- The ZAC93 uses an 800 series Z-Wave chip.
Is the ZAC93 GPIO Module available in other Z-Wave frequencies?
- The ZAC93 is currently available in 908.42 MHz (US, CA, MX) and 868.42 MHz (EU) (no Z-Wave Long Range) frequencies.
Check out the Zooz Knowledge Base for free support articles about the ZAC93 GPIO Module (and all of our devices)! If you can't find your answer there, reach out to us!
