My ZSE43 Tilt | Shock Sensor is Not Reporting Reliably To My Hub

Have you installed and integrated your ZSE43 Tilt | Shock sensor into the hub, but are encountering discrepancies in its reports? Is it persistently showing either open or closed status, or failing to provide reports altogether? Rest assured, we're equipped to guide you through the best troubleshooting measures before you reach out to our support team for further assistance.

Check The LED Response

This straightforward test will verify whether the sensor accurately detects open/close status and eliminates any potential hardware problems with the sensor. You can conduct this test by observing the LED indicator on the sensor, noting its response when the sensor is tilted from vertical to horizontal or vice versa.

If the LED is responding as expected, continue the troubleshooting steps below to check any other potential issues. If you do not get an LED response to orientation change, please try a fresh battery in the unit (see the Battery section below for recommended brands).

Inclusion Location

When constructing your mesh network, it's advisable to start by incorporating mains-powered devices (non-battery) that are closest to the hub first, then gradually expand outward as you include additional devices.

This approach enables the hub to utilize the required repeaters to reach devices situated on the periphery of the mesh network. A Z-Wave repeating device refers to any mains-powered (non-battery) device, such as our Z-Wave switches, Z-Wave plugs, or dedicated Z-Wave range extenders or repeaters like the ZAC38 Range Extender.
It's also crucial to allow your Z-Wave mesh network sufficient time to establish itself before automating your Z-Wave devices. It may take several hours for the Z-Wave mesh to autonomously determine the optimal routing.
If you initially add devices near the hub and later relocate them to their final positions, you might encounter routing issues in the future. Therefore, it's preferable to include your devices in their intended permanent locations.
- When you integrate a Z-Wave device near the hub, the hub establishes a direct line of communication with the device. Consequently, when you move battery-powered units to their final installation locations, the hub has already established the route and disregards any potential repeaters that might be required in the installation location.

Check the Distance to the Hub

If you've confirmed that the sensor is properly detecting the status change via the LED indicator and that the sensor was properly included from the target installation location, the next thing you need to check is for any range related issues.

How far is the sensor from the hub and the nearest non-battery powered Z-Wave device?
- The ZSE43 has a Z-Wave range of 130ft line of sight. Please keep in mind that this Z-Wave range is line-of-sight, which means there would be no wall or obstructions and the hub would be at the same elevation as the sensor (not on a different floor of the home).
- If your sensor is not line of sight or is close to or farther than the rated distance, you'll need Z-Wave repeaters between the sensor and the hub.
  - Remember, if you add a repeating device between the sensor and the hub, it is recommended to exclude the ZSE43 sensor and re-include it from the target location, so the hub can then utilize the new repeater int the communication route.
  - If your hub provides the option, you can also heal the network (also called network repair, rebuild routes, or Z-Wave repair, depending on your hub interface). Some hubs, like the Z-Box, optimize routing frequently, updating the mesh routes to the best available.

Check for Interference

While the ZSE43 has a range of 130ft line of sight, interference like thick walls, large furniture, and metal elements (think garage doors, cars, etc) can shorten this range. Another common household interference to consider that is frequently overlooked is from radio interference from devices like cordless house phones, older baby monitors, and weather stations.

Ultimately, range is determined by the specific structure of your home and the strength of your mesh network. When checking for interference, use the same steps above to add Z-Wave repeaters to alleviate the effect of the interference. You can also try adjusting the angle or location of the sensor as well to optimize the signal.

Battery

If you've checked the LED response and ruled out any range or interference issues, check your battery.

3.2V - 3V is a full battery (100%) and the Z-Wave chip manufacturer requires all Z-Wave devices to report low battery at 2.6V.
- The ZSE43 sensor is powered by a single CR2032 battery, and we recommend using Energizer, Panasonic, or Maxell brand batteries which are confirmed to work well in the sensors.
- Our technicians have confirmed that at this point, Duracells are not providing power to the XS sensors due to the extra bitter coating on these batteries. You can try wiping the battery with alcohol to remove the bitter coating, allowing it to dry fully, then inserting the battery.
- Rechargeable batteries are not recommended, as these usually decrease in max voltage with time, so you may see a shorter battery life or a "fully charged" battery not working in the sensor.

Temperature

While the sensor can be installed outdoors with the waterproof case, the operating temperature of the sensor is from 32° – 104° F. You'll want to ensure the temperatures do not drop below 32°F, as while CR2032 batteries can technically operate down to -22F, cold temperatures reduce ion mobility, increasing the batteries' internal resistance and dropping the output voltage. No energy storage is lost, it's just that the energy doesn't get to the device, it dissipates internally. So in cold weather it may stop responding, but once it warms up, it should still operate and respond. The sensor needs a certain amount of voltage from the battery to report, and when that energy is dissipated due to the cold, you get a loss of function until the battery is warmed. The sensor needs a substantial amount of Voltage (2.6) from the battery to sustain the Z-Wave chip and report to the hub. When that energy is dissipated due to the cold, you get a loss of function until the battery is warmed. You may experience reporting issues if the sensor operates in extreme temperatures close to the edge of the rated low of 32° F and the rated high of 104° F for prolonged periods of time. Keep in mind that climate conditions affect all electronic devices and especially battery-powered products so it's best to avoid exposing your electronics to direct sunlight and keep them in a shaded spot protected from extreme heat or cold.

If you've tried all of the troubleshooting steps above but you are still having reporting issues, please reach out to our team for assistance and include the details from the troubleshooting steps you've attempted above for the most expedient resolution.