You can automate your 12 V lighting in your camper, saving energy and money with the ZEN17 Universal Relay!

Simplicity and convenience are often considered the primary benefits of automated lighting, and now you can bring those benefits with you in your RV or camper.
Automated lighting can change how you interact with your living space in several different ways. Automation technology enables you to transform your environment into a space that better fits your lifestyle, schedule, and desired level of comfort. Schedule your lights to turn on just moments before you return to the RV or have them turn on automatically as you walk through the door and enter different rooms. No more accidentally leaving the lights on all day. With automated lighting, you can schedule them to turn off during the hours when they’re not needed.

Here are detailed instructions for wiring and programming the Universal Relay for this scenario.

1. WIRE THE UNIVERSAL RELAY ZEN17

The diagram below shows an installation with 12 V low-voltage lighting, an illuminated wall switch (optional), and the ZEN17 Universal Relay. If this matches your installation, please follow the below diagram to wire the Universal Relay:

• WIRING TIPS: Always ensure you take "before" pictures prior to installing the ZEN17. Whether you need to restore the original set-up, or reach out to us for help, we will need to verify the original wiring to ensure the installation is correct. Always use the correct screwdriver size for the terminal screws on your Universal Relay and wall switches (if connecting them). Verify that you have the proper electrical tools for cutting, prepping, and stripping electrical wires. If you lack the required tools to correctly perform the installation or are unsure which tools to use or how, please hire an electrician to complete the installation for you. Please follow the National Electrical Code and your local safety regulations when performing the installation.

• POWER OFF: Please verify you have turned off the circuit power before you start the installation. Keep the Universal Relay removed from its power source while performing the installation.

• CONNECT THE SWITCH: Wire the common terminal on the switch to the positive pole of the 12 V power supply / battery. Wire the remaining 2 terminals on the switch to the VC1 terminal on the ZEN17 and the negative pole of the 12 V power supply / battery. Connect the C terminals on both inputs on the ZEN17 to the negative pole of the 12 V power supply / battery.

• CONNECT THE UNIVERSAL RELAY: Connect the C terminals on both outputs (relays) on the ZEN17 to the positive pole of the 12 V power supply / battery. Connect the lights to the NO R1 terminal on the ZEN17 and leave the other end of the lights connected to the negative pole of the power supply.

• POWER THE UNIVERSAL RELAY: Connect a dedicated low-voltage power source to the ZEN17 (a power supply like this one will work great). Please do NOT use phone/laptop chargers or Apple accessories with the Universal Relay. NEVER connect AC/DC power and USB power to the ZEN17 at the same time.

2. PROGRAM THE UNIVERSAL RELAY

Here is what you need to best program your device on your Z-Wave hub:

• Add the Universal Relay to your hub, see detailed instructions here: Hubitat, SmartThings, Home Assistant, Z-Wave System (general instructions)
• Once included, you should see 3 new on/off devices in your app:
  1. A single master node to access and adjust advanced settings
  2. Two child devices for on/off control (one for each relay).
• Keep the input settings at default on the ZEN17, the preset values will work great for this application.
• You can change any advanced settings within the master device, but use the child devices to control your lights from the Z-Wave interface.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have! We’re happy to help!