What are Z-Wave device parameters?
Z-Wave Configuration Parameters refer to device settings that allow us to “tweak” how a Z-Wave device operates. Nearly every Z-Wave device includes special parameter settings that can be changed, allowing us to drastically alter or fine tune its performance and functionality. You can read more about this topic in our past blog post… Z-Wave Configuration Parameters.
How to change Z-Wave parameters in the Aeotec (SmartThings) Smart Hub
Changing Z-Wave device parameters in the SmartThings app is easy. Let’s take a look at the Aeotec MultiSensor 6 as an example…
1. Tap on your Z-Wave device.
2. Tap on the “3 dots” in the top right corner.
3. Select “Settings”.
4. Select the setting you would like to change.
5. Change the setting and select OK.
6. Done. The setting has now been changed.
Tip: If your Z-Wave device is battery operated, you will need to "wake it up" for the new settings to be updated. In the case of the MultiSensor 6 above, this would mean pressing the "Action" button on the back cover of the sensor. Refer to the relevant product manual for instructions on waking up your particular battery operated Z-Wave device. Devices connected to power will be updated automatically without needing to "wake" them up.
Missing Z-Wave device parameters
In the example above, we are presented with only 3 settings we can change – each of these settings corresponds to certain parameters available for the MultiSensor 6. It may surprise you to learn that there are in fact over 40 parameters available that we can change! However SmartThings often only provides the most basic parameters for tweaking – or sometimes, none at all. So how do we change these missing parameters? I’m glad you asked…
How to change any Z-Wave parameter in SmartThings
It’s time to get your geek on. Thanks to the efforts of a very clever individual, we can change almost any Z-Wave device parameter! This is a god send, and the SmartThings community owes a debt of gratitude to Mariano Colmenarejo for creating this very valuable tool… Edge Driver Z-Wave Device Config Mc.
Installing Edge Driver Z-Wave Device Config Mc
“Installing” is perhaps the wrong word… we actually “join” the Z-Wave Device Config Mc “shared channel” – this then adds the Edge driver to your SmartThings hub. Forget the technical jargon, let’s just get it done…
- Click on this link... Invitation to the Edge Driver Z-Wave Device Config Mc Shared Channel
- Log-in to your Samsung / SmartThings account.
- Click on the "Enroll" button under your SmartThings Hub name.
- Once enrolled, select the "Available Drivers" button.
- Scroll down to (or search for) "Z-Wave Device Config Mc" and click the "Install" button.
Ok, the hard part is done… I told you it wouldn’t hurt too much 🙂
Assigning the Z-Wave Device Config Mc Edge Driver above to a Z-Wave device
In the SmartThings app, we need to change the “Edge” driver our Z-Wave device is currently using to the new Z-Wave Device Config Mc Edge driver we just installed. This will allow us to change any Z-Wave parameter. Here we go…
1. Tap on your Z-Wave device.
2. Tap on the “3 dots” in the top right corner.
3. Select “Driver”.
4. Tap “Select different driver”
5. Select “Z-Wave Device Config Mc”.
6. Tap “Use this driver” and select “OK”.
Great. Now we are ready to start changing Z-Wave parameters for this device…
Changing Z-Wave device parameters
Ok, let’s change a parameter. For this example, I am going to turn off the green LED that blinks when the Aeotec MultiSensor 6 detects motion. This can be really annoying at night if the sensor is located in a bedroom. As shown in the Advanced Configuration document for the MultiSensor 6, parameter 81 (Enable/disable the LED blinking when the PIR is triggered) is the one we are after… by default the parameter is set to 0 (enabled) – we want to change parameter 81 to 1 (disabled). Here’s how we do it…
1. Tap on your Z-Wave device.
2. Tap on the “3 dots” in the top right corner.
3. Select “Settings”.
4. Tap “Select Zwave Device Action”.
5. Select ‘Device Parameter Config…” and then “OK”.
6. Finally, select the “Back arrow”.
Now we are ready to change the parameter. A little tip… you may need to close and re-open the SmartThings app. In our testing, this process can be a little slow and may require an app restart. Once the app is restarted, simply click on the device icon and you should be able to continue like below…
1. Tap on Device Parameter Number “Settings Cog”.
2. Enter your Parameter Number and select “OK”.
3. Tap on Parameter Size “Settings Cog”.
4. Enter your Parameter Size and select “OK”.
5. Tap on Parameter Value “Settings Cog”.
6. Enter your Parameter Value and select “OK”.
7. Tap on Select Config Action “Settings Cog”.
8. Tap on the “Send” option.
9. Press the “Execute Selected Action” button.
Tip: If your Z-Wave device is battery operated, you will need to "wake it up" for the new settings to be updated. In the case of the MultiSensor 6 above, this would mean pressing the "Action" button on the back cover of the sensor. Refer to the relevant product manual for instructions on waking up your particular battery operated Z-Wave device. Devices connected to power will be updated automatically without needing to "wake" them up.
That’s it! You are done. Your Z-Wave Device Parameter should now be updated and your Z-Wave device should reflect the changes you have made. After changing the desired parameters, you can now change your device “Edge Driver” back to its original settings – to do this, follow the steps above under Assigning the Z-Wave Device Config Mc Edge Driver above to a Z-Wave device above.
