GE / JASCO 45712 Smart Dimmer works

[Darwin]

I haven't seen the GE / JASCO 45712 In-Wall Smart Dimmer switch mentioned specifically here, but I installed one today and it works well with the Almond+. I installed this as a 3-Way dimmer switch on a hallway light with the JASCO 45710 In-Wall Add-On Switch and am very impressed with the combined functionality of these two switches. Both control the hall light well and there really is no functional difference between the two once installed aside from the unobtrusive blue LED light on the master. There is no noticeable hum from the dimmer on a dimmable LED light. I set up a rule to use the hall light as a nightlight - on at night dim, and off in the morning. The Almond+ interface appears to work well, including IOS. One minor note that has also been mentioned elsewhere: When toggling the switch to On (vs. setting dim level) via the Almond+, the dimmer is set to 100% (vs remembering the previous dim level). No real issue for me, just different from the way the manual wall switch works.

Overall, I'm impressed so far with the switches and the Almond interface. The kit is available here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013V58K2

[scroder]

What firmware are you running? What does the Almond recognize the add on switch as? I have tried this combo in the past but couldn't get the add-on switch to work, so its been sitting in a box waiting for the day it works with the Almond.

[Darwin]

What firmware are you running? What does the Almond recognize the add on switch as? I have tried this combo in the past but couldn't get the add-on switch to work, so its been sitting in a box waiting for the day it works with the Almond.

I'm am using the latest R080 firmware. The add-on switch is not a Z-Wave device, and the A+ only needs to pair with the master switch. The add-on switch is simply a remote device that talks directly to the main dimmer switch via a traveler wire in the wall - which should already be there assuming you are replacing a conventional 3-way switch set-up.  It actually simplifies the installation over a standard 3-way switch set-up; all that is required for the add-on switch to work is a neutral wire and a traveler wire that is connected to the main switch. In fact, the pair work fine together before the master is even added to the Almond.  Hope this helps.

[chucktown]

I recently installed the GE smart dimmer 12724 and it seems to be working great. I too have the problem when turning the light on via the almond app, it turns the light on 100% brightness instead of what the last dimmed setting was. Another thing I noticed was if I turn the light on from the app and then turn it off manually, the app still says the light is on. Do you or anyone else have this problem? Is there something to correct this? I recently updated my almond+ to R083.

[Ashok]

@ chucktown,

Try to send the log files, and I would get back to you with a solution on this.

[chucktown]

@Ashok,

I have sent the log files.  If you do not get them, feel free to email me directly and I'll resend.  Thanks for your help on this.

[Darwin]

Another thing I noticed was if I turn the light on from the app and then turn it off manually, the app still says the light is on. Do you or anyone else have this problem? Is there something to correct this? I recently updated my almond+ to R083.

I just noticed this last night as well with my 45712. The IOS app and web interfaces all show the last Almond+ commanded state, but do not reflect any changes made manually at the switch. I'm also using R083. It's possible this was also occurring with the prior firmware version, but I think I would have noticed it before. 

[AcidLotus]

Pretty much same behavior on Linear WD500Z dimmer switches with regard to iOS app and state changes as the GE models referenced above. Same behavior now with R083 as with R076.

[Ashok]

@ chucktown,

Z-wave devices when we turn them on, they take it as 100% and off as 0. However, if you would like to turn on the device with some percentage use the Slider and adjust the brightness which would automatically turn on the device with that percentage. Try to connect some load to the dimmer and make the changes through LCD UI and check if the changes are happening do not go with the status. Let us know.

[chucktown]

Hello @Ashok,

The commands work from the LCD UI and from the iOS app with no issues.  However, when I turn the switch on manually from the light switch itself, the lights turn on to the dimmed setting and the almond app and LCD UI say Dimmable, 14% (see attached) even though it is really dimmed at 50%. If I set the light to 100% manually and turn it off and back on manually, the app and LCD UI still say Dimmable, 14%.  The app knows when the light is on but doesn't know the correct percentage nor does it know when the light gets turned off from the switch.  If you need any more screen shots or logs, feel free to email me directly.  Thanks for your help.

[chucktown]

@Ashok,

Will this get corrected in the next firmware release?  If I turn devices off manually (not through the app) the almond app never updates showing the device is off.  This happens for the binary on/off switches not just the dimmable switches.  Is there a way the app can detect the light switch is off or on?  I'm not too concerned with the correct dim setting when turning on the light from the app.  I understand it is either 100% or 0%.  I would just like to see what lights are left on via the app.  Thank you so much for your assistance.