some lights do not always react

[jessy1984]

hi i have a couple of lights that switch on and off with blokly
at a serten time and also with light sensor

these i use for a wile now and everything workes
but some time i see that the light will not go off
and lets say 2 times that it did not go on

for example one light should go off at 1
but this morning it was still on
in the log i see that the light should be off
then i want to manually put the light out thrue the domoticz dash but the light dous not react
i leave it on and about 1hour later it workes perfect
this is a chacon dimmer but also happens with klikaanklikuit swich
really anoying some time

[Egregius]

These are 433Mhz devices?
Try reposition them. That's the reason I switched everything to Z-wave.

[ThinkPad]

This is not a Domoticz bug/problem, therefore it should not be in the 'Bugs/problems' subforum. I have moved it.

The problem you are describing is one of the typical disadvantages of 433Mhz hardware. The only definitive solution would be switching to a different protocol like Z-Wave.
However, this will need additional hardware (Z-Wave controller + nodes) and thus mean: additional costs.

[jannl]

Try re-arranging them, or for the one(s) further away use a relay transmitter. Disadvantage: relay-transmitter send a burst.

[jessy1984]

thx for the reply
i think i better start changing a couple of things to zwave
the swiches are not far away max 7m

[jannl]

Remember that kaku must be at least 50 cm or so seperated from each other.
I had a switch that gave problems and was positioned next to a wall with the neighbours. The switch had problems from time to time. After changing the switch to an x10 switch the problems where gone. The switch now works perfectly in another location.

[Egregius]

the swiches are not far away max 7m

The distance doesn't mather that much, it's more what's around it.
At my home it were mostly the closest switches that refused while one on the attic never missed a switch (that's also the last 433 switch I have).

[jessy1984]

well dous mostly happen with one light always goes on off that seems more difficult
but well i 'm gonne see what i can find usb zwave plug and next swiches will be all zwave
unfortunatly more expencive but iff it all workes and more reliable i'd better shoose that

[BarryT]

You may use scripts for check stats and double send comands..

Work fine here for this problem.

you can make commands sended 3 times, for example.
2 in 5 seconds, the 3 a couple minutes later (just for backup, and to be sure the state is updated).
if that isnt a problem that it will not switch off or on the first time, this works perfect the second or when needed the 3 time.

[markk]

You may use scripts for check stats and double send comands..

Work fine here for this problem.

you can make commands sended 3 times, for example.
2 in 5 seconds, the 3 a couple minutes later (just for backup, and to be sure the state is updated).
if that isnt a problem that it will not switch off or on the first time, this works perfect the second or when needed the 3 time.

Do you need seperate Blockys to do this or can you use one to send three commands at different times?

[niceandeasy]

KAKU devices won't work properly if they are too close to each other. Keep them at least 50cm apart.
Position your rfxtrx433 further away from your Raspberry. Use the USB cable that came with it. Do not use longer cables. Put it at a 'good' spot. (see rfxtrx433 manual)
Some KAKU devices age. There is a capacitor inside, that wears out over time. Try a new one. (especially when they turn on but don't turn off)
Check your scripts, lua: put in some print commands or blocky: put in some write to log commands. Then check your log. Probably one or more scripts are firing continuously, causing 433MHz pollution.
Check your rfxtrx config. Some protcols do not work well when both activated. Disable everything you don't use.
Use a good power supply for your Raspberry, use a short, good quality USB cable for the power.
Use another USB port at your Raspberry. (probably need to re-add the hardware?)
Check the airwaves: Connect your rfxtrx to a Windows and run RFXcom's RFXManager tool. I never worked with it, but it should be able to list everything that uses the 433MHz band at your place. For all you know, your neighbor is jamming your stuff.
Are you using an original RFXCOM? (..meaning, not a very cheap chinese knock-off from e-bay?)
Did you experiment with other than the original RFXCOM antenna? - You might have damaged the transmitter.

Still.. weird.. I have a KAKU receiver in the garden shed. My rfxtrx is located at the top floor at the other side of the house. Still, it never misses a command.

[Ro8in]

I got exactly the same problem. I got a couple of Kaku switches and most never miss and actually work very reliable. I got one in wall switch like 2 meters away from the RFXCom and that one just misses constantly. Its really annoying because its a hallway light programmed to turn on and off based on motion and so it sometimes stays on letting the hallway light burn unnecessarily until someone turns it off again.

I'm not sure what I can do to make it better. I got the same switches built in the wall in the upstairs hallway and that one never misses. Neither my garden light kaku's miss and that one is much farther away. Could it be that the switch is faulty??

[Egregius]

Either it's faulty or the signal is interupted/disturbed because of external cause.

[Ro8in]

Well i was reading the suggestion to move the RFXCom a bit away using the long usb cable which I thought would be impossible that this could help (but hey its free so worth a shot) as the receiver is like 2 meters away, but after turning on and off for like a 100 times (my neighbors probably think im crazy now) I did not have a single miss yet..

Can moving the RFXCom a couple of centimeters really make such a difference?? My RFXCom is sitting in the hallway closet and I moved it just from right to the left side.. When I move it back to the right side I get a miss like 1 out of 10 times if I move it like 20 centimeters to the left side I dont get any misses.. Hows this possible. The receiver is the hallway switch sitting like 2 meters from the closet..

[Egregius]

Yes, couple of centimeters can already make a difference.
Another angle thru the wall, something causing interference in the path,...
That's the great advantage of the Z-wave mesh network. If a device isn't available directly it can make a roundtrip thru another device.

[oliviers]

Another possibility is to change the RFX antenna. Improves range and sensitivity a lot.
See the manual pg 35.
Oliviers

[Ro8in]

Yeah got all my sensors on z-wave already. Looking to replace my in wall switches soon to z-wave too. If u know any good ones suggestions are welcome!

[Egregius]

I have 13 Qubino's, I like them

[niceandeasy]

I didn't change the RFXTRX antenna. It's now at the perfect spot. I even receive a rain sensor from somebody in the neighborhood. All of my KAKU switches are operating properly.
There's just one wall sensor/button that was sometimes not working. I soldered a very thin 16.8cm wire at it's antenna output circuitry and left the on-print antenna as is. That wire is just hanging down, almost invisibly. And now it's also working properly.
I don't recommend soldering antenna wires to the switches, because you can get electroshocked by them. If that's really needed, use a very well insulated wire.

[bellyd]

Some KAKU (light)switches behave properly in one Group and not in another Group (defined in the Scenes tab). I have no problem switching them on/off individually (via the Domoticz Switches tab).

Any suggestions what the cause can be and more importantly how to correct this?