Hi! I'm using a RPi4 with a Conbee II device to control ZigBee devices in my home. This works pretty well, but pairing with new devices is inconvenient if they're not moveable. In those cases, I have to move the controller around to get close enough to pair with them. Is there some trick I could use to allow long distance pairing? Or do I just get a really long USB cable for the Conbee? What do people do? (My latest case is an IKEA Pilskott pendant lamp, mounted to the ceiling, so not moveable.)
#Tricks to pair ZigBee devices without having to move controller close to them?
calm fossil
keen peak
NEVER move the controller
The short answer is ... pair everything in their final location
If you can't then there's no reliable signal, and you need to add more Zigbee routers
calm fossil
But won't the device refuse to pair if it's too far away from the controller?
Producers typically write that you need whatever you pair with to be "within 5 cm of the controller".
But really, all you need is for there to be a strong enough signal.
(And a Zigbee router is just any Zigbee device powered by mains?)
keen peak
But won't the device refuse to pair if it's too far away from the controller?
No, really no
I've paired 100% of my Zigbee devices in their final location
keen peak
(And a Zigbee router is just any Zigbee device powered by mains?)
Mostly, except two-wire switches/dimmers and Sengled bulbs
calm fossil
Thanks!
graceful aurora
Ikea's pairing method when using their hubs specifically has you bring a remote near the new device that you're adding, but that's because they're using proximity-based pairing. And even in that case, you're bringing a remote near the new device, not moving the zigbee controller.
pairing devices in place without that proximity based pairing is usually possible, but it requires that you know how to reset the device and put it into "pairing mode" so it can be discovered (for lights, that's usually a sequence of switching it off/on repeatedly)
mellow drift
For zigbee devices, I'd suggest first, try searching with the new device in its final location.
If it's not detected after a couple of tries, move the device to the nearest zigbee router device and try again. Most zigbee devices other than switches will act as a router if they're not battery powered. If found, move it to its intended location and see if it is still working,
If it fails, try setting it up near the second and third nearest router devices and again move to its intended location.
If it still won't connect, maybe you need to put a spare router device part way between one of the router devices the intended location. I have an unused zigbee socket in my bedroom for precisely that purpose: it provides service to the temperature sensor in my garage, which is near the bedroom wall.
keen peak
I'd agree with the first and fourth suggestions, the other two run the risk of devices not working once you move them back
Adding more routers is rarely expensive, and well worth it
finite hare
I think most of the problems with Zigbee are due to the overlap of Wi-Fi and Zigbee radio frequencies. It seems controllers are usually factory set by default to a mid-channel frequency. You should manually override the controller channel and set it to 25 to put it at the extreme end of the Wi-fi spectrum to minimize interference
graceful aurora
in addition to that, adjust your wifi to avoid the channel nearest the zigbee frequency (so if zigbee is on channel 25, then avoid wifi channel 11)
that's not always necessary, but there is a little bit of channel overlap so it can help if things are marginal, especially if your zigbee controller is near your wifi router.
finite hare
Most modern Wi-fi routers change channels dynamically to find a clear channels. You can get a free Wi-fi analyzer app for you phone to see how much Wi-Fi traffic you're dealing with
I see 10 AP's right now near me
graceful aurora
wifi routers will not detect a low power zigbee signal on the edge of one of the wifi bands as a significant amount of interference. wifi power does fall off relatively quickly with distance, so having your ap avoid channel 11 can still help even if neighbours are still using that channel.
finite hare
If you live in an apartment your neighbor's routers could be just on the other side of the wall or just above or just below or all of the above. Zigbee channel 25 is your only hope. If you are still seeing too much interference use Z-Wave which is in the 800-900 MHZ range
cobalt falcon
I think most of the problems with Zigbee are due to the overlap of Wi-Fi and Zi...
This was my issue, compounded by the fact my WiFi equipment inexplicably does not let you specify the channel. So the easiest thing to do was the shove Zigbee as far to one end as possible 😎
finite hare
Yep
cobalt falcon
And then Thread on the other side, since I am a masochist who likes to cram as much stuff into the 2.4 band as possible, apparently