My ZSE42 Leak Sensor is Not Reporting Reliably To My Hub

Have you installed and added your ZSE42 sensor to the hub, but you're not receiving accurate reports? Is your sensor consistently showing either wet or dry status, or is it failing to generate reports? Don't worry, we've compiled the most effective troubleshooting steps for you to try before contacting our support team for assistance.

Check The LED Response

We recommend starting here, as this simple check will confirm if the sensor is responsive by manually waking the sensor. Just click the Z-Wave button 4 times quickly to wake the sensor up manually and the LED indicator will flash once to confirm the device is awake

If the LED is responding as expected, continue the troubleshooting steps below to check any other potential issues. If you do not get an LED response to the manual wake up process, please try a fresh battery in the unit (see the Battery section below for recommended brands).

Inclusion Location

Where were you when you first included the ZSE42 to your Z-Wave hub? When building your mesh, you want to start by including the mains powered devices (non-battery) that will be located closest to the hub first, then building outward as you include devices.

This allows the hub to utilize the necessary repeaters to reach the devices on the outside of the mesh network.
A Z-Wave repeating device is any mains-powered (non-battery) device, such as any of our Z-Wave switches, Z-Wave plugs, or dedicated Z-Wave range extenders or repeaters like the ZAC38 Range Extender.
You also want to ensure you give your Z-Wave mesh time to establish itself before automating your Z-Wave devices. It may take several hours for your Z-Wave mesh to automatically find the optimal routing.
If you add devices near the hub, then move them to their final location, you may experience routing issues down the road; therefore it is preferable to join your devices in their intended permanent location.
- When you include a Z-Wave device while near the hub, the hub devises a direct line of communication with the device. This means that when you relocate the battery powered units to the target installation location, the hub has already established the route and ignores any potential repeaters that may be needed when the device is in the installation location

Check the Distance to the Hub

If you've confirmed that the sensor is responsive to the manual wake and that the sensor was properly included from the target installation location, the next thing you need to check is for any range related issues.

How far is the sensor's installation location from the hub and the nearest non-battery powered Z-Wave device?
- The ZSE42 has a Z-Wave range of 130ft line of sight. Please keep in mind that this Z-Wave range is calculated by testing in the line-of-sight, which means there would be no wall or obstructions and the hub would be at the same elevation as the sensor (not on a different floor of the home).
- If your sensor is not line of sight or is close to or farther than the rated distance, you'll need Z-Wave repeaters between the sensor and the hub.
  - Remember, if you add a repeating device between the sensor and the hub, it is recommended to exclude the ZSE42 sensor and re-include it from the target location, so the hub can then utilize the new repeater int the communication route.
  - If your hub provides the option, you can also heal the network (also called network repair, rebuild routes, or Z-Wave repair, depending on your hub interface). Some hubs, like the Z-Box, optimize routing frequently, updating the mesh routes to the best available.

Check for Interference

Although the ZSE42 boasts a line of sight range of up to 130ft, obstacles such as thick walls, large furniture, and metal elements can diminish this distance. Additionally, it's important to consider other household interference often overlooked, such as radio interference from devices like cordless house phones, older baby monitors, and weather stations.

The range is primarily influenced by your home's layout and the effectiveness of your mesh network. To address interference issues, follow the same steps outlined above to incorporate Z-Wave repeaters, which can help mitigate interference effects. Additionally, consider adjusting the sensor's angle or position to enhance signal strength and optimize performance.

Battery

If you've checked the LED response and ruled out any range or interference issues, it's time to check your battery.

3.2V - 3V is a full battery (100%) and the Z-Wave chip manufacturer requires all Z-Wave devices to report a low battery at 2.6V.
- The ZSE42 sensor is powered by a single CR2450 battery, and we recommend using Energizer, Panasonic, or Maxell brand batteries which are confirmed to work well in the sensors.
- Our technicians have confirmed that at this point, Duracells are not providing power to the XS sensors due to the extra bitter coating on these batteries. You can try wiping the battery with alcohol to remove the bitter coating, allowing it to dry fully, then inserting the battery.
- Rechargeable batteries are not recommended, as these usually decrease in max voltage with time, so you may see a shorter battery life or a "fully charged" battery not working in the sensor.

Temperature

Although the sensor can be installed outdoors in a sheltered area, it functions within a temperature range of 32° – 104°F. It's crucial to avoid temperatures below 32°F because while CR2450 batteries can technically operate down to -22°F, colder temperatures hinder ion mobility, leading to increased internal resistance and a decrease in output voltage. Although no energy storage is lost, the energy fails to reach the device and dissipates internally. Consequently, in cold weather, the sensor may cease to respond, but once temperatures rise, it should resume normal operation. The sensor requires a specific voltage from the battery to transmit data, and when this energy is dissipated due to cold conditions, functionality is temporarily lost until the battery warms up. The sensor needs a substantial amount of Voltage (2.6) from the battery to sustain the Z-Wave chip and report to the hub. When that energy is dissipated due to the cold, you get a loss of function until the battery is warmed. You may experience reporting issues if the sensor operates in extreme temperatures close to the edge of the rated low of 32° F and the rated high of 104° F for prolonged periods of time. Keep in mind that climate conditions affect all electronic devices and especially battery-powered products so it's best to avoid exposing your electronics to direct sunlight and keep them in a shaded spot protected from extreme heat or cold.

If you've tried all of the troubleshooting steps above but you are still having reporting issues, please reach out to our team for assistance and include the details from the troubleshooting steps you've attempted above for the most expedient resolution.