Hey everyone, I wanted to share my experience with Vera and Z-Wave reliability, as it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for me. I’ve been using Vera for about a year now, with a mix of Z-Wave devices including switches, outlets, and thermostats. It’s been a solid setup for the most part, but lately, I’ve been facing some frustrating lockups that are affecting my daily life.
I have about 25 Vizia RF Switches, 3 Intermatic Outlets, and 2 RCS Thermostats all running on Vera. The issue started when I tried adding some HSM sensors, but the system became too unreliable. I’ve reset, excluded, and re-included my Z-Wave network multiple times, but the problem persists. Vera locks up 2-3 times a day, and the devices stop responding. It’s been especially stressful because two of my outlets control automatic pet feeders. Missing feedings or lights staying on all night is a nightmare, especially when I’m away.
I’ve tried a few things to mitigate this. I set up a cron job to reboot Vera every night, which seems to help a bit, but it’s not a perfect solution. I’m also planning to set up remote access so I can reboot Vera if it locks up while I’m away. I’d love to hear if anyone else has experienced similar issues or has tips for making Vera more reliable, especially when controlling critical devices like pet feeders or lights.
On a lighter note, I’ve been experimenting with Govee’s RGBIC Aura Table Lamp and LED strips for Halloween and autumn themes. It’s been a fun way to add some seasonal flair to my setup! I’d love to hear if anyone has creative ideas for using smart lighting for seasonal themes.
Overall, I’m hopeful that with some adjustments and community input, I can get Vera running smoothly again. Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated!