Z-Wave 800 Series Button Controller + Dimmer Switch | Project Walt

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81

Copying from the Zigbee update:

Quick update: We’ve had the engineer relook at an alternate design to try to keep the paddles flush and the gaps between the paddles consistent as that was the struggle at CEDIA with the 3D prints.

The two solutions were to use the current, “lever” design:

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or a, “fulcrum” design:

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The fulcrum design was great at making sure the paddles were flush, but the issue became that the depressing of the paddle became inconsistent as you could not press the paddle down in the red area:

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We noticed a competitor used a similar design and the way they overcame it was to make their buttons rounded (think convex buttons) which forced the end user to push the button in the middle. Unfortunately, we just did not like the design of the rounded buttons.

This left us with the lever design and after some thought, the engineer said the following (yesterday):

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So, yesterday, I went ahead and approved tooling with the lever design and am putting my trust in them as they’ve never let us down and he’s a great engineer. He knows what we’re trying to accomplish, so this is one of those, “I’m skeptical, but please pull it off, I trust you” type scenarios.

–

Next steps are that they will open up tooling and get some actual samples created and will test it with the official plastic (not the 3D printed stuff).

What we’ll likely do if there is still an issue that can be fixed is send out the beta samples so we can at least start testing the firmware while they fix any tooling issues, but I am crossing my fingers that there won’t be any.

3 Likes
82

Thanks for the update on this! I was reading the Project Overview from the first post and wanted to clarify one thing:

This implies there will be some form of Z-Wave fan control as part of this project - is this still the case?

Thanks!

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85

Why haven’t there been any updates on this project? Is it still active?

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86

It is still active. All the different button configurations ended up being super complicated to engineer.

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87

Kitchen renovation is done. Empty holes are waiting (kind of) patiently… :slight_smile:

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88

@Eric_Inovelli It’s been five months since the last update. Given that the project is eight months behind the estimated schedule, I’m hoping there’s some news you can give us.

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89

InovelliUSA

• 2d ago

Just a quick update - we should be getting beta units within a week or two. I think they are wrapping up making them on the 8th (yes, a Saturday haha).

I will give a better update once we have the samples in hand!

Eric

https://www.reddit.com/r/Inovelli/comments/1j4fwl7/comment/mggd3dq/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

2 Likes
90

That is great news! Is there an application process for beta testing? I would definitely purchase a couple to test.

91

Is there a formal community Beta-testing process that customers undergo to be part of the beta-testing team? How does one become part of the process and help along the development of the product?

@EricM_Inovelli

Thanks,

Eric

92

I know you directed this to me, but Eric is going to have to answer that. I have no idea . . . :no_good_man:

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@Eric_Inovelli usually will extend an informal invite based on what hub the user is using, the project needs, how serious they are, etc. Then the user signs an NDA and is setup on our internal systems to do beta testing. Users will usually reach out to us via PM or we will find very active members in the community and ask.