I have a Qolsys IQ4 and I would like to have a dry contact module (output) to control my existing water valve when I arm the alarm system. What is the easiest way…?
If you’re looking for a dry contact relay, I’ve been pretty happy with the Zooz line. They show up as switches in Alarm.com.
Shelly Z-Wave relays also work with Alarm.com although I haven’t used one myself.
Does your water valve have a dry contact controllable input? If not, there are also Z-Wave water valve controllers.
What do you want to happen to the valve when you arm the system? The more common use case is Alarm.com turns off the water valve when a leak is detected.
Wich model is the best one for me…? I saw the Zen51…? I want to close the valve every time I leave the house and arm the alarm system even if I have some water detectors in some places in the house. Thank you very much!
Which one is best depends on what you’re controlling. The Zooz & Shelly relays all show up as light switches in Alarm.com which can be automated when you arm & disarm. The actual water valve controllers show up as water valves.
The form factor of the ZEN16 & ZEN17 is intended for more general purpose applications while the ZEN5(1-3) are smaller to fit behind a light switch.
How would your valve be controlled? Just powering a DC motor? Or does it have some kind of digital input?
In addition to what Ryan suggested, I would also consider the ZEN58 and ZEN57 as good options. While both new devices, they seem to work slightly better with IQ/Alarm.com than the older ZEN16/17 in terms of things like scene control, response from contact actions, direct association compatibility and their switch input shows up as a remote for more advanced actions.
The ZEN58 is low voltage driven (9-40v AC or DC) and the ZEN57 is line voltage driven (120-220v), both are but only the ZEN58 is a dry contact relay.
Both are very small.
Edit: corrected error regarding ZEN57. It is not dry contact. Only the ZEN58 is.
The valve needs dry contact (0-1)
What voltage do you have available to drive the relay? Or is there an outlet nearby for a power brick? That would steer towards a particular product.
Yes I have a 120v outlet near.
In that case, I’d recommend the ZEN58, with a 12v 1a power supply.
For some bonus points, you could install it in a small project box if you wanted to make it neat, even install with a small momentary switch wired to the switch input for manual actuation of the relay (and triple press to put relay in include/exclude mode) without having to open the box. Then just run some 18/2 or even 22/2 from the relay to the valve. Of course all of that would vary wildly depending on where you install it and personal preference. If you want some amazon links to stuff I’ve used in the past just let me know.
Thank you very much for your complète answer. I Côme from Canada and here it’s Amazon.ca. I think that your links are for Amazon.com… I just need the Zen58 or Zen57 (directly to 120V) and it’s not avalaible on Amazon.ca I will find another place to but it… Thanks again!
For those of us in the US, the best place for Zooz is thesmartesthouse.com. It is their direct store with best prices. However I just checked and that site does not ship to Canada.
Their preferred Canada partner is https://shophometechsolution.org
EDIT: Also a correction - the ZEN57 is line voltage but not a dry contact. My mistake in earlier post. You would need to do the ZEN58 with a power adapter to get dry contact. Apologies on the miscommunication.
I wasn’t aware of that. Interesting! I haven’t noticed issues with my ZEN16 but I guess I’ve only used it for pretty basic automations.
I hadn’t seen the ZEN57 or ZEN58 yet. Based on the pics and specs, that looks great! Looks pretty new.
It’s long range, newer Z-wave, smaller, and looks higher quality. It looks like the terminals are nicer too, which was one of my complaints about the ZEN16.
Yes - only a few weeks old. I was lucky to put it through the testing regimen here in the lab and have one in production at this point. The direct association capability/compatibility in the IQ 4 and the fact the switch input works as a remote in ADC is really its killer features. Really like it so far. Here’s a pic of it living in my alarm can happily relaying and establishing scene control between ADC and Home Assistant!
(Sorry if slightly off topic.. I’m nerding out over here… I have video and schematics available if desired…)
I appreciate it! This is why we’re here.
If it hasn’t been mentioned this Powerg+ IO module is coming soon.
I installed it and it works!
Thank you very much!
That’s awesome! Glad to hear.
Have a good weekend.