First time post–I have been perusing these forums and learning a lot in recent days. I had the original 2gig panel installed in 2011. Set it and forget it? That was me. The system has performed great since that original install. I just recently had to update the originally installed 2G GSM module as the towers in my neighborhood had finally put the 2G transmitters to rest. I now have a new 3G module in the panel and the firmware was “updated” in the process. I use quotations because the newest firmware is apparently incompatible with my old panel. V1.13 had to be installed to get the panel to fire up after failing to do so with v1.14.
Two questions:
-I’m interested in finally using some of the home automation capabilities of the panel. Given its age (A
again, original panel so I have z-wave version 2gig 2.78) how limited in performance/capabilities am I? How do I know what z-wave devices will work with 2.78? I assume I can’t just grab any z-wave device and think everything will work flawlessly…?
-if I were to upgrade to the newest 2gig panel, can I safely assume I can swap in the same 3G cellular module I just installed in my current panel?
I now have a new 3G module in the panel and the firmware was “updated” in the process. I use quotations because the newest firmware is apparently incompatible with my old panel. V1.13 had to be installed to get the panel to fire up after failing to do so with v1.14.
We’ve seen some problems going from older firmware (pre-1.10.1) straight to 1.14.01. It is best to take it as an incremental update and apply 1.13 first, then up to 1.14.01.
How do I know what z-wave devices will work with 2.78? I assume I can’t just grab any z-wave device and think everything will work flawlessly…?
The only device I know that will not work on 2.78 and requires a newer panel is the Alarm.com Remote Temp sensor. The older panels do not support NWI (network wide inclusion) which will cause problems with that device.
if I were to upgrade to the newest 2gig panel, can I safely assume I can swap in the same 3G cellular module I just installed in my current panel?
If you mean the GC3 panel, no, the modules are not interchangeable. Newer versions of the Go!Control (GC2) yes, you can swap the module from one to another.
Great, thanks for the answers, Jason. I don’t necessarily intend to update the panel, especially now that I’ve learned I will not be significantly impacted by sticking with z-wave 2.78. And good to know my new cellular module would be worthless with the GC3…that’s all I was really interested in, if anything.
So I didn’t try to reinstall firmware v1.14 after the panel became once again operational with v1.13 installed. Will I be missing out on much should I stick with 1.13?
So I didn’t try to reinstall firmware v1.14 after the panel became once again operational with v1.13 installed. Will I be missing out on much should I stick with 1.13?