Do Battery Life Monitors Work?

[burkeden]

I have used a dozen battery powered devices on my HS3 zwave network over the last few years. Each one has advertised that it passes on its battery level when it transmits. I currently have 6.

Not sure if this is a HS3 issue, device issue, or user issue. But since it has been the same experience for 2+ years and with different devices from different manufacturers, I am posting to the HS3 forum.

My observations:
* I do not *ever* recall seeing a value other than 100% or 0%.
* I have events set up to notify me when battery is below 25%. They have never been triggered. Yet I have replaced at least 2 batteries and today have another which is dead.

The devices I have set up right now are:
* Aeotec Gen 5 recessed door sensor
* Ecolink TILT-ZWAVE2 Garage Door Tilt Sensor
* Everspring water sensor

Do others have a better experience? If so, did you need to do anything in the device or in HS3 related to battery monitoring?

[waynehead99]

I have a mixture of sensors myself and I do the the status changing on my aeotec stuff. But the door sensors I haven't seen change at all, but also haven't had any issues yet.

I am not sure if it's accurate, but it has been working for me.

[burkeden]

I have a mixture of sensors myself and I do the the status changing on my aeotec stuff. But the door sensors I haven't seen change at all, but also haven't had any issues yet.

I am not sure if it's accurate, but it has been working for me.

Thanks for the feedback. Good to know it is possible. Is your screen shot from a page you created? I am not familiar with that particular one. I do not recall ever seeing values like you show - so something is clearly different.

[waynehead99]

Yea it is a separate page I created.

More Info, I did replace batteries in a bunch of devices a few days ago, so the 100's you are seeing are somewhat accurate.

There are a couple sensors that I am concerned about that I haven't seen update, but they are still working.

I saw somewhere on the forums someone that had created a script to look at last wake up and polling and is using that to determine if a device needs attention/new battery. I have considered doing something similar and its on my todo list, but low priority to some of the other things I am trying to finish up.

[TomTom]

I've been using the low battery script, but didn't see the thread you mentioned about polling them. Just did a search and didn't find it either.

I saw somewhere on the forums someone that had created a script to look at last wake up and polling and is using that to determine if a device needs attention/new battery. I have considered doing something similar and its on my todo list, but low priority to some of the other things I am trying to finish up.

[waynehead99]

I use the low battery script as well, it's actually the bases of the sql report I showed above (modified slightly).

Did some searching thru my subscribed threads and found the idea. It may work for you...

http://board.homeseer.com/showpost.p...6&postcount=24

[sparkman]

I have a few battery operated devices that do report properly, although with any battery, it's hard to measure exactly how much life is left. The ones that report properly are the Kwikset deadbolts, the CT30 thermostats, the Everspring Luminance sensors and the HSM100 motion sensor. The Everspring and Fortrezz water sensors I have don't report battery percentage properly. I actually have some Fortrezz water sensors that alternate every day between 0 and 99% and have been doing this for months and still seem to be working fine. The good thing with them is that they do update HS every day with their battery, so I look at whether they stopped reporting as the trigger to swap the battery. The Everspring water sensors never seem to update.

Cheers
Al

[AgileHumor]

are you using lithium ion. batteries? I was using energizer lithium AA and AAA and they showed the same behavior. they maintain voltage to the very end and die quick, where alkaline is what most devices expect have a slower (over weeks not days) voltage drop.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[NicolaiL]

I use a script that I run weekly to enumerate through all my devices and evaluate any with "battery" in the type name. It then sends me an email for anything with <30%

Script below for anyone interested:

    Public Sub CheckBatteryStatus(ByVal Parms As Object)
        ' Enumerates through all devices.
        ' Any device with Battery in the Device Type string will be evaluated
        ' Values <30 or =255 or with "low" or "warning" in the description will be included in the warning email

        ' Email constants for sending out email alerts and updates
        Const EMailRecipients As String = "me@mydomain.co.uk"
        Const EMailFrom As String = "homeseer@mydomain.co.uk"
        Const MinValue As Integer = 30 ' Battery values of this and below will be included in the error report

        Dim EMailSubject As String = "Battery status report for Landschultz Household as of " & Now()
        Dim EMailBody As String = "The following devices have low battery status:" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf
        Dim EmailToSend As Boolean = False

        Try
            Dim dv As Scheduler.Classes.DeviceClass
            Dim EN As Scheduler.Classes.clsDeviceEnumeration
            EN = hs.GetDeviceEnumerator
            Dim ref As Integer
            Dim IncDev As Boolean = False

            If EN Is Nothing Then
                hs.WriteLog("Script", "Error getting Enumerator")
                Exit Sub
            End If
            Do
                dv = EN.GetNext
                If dv Is Nothing Then Continue Do

                If InStr(dv.Device_Type_String(Nothing).ToUpper, "BATTERY") > 0 Then
                    ' This is a battery device. Evaluate if it should be in the email
                    ref = dv.Ref(Nothing)
                    IncDev = False
                    If hs.DeviceValue(ref) < 30 Or hs.DeviceValue(ref) = 255 Then
                        IncDev = True
                        EmailToSend = True
                        EMailBody = EMailBody & dv.Location(Nothing) & " " & dv.Location2(Nothing) & _
                            " " & dv.Name(Nothing) & " Current Value: " & hs.DeviceValue(dv.Ref(Nothing)) & "%" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf
                        Debug.WriteLine(dv.Device_Type_String(Nothing).ToUpper) ' @DONOTEXPORT
                    End If
                End If
            Loop Until EN.Finished

            Debug.WriteLine(EMailBody) ' @DONOTEXPORT

            If EmailToSend Then
                EMailBody = EMailBody & vbCrLf & "Please note this list does not include devices with battery levels above " & MinValue & "%" & vbCrLf
                hs.SendEmail(EMailRecipients, EMailFrom, "", "", EMailSubject, EMailBody, "")
            End If

        Catch ex As Exception
            hs.WriteLog("Error", "Exception in script: " & ex.Message)
        End Try

    End Sub

[AgileHumor]

I use a script that I run weekly to enumerate through all my devices and evaluate any with "battery" in the type name. It then sends me an email for anything with <30%

I get these errors when running the script on HS3:
Apr-22 9:58:31 AM Error Compiling script S:\Tools\HomeSeer\scripts\BatteryCheck.vb: 'Debug' is not declared. Debug object functionality is available in 'System.Diagnostics.Debug'.

Apr-22 9:58:31 AM Error Compiling script S:\Tools\HomeSeer\scripts\BatteryCheck.vb: 'Debug' is not declared. Debug object functionality is available in 'System.Diagnostics.Debug'.

Apr-22 9:58:31 AM Error Compiling script S:\Tools\HomeSeer\scripts\BatteryCheck.vb: Namespace or type specified in the Imports 'System.Core' doesn't contain any public member or cannot be found. Make sure the namespace or the type is defined and contains at least one public member. Make sure the imported element name doesn't use any aliases.

[sparkman]

are you using lithium ion. batteries? I was using energizer lithium AA and AAA and they showed the same behavior. they maintain voltage to the very end and die quick, where alkaline is what most devices expect have a slower (over weeks not days) voltage drop.

I've seen similar behavior with Lithium and with good quality Alkaline.

Cheers
Al

[langenet]

I get these errors when running the script on HS3:
Apr-22 9:58:31 AM Error Compiling script S:\Tools\HomeSeer\scripts\BatteryCheck.vb: 'Debug' is not declared. Debug object functionality is available in 'System.Diagnostics.Debug'.

Apr-22 9:58:31 AM Error Compiling script S:\Tools\HomeSeer\scripts\BatteryCheck.vb: 'Debug' is not declared. Debug object functionality is available in 'System.Diagnostics.Debug'.

Apr-22 9:58:31 AM Error Compiling script S:\Tools\HomeSeer\scripts\BatteryCheck.vb: Namespace or type specified in the Imports 'System.Core' doesn't contain any public member or cannot be found. Make sure the namespace or the type is defined and contains at least one public member. Make sure the imported element name doesn't use any aliases.

My guess is that the reference to System.Diagnostics needs to be added to settings.ini

[waynehead99]

Looks to me there is a copy typo on something it thinks labeled as debug.

[AgileHumor]

My guess is that the reference to System.Diagnostics needs to be added to settings.ini

Thanks! I pulled:
Debug.WriteLine(EMailBody) ' @DONOTEXPORT
and another Debug.X

Now the script gives me this error:
VB.Net script exception(0), re-starting: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

Public Sub CheckBatteryStatus(ByVal Parms As Object)
        ' Enumerates through all devices.
        ' Any device with Battery in the Device Type string will be evaluated
        ' Values <30 or =255 or with "low" or "warning" in the description will be included in the warning email

        ' Email constants for sending out email alerts and updates
        Const EMailRecipients As String = "x"
        Const EMailFrom As String = "x"
        Const MinValue As Integer = 40 ' Battery values of this and below will be included in the error report

        Dim EMailSubject As String = "Battery status report for X Household as of " & Now()
        Dim EMailBody As String = "The following devices have low battery status:" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf
        Dim EmailToSend As Boolean = False

        Try
            Dim dv As Scheduler.Classes.DeviceClass
            Dim EN As Scheduler.Classes.clsDeviceEnumeration
            EN = hs.GetDeviceEnumerator
            Dim ref As Integer
            Dim IncDev As Boolean = False

            If EN Is Nothing Then
                hs.WriteLog("Script", "Error getting Enumerator")
                Exit Sub
            End If
            Do
                dv = EN.GetNext
                If dv Is Nothing Then Continue Do

                If InStr(dv.Device_Type_String(Nothing).ToUpper, "BATTERY") > 0 Then
                    ' This is a battery device. Evaluate if it should be in the email
                    ref = dv.Ref(Nothing)
                    IncDev = False
                    If hs.DeviceValue(ref) < 30 Or hs.DeviceValue(ref) = 255 Then
                        IncDev = True
                        EmailToSend = True
                        EMailBody = EMailBody & dv.Location(Nothing) & " " & dv.Location2(Nothing) & _
                            " " & dv.Name(Nothing) & " Current Value: " & hs.DeviceValue(dv.Ref(Nothing)) & "%" & vbCrLf & vbCrLf

                    End If
                End If
            Loop Until EN.Finished

            If EmailToSend Then
                EMailBody = EMailBody & vbCrLf & "Please note this list does not include devices with battery levels above " & MinValue & "%" & vbCrLf
                hs.SendEmail(EMailRecipients, EMailFrom, "", "", EMailSubject, EMailBody, "")
            End If

        Catch ex As Exception
            hs.WriteLog("Error", "Exception in script: " & ex.Message)
        End Try

    End Sub

[waynehead99]

There is stuff missing from the script you are using.

Here is the full script

    Dim filename As String = "C:\Program Files\HomeSeer HS3\BatteryReport.txt" ' full path and filename of report (if sending report as an email attachment)
    Dim mailTo As String = "Email@hotmail.com" ' email TO address
    Dim mailFrom As String = "Email@hotmail.com" ' email FROM address
    Dim ReportAsAttachment As Boolean = False ' set to 'True' if report should be emailed as a file (attachment), set to 'False' if report should be in email body
    '____ End of User Configuration ____

    Public Sub Main(ByVal param As String)
        Dim myArray(0) As BatteryDevice
        Dim strDeviceString, centerSTR
                
        ' Header
        strDeviceString  = "<html><head><style type=" & chr(34) & "text/css" & chr(34) & ">TD{font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;}</style></head><body><p><table cellpadding=" & chr(34) & "4" & chr(34) & " WIDTH=" & chr(34) & "100%" & chr(34) & "border=" & chr(34) & "1" & chr(34) & "><tr><th>Ref ID</th><th>Battery %</th><th>Device Location / Name</th><th>Last Updated</th></tr>"
        centerSTR = "<td align=" & chr(34) & "center"  & chr(34) & "valign="  & chr(34) & "middle"  & chr(34) & ">&nbsp;"
                    
        Try
            Dim dv As Scheduler.Classes.DeviceClass
            Dim EN As Scheduler.Classes.clsDeviceEnumeration
            EN = hs.GetDeviceEnumerator
            If EN Is Nothing Then
                hs.WriteLog("BatteryReport", "Error getting Enumerator")
                Exit Sub
            End If

            Do
                dv = EN.GetNext
                If dv Is Nothing Then Continue Do

                ' Add to array if device type contains 'battery'
                If InStr(UCase(dv.Device_Type_String(Nothing)), "BATTERY") > 1 Then
                     ReDim Preserve myArray(UBound(myArray) + 1)
                    myArray(UBound(myArray) - 1) = New BatteryDevice

                    myArray(UBound(myArray) - 1).refID = ("[" & dv.Ref(Nothing).ToString & "]")
                    If dv.devValue(Nothing) > 100 Then ' if battery value is larger than 100(%), battery is invalid state
                        myArray(UBound(myArray) - 1).devValue = "  0%"
                    Else
                        myArray(UBound(myArray) - 1).devValue = (dv.devValue(Nothing).ToString & "%").PadLeft(7)
                    End If                    
                    myArray(UBound(myArray) - 1).devName = dv.Location(Nothing) & " " & dv.Name(Nothing) 'dv.Location2(Nothing) & " " & 
                    myArray(UBound(myArray) - 1).lastChange = dv.Last_Change(Nothing).ToString
                    
                End If
            Loop Until EN.Finished

            ReDim Preserve myArray(UBound(myArray) - 1)
            Array.Sort(myArray)
           
            Dim battdevice As Object
            For Each battdevice In myArray
                strDeviceString = strDeviceString & "<tr>" & centerSTR & battdevice.refID & "</td>" & centerSTR & battdevice.devValue  & "</td>" & "<td>" & battdevice.devName & "</td>" & centerSTR & battdevice.lastChange & "</td></tr>" 
            Next
            
             ' FOOTER
             strDeviceString = strDeviceString & "</table></p>"
             strDeviceString = strDeviceString & " [" & UBound(myArray) + 1 & " Battery Devices] - Report created " & Now.tostring 
             strDeviceString = strDeviceString & "</body></html>"
             
            ' SEND            
            If ReportAsAttachment Then
                System.IO.File.Delete(filename)
                My.Computer.FileSystem.WriteAllText(filename, strDeviceString, True, System.Text.Encoding.Default)
                hs.SendEmail(mailTo, mailFrom, "", "", "Battery Report", "Battery Report attached.", filename)
            Else
                hs.SendEmail(mailTo, mailFrom, "", "", "Battery Report", strDeviceString, "")
            End If
            
        Catch ex As Exception
            hs.WriteLog("BatteryReport", "ERROR:  Exception in script: " & ex.Message)
        End Try
        hs.WriteLog("BatteryReport", "Battery report created.")
        
    End Sub
    
    Public Class BatteryDevice
        Implements IComparable(Of BatteryDevice)

        Public refID As String
        Public devValue As String
        Public lastChange As String
        Public devName As String

        Public Function CompareTo(ByVal other As BatteryDevice) As Integer Implements IComparable(Of BatteryDevice).CompareTo
            Return Me.devValue.CompareTo(other.devValue)
        End Function
    End Class