After receiving the 2nd generation range extenders, I’m still not sure what the improvement are. It’s been said that it was to enhance the Z-wave devices, but I can’t seem to make a clear distinction on the enhancement.
After a while I started to think maybe they sent me the wrong range extender by mistake and it’s still the first generation. So I had to void the warranty and open them up to take a look inside for any changes.
As you can see I didn’t just open 1 but 4. This is to see if I can notice any difference between all the different batch codes that I have at home.
So from the left to right are 20W12, 24W12, 48W12, and 38W13. I’m assuming numbers before the W with lower numbers are earlier models while the higher ones are newer, and the 12 and 13 represent the year it was made.
I’ve found that batch 20W12 and 24W12 are the same and there is no difference between them. Changes were made in batch number 48W12. I noticed that the label for Z-Wave is “RevB-0” for the older model while the 48W12 would be labeled as “RevC-0”.
The newest batch 38W13 also has the Z-wave label of “RevC-0” too. There is however also one more additional change where I believe they are called electrolytic capacitor.
So it does look like there were two differences between the newest range extender and the earlier models. Now I’m wondering was I comparing the two range extenders which has the same Z-wave label of “RevC-0”. This would kind of explain why I don’t notice any differences. Also does the different electrolytic capacitor really have any effect?
Back to do more testing to see if I can figure out what the enhancement made for Z-Wave with these range extenders.
love your blog man. keep em coming!
Love what you did here. I know nothing but I bet those caps bring the voltage down from 110v to a lower voltage to power that smaller board. If you search zwave ic on google it comes up with the smaller board from “sigma designs”. I don’t know. Thanks though.
Thanks for starting the comparison. Funny that Lowes sent us all “new” ones but didn’t tell us to trash the “old” ones. Makes you wonder about their rationale.
I have had problems consistently with the two range extenders I have with my Iris system. They are always searching no matter how many time I reset them or move them. I get low signal when they are reset and within a few feet of the hub but switch to searching shortly after I move them. They both say they’re REP800 on them I have been trying to get a fix or solution from Iris support and they keep telling me they sent a request to second level support. It has been three weeks and every time I call they just say they will resend the request. I have two cameras and two door locks and they are always off line. I assume because of the range extenders. Anyone have the same problem?
i had the same problem after the device configured. it then stated that there was an available update immediately after pairing. when i installed it, the hub could still see the extender but when i moved it to it’s desired location, it would drop off. move it closer, and it would act properly. iris support told me after it was paired and configured, place it in desired spot and press the reset button on front one time. presto. worked like a champ.
Very disappointed that the customer has to build there own IRIS testing labs.
Shame on Lowes .. they are pullin defeat out of the jaws of a possible victory in the race foe smarthouse business leader (i.e CISCO and internet backbone winners.
Re: Caps
The normal usage for caps like that is for Power Filtering, after converting the Line AC to DC, it will still have a 60HZ Signal on it, by using Filtering caps you stabilize the DC component giving a cleaner signal to the rest of the Electronics.
I just installed my system. I have two range extenders and 1 smart plug. One of the range extenders is constantly searching (it shows a full signal then moments later its searching) Are the 1st generation extenders still in stores? I’m starting to wonder if I should just exchange it and try again. How many do you have on your system? They seem to have a very limited range.