Aeotec Z-Pi 7 User manual
Z-Pi 7 user guide.
Modified on: Mon, 30 May, 2022 at 5:52 PM
Aeotec Z-Pi 7 was developed to control actuators and sensors in a Z-Wave Plus Network as a self-powered Z-Wave® GPIO
Adapter. It's powered by (https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-automation/z-wave-gen7.html)Series 700 (https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-
automation/z-wave-700-series.html)andGen7 (https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-automation/z-wave-gen7.html) technology utilizing
SmartStart (https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-automation/z-wave-smart-start.html)native integration and S2 (https://aeotec.com/z-wave-
s2/)security.
The technical specifications of Z-Pi 7 (https://aeotec.freshdesk.com/a/solutions/articles/6000230553) can be viewed at that link.
Get to know your Z-Pi 7
Z-Pi 7 compared to Z-Stick Gen5+
There are large differences in the Z-Pi7 using Series 700 Z-Wave compared to Z-Stick Gen5+ using the previous Series 500 Z-
Wave hardware, you can learn more by reading the table at this page: https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-
automation/development-kit-pcb.html (https://aeotec.com/z-wave-home-automation/development-kit-pcb.html)
Important safety information
Please read this and other device guides carefully. Failure to follow the recommendations set forth by Aeotec Limited may
be dangerous or cause a violation of the law. The manufacturer, importer, distributor, and/or reseller will not be held
responsible for any loss or damage resulting from not following any instructions in this guide or other materials.
Keep product away from open flames and extreme heat. Avoid direct sunlight or heat exposure.
Z-Pi 7 is intended for indoor use in dry locations only. Do not use in damp, moist, and/or wet locations.
Quick start
The following will step you through using Z-Pi 7 when it is attached to a host controller (Raspberry Pi or Orange Pi Zero) as a
primary controller.
Please make sure the host controller is pre-installed; this includes any drivers that the corresponding OS may need.
1. Connect Z-Pi 7 to a host controller. The following diagrams show how to install the Z-Pi on each system.
1.1. Install Z-Pi 7 on Raspberry Pi
OS: Linux - Raspian "Stretch" or higher:
The Z-Pi7 uses the same port as Bluetooth. To use Z-Pi 7, you must deactivate Bluetooth.
1.1.1. Open an SSH connection to your system, use Putty (Link (https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/)), you
can find out how to connect Putty to RPi in this link: SSH Putty to RPi
(https://raspberrypi4dummies.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/connect-to-the-raspberry-pi-via-ssh-putty/).
1.1.2. Enter the user "pi".
1.1.3. Enter your password "raspberry"(standard).
1.1.4. Now enter the following command.
sudo nano /boot/config.txt
Generic
1.1.5. Add the following line depending on the hardware version of RPi that you are using.
Raspberry Pi 3
dtoverlay=pi3-disable-bt
enable_uart=1
Generic
Raspberry Pi 4
dtoverlay=disable-bt
enable_uart=1
Generic
1.1.6. Exit the Editor with Ctrl X and save with Y.
1.1.7. Reboot the system with:
sudo reboot
Generic
1.1.8. Login with SSH again, enter your username and password.
1.1.9. Check if the port ttyAMA0 is available with:
dmesg | grep tty
Generic
1.2. Install Z-Pi 7 on Orange Pi Zero
OS: Linux - Armbian:
To use Z-Pi 7 with Orange Pi Zero the port must be activated.
1.2.1. Open an SSH connection to your system, use Putty (Link (https://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/)), you
can find out how to connect Putty to RPi in this link: SSH Putty to RPi
(https://raspberrypi4dummies.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/connect-to-the-raspberry-pi-via-ssh-putty/).
1.2.2. Enter the user "root" (standard at first connection).
1.2.3. Enter your Password.
1.2.4. Now enter the following command.
armbian-config
HTML
1.2.5. In the opened menu, go to the item system and press OK.
1.2.6. Go to Hardware and press OK
2. Open your selected third-party software.
3. Following your third-party software instructions for connecting a Z-Wave USB adapter. Select the COM or virtual port Z-Pi 7 is
associated with.
In most cases, any devices already paired with Z-Pi 7 network will automatically show up in the software's interface.
Advanced
Z-Pi 7 Pinout
Below are the pinouts for the Z-Pi 7.
Using this pinout, you may wire Z-Pi 7 to USB using a Serial to USB Adapter. You may find out more about how to do this
following this guide here: https://aeotec.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/6000253071-z-pi-7-to-usb-
connection (https://aeotec.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/6000253071-z-pi-7-to-usb-connection)
Adding Z-Pi 7 to a pre-existing Z-Wave network
This must be done through the host software which takes control of Z-Pi 7. Please consult the instruction manual of the
host software to add the Z-Pi 7 to a pre-existing Z-Wave network (i.e. “Learn”, “Sync”, “Add as Secondary Controller”,
etc.).
This function can only be performed through a compatible host software.
Reset your Z-Pi 7
Z-Pi also can be reset to the factory defaults settings via the host software (host software can be any third-party software such
as Homeseer, Domoticz, Indigo, Axial, etc).
The host software must take control of Z-Pi.
Find the Reset Z-Wave controller option in your third-party software.
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