HomeSeer HomeTroller SE3 — Quick-Start Setup Guide

Quick-start setup guide for the HomeSeer HomeTroller SE3 home automation controller — covering hardware installation, network access, Z-Wave device inclusion/exclusion, event creation, and troubleshooting.

Step 1 — Initial Setup

Hardware Installation

• Unpack the HomeTroller and AC power supply
• Connect a monitor, mouse, and keyboard for initial setup (also accessible remotely via VNC or find.homeseer.com)
• Connect an Ethernet cable to the HomeTroller and to a network port on your router
• Connect the AC power adapter to begin the boot process; allow the unit to fully boot

Accessing the Web Interface

1. Navigate to http://find.homeseer.com
2. Click "Search" — your HomeSeer system will appear at the bottom
3. Click the IP address hyperlink to access the system's web interface

Changing Username and Password

Default username: default, default password: default. It's highly recommended to change these to something more secure.

1. Go to Tools menu → Setup
2. Click the Network tab → Web User Settings
3. Enter a User Name and Password, choose User Rights
4. Click Add User (or Delete to remove a user)

Updating and Time Zone

Be sure to set the time zone and check for/install updates. HomeSeer checks for updates on boot; you may need to restart the HomeTroller or restart HS3 to complete an update. Set the time zone by double-clicking the system tray clock and choosing Change Time Zone.

Step 2 — Using RealVNC for Remote Access

RealVNC (pre-installed) allows access to the Windows® interface of the HomeTroller from any remote computer via LAN or the internet.

From Your Home Network

1. Open a Java-compatible browser and enter http://HomeTroller:5800 (or the LAN IP, e.g. http://192.168.0.100:5800)
2. Click "run" if a security message appears
3. Click "OK" on the VNC Viewer Connection Details box
4. Enter password "hsthst" at the VNC Authentication prompt

From the Internet

1. Enter http://[IP Address]:5800 in a Java-compatible browser
2. Click "run" if prompted, click "OK" on Connection Details, enter password "hsthst"

Note: If your internet connection is behind a firewall/router, open port 5800 to allow remote access.

Step 3 — Z-Wave Network Setup

Including Externally Powered Devices (switches, receptacles, plug-in modules)

Z-Troller (requires Serial-to-USB Converter Cable):

1. Press and hold the Add button to enter inclusion mode (requires AC or battery power)
2. Position within 1–3 feet of the Z-Wave device, press its network button/paddle. LED will say HOLD, then show the node number
3. Repeat for each device

Z-Stick:

1. Press/release the round button to enter inclusion mode (blue LED blinks slowly)
2. Position within 1–3 feet of the device, press its network button. LED glows solidly ~2 seconds if successful, then resumes blinking
3. Tap the button again to exit inclusion mode when finished

Including Battery Powered Devices (door locks, sensors)

1. Position the device within 1–3 feet of the HomeTroller (Z-Wave Controller must be plugged in)
2. From the web interface: PLUG-INS → Z-Wave → Controller Management
3. Expand your Z-Wave Controller section, open Actions → "Add/Include a Node"
4. Click Start; activate the network button on the device and watch the log window for "Finished with Replication process"

Excluding Devices

Z-Troller: Hold the Delete button to enter exclusion mode, then press the device's network button/paddle within 1–3 feet — LED shows HOLD then DONE.

Z-Stick: Hold the round button 3 seconds (LED blinks rapidly), then press the device's network button within 1–3 feet — LED glows solidly ~2 seconds then resumes rapid blinking.

Step 4 — Importing, Editing and Controlling Devices

Importing Z-Wave Devices

1. PLUG-INS → Z-Wave → Controller Management
2. Actions → "Import Node Info from Controller and Scan Devices"
3. Click Start; wait for "Finished with Z-Wave device synchronization"

Editing and Controlling

1. VIEW → Device Management, click "Show All"
2. Click a device Name to edit name/location/properties
3. Use the Control column buttons to operate the device

Step 5 — Creating Automation Events

An automation event = a trigger + one or more actions. Example: turn on lights at sunset.

1. VIEW → Events
2. Rename event group ("New Group" → e.g. "Lighting")
3. Expand "New Event", rename (e.g. "Lights on at Sunset")
4. In the Trigger section, choose "The Time Is…" → "The Time is Sunset"
5. In the Actions section, choose "Control a Device" → select the device and on/off method

Step 6 — HS3 Icons

HS3 uses icon buttons throughout the interface for Add/Delete, Copy Event, Standard/Advanced Editing, Toggle Edit Mode, Enabled/Disabled, Error Communicating, Expand/Collapse Section, Marked Devices Shown/Hidden, Access Log Settings, Poll Devices for Status, Reset Layout to Default, Run Event, Devices Ungrouped/Grouped, Add a Keyword or Pair, and Group Conditions used/not used. Hover over any icon to see a tooltip description — many icons are multi-functional.

Step 7 — Troubleshooting

All customers have lifetime support: 30-day priority phone support, then Help Desk (helpdesk.homeseer.com) and Message Board (board.homeseer.com).

Manufacturer Contact

HomeSeer Technologies
10 Commerce Park North, Unit #10
Bedford, NH 03110
www.homeseer.com
603-471-2816