HomeSeer PRO-100 S5 — Quick-Start Guide

Quick-start guide for the HomeSeer PRO-100 S5 — covering initial hardware setup, remote access via RealVNC, Z-Wave network setup, importing/controlling Z-Wave devices, creating automation events, and troubleshooting.

Step 1 — Initial Setup

Hardware Installation

1. Unpack the PRO-100 and AC power supply.
2. Connect a monitor, mouse, and keyboard for initial setup (also accessible remotely via VNC or find.homeseer.com).
3. Connect an Ethernet cable to the PRO-100 and to a network port on your internet router.
4. Connect the AC power adapter and power on the unit, allowing it to boot fully.

Accessing the Web Interface

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

Changing the Username and Password

Default username: default. Default password: default. Change these to something more secure and save the new credentials.

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

Updating and Setting Time Zone

HomeSeer checks for updates on boot. You can restart the PRO-100 or just restart HS3 to apply updates — HomeSeer must be shut down once the update procedure begins. To set the time zone, double-click the time in the system tray and choose Change Time Zone.

Step 2 — RealVNC Remote Access

RealVNC (pre-installed) lets you access the PRO-100's Windows® interface remotely over LAN or WAN.

From Your Home Network

1. Open a Java-compatible browser and enter http://PRO-100:5800 (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 the VNC Authentication password hsthst and press Enter.

From the Internet

1. Enter http://[IP Address]:5800 in a Java-compatible browser.
2. Click Run if prompted; click OK on the connection details box.
3. Enter password hsthst and press Enter.

Note: If protected by a firewall/router, open port 5800 for internet access. VNC Viewer can also be run as a standalone application on the remote computer.

Step 3 — Z-Wave Network Setup

Z-Wave devices (switches, thermostats, locks, sensors) must be included into a Z-Wave network before they can be controlled.

Including Externally Powered Devices

Using a Z-Troller:

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 and press its network button/paddle. Success shows "HOLD" then the node number on the Z-Troller's LED display.
3. Repeat for each device to add.

Using a Z-Stick:

1. Press and release the round button to enter inclusion mode — the blue LED blinks slowly.
2. Position within 1–3 feet of the device and press its network button/paddle. Success: the LED glows solid for ~2 seconds, then resumes slow blinking. If it doesn't glow solid, reset the device (see Excluding Devices below).
3. Repeat for additional devices, then tap the Z-Stick button again to exit inclusion mode.

Including Battery-Powered Devices

Battery-operated devices (door locks, environmental sensors) must be included using the PRO-100 web interface, with the Z-Wave controller plugged into the PRO-100.

1. Position the battery-operated device within 1–3 feet of the PRO-100.
2. In the web interface, navigate to Plug-Ins → Z-Wave → Controller Management.
3. Expand the Z-Wave Interfaces section, open Actions, and choose "Add/Include a Node."
4. Click Start to enter inclusion mode.
5. Activate the network button on the battery device and watch the inclusion log for a "Finished with Replication process" confirmation.

Excluding Devices

Z-Troller: Press and hold Delete to enter exclusion mode; position within 1–3 feet and press the device's network button. LED shows "HOLD" then "DONE."

Z-Stick: Hold the round button for 3 seconds to enter exclusion mode (LED blinks rapidly); position within 1–3 feet and press the device's network button. LED glows solid ~2 seconds, then resumes rapid blinking.

Step 4 — Importing, Editing, and Controlling Z-Wave Devices

1. In the web interface, go to Plug-Ins → Z-Wave → Controller Management.
2. Expand the Z-Wave Interfaces section, open Actions, and choose "Import Node Info from Controller and Scan Devices."
3. Click Start — wait for "Finished with Z-Wave device synchronization."
4. Go to View → Device Management and click "Show All" to see every device.
5. Click a device's Name to edit its properties; use the Control column buttons to operate it.

Step 5 — Creating Automation Events

An event combines a trigger with an action. Example: turn on lights at sunset.

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

Step 6 — Troubleshooting

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