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[Tuicemen]

I know it is possible to add a USB Hub or hat to the ZeroW.
But what I'm wondering is those that used the test pads to add an additional USB.
I have a few ZWave modules for things X10 has no equivalent like a door lock. HomeGenie can see a ZWave controller if connected to the OTG USB port or if I have it connected to a USB Hub. However add a X10 CM to the USB hub and neither is seen. I plan to utilize the solder pads in my Cm15/Pi mod any ways But I'm wondering if HG will see this as a Hub or a new specific USB port.
I do have an extra Zero W which could be used just for ZWave and maybe some other protocols  but I have other plans for it.
I'm also not sure how to intergate multi HG Pis though I'm sure I'd figureit out if need be.

[bkenobi]

I don't know about the USB port, but there were several users on the old HG forum who ran muktiple HG setups. If you try that route, the old forum should have the info or, since Gene is here, he might be able to offer advice on any issues.  There is an app inside HG for communicating between, but I've never tried it.

[Tuicemen]

I don't know about the USB port, but there were several users on the old HG forum who ran muktiple HG setups. If you try that route, the old forum should have the info or, since Gene is here, he might be able to offer advice on any issues.  There is an app inside HG for communicating between, but I've never tried it.

Thanks bkenobi, I've just started to play with the integrating part of HG to pass info from one HG setup to another.

I'd realy like to have all HA control from one instance of HG running on the PiX10Hub if possible.
 Maybe I'll need to pick up a different Pi to run the PiX10Hub from.

[racerfern]

So, of all the RPi boards available is the Zero W the only one that can be used with the image that has been created?

I thought I saw something about this but couldn't find the post.

[dhouston]

This looks like a worthwhile addition to a Pi Zero W...
http://referencedesigner.com/blog/order-hubserialixed/6731/

Scroll to TOP of page for a current link for ordering.

[Tuicemen]

I believe that attaches to the solder test pads.
I've seem similar addon boards but all are more then the Pi Zero W I first picked up this one is a little closer in price.
Good find!
I may order one of these to allow future expansion However for now I need to see if the solder test pads are recognized by HG as a separate USB port and I only need one extra port at the moment.
 

[Brian H]

I have seen a Zero4U four port USB adapter for I believe $9.95.
Latest revision also worked with a Pi Zero W. Added a ferrite ring on two of the pins. The W's Wi-Fi RF was causing issues.
It mounts on the back side of the Pi Zero W with spacers and nylon screws. It use Pogo pins to contact the needed test pads on the Pi Zero W. Is the same physical size of the Pi Zero W's PCB.

[dhouston]

I'm not intimately familiar with the Pi Zero W features but have read that you have to disable Bluetooth in order to use the native UART. So, it would seem the advantage of the hubserialixed is that you can add USB ports and a serial port without losing Bluetooth. It would seem ideal for integrating the various HA technologies as well as peripherals like a keyboard and mouse.

I don't really have the need for one as my personal HA needs are quite modest these days but I have ordered one and will try to play with it as time allows. I will post my conclusions (and any confusions) here.

And, although the product webpage isn't explicit it does imply that it connects via Pogo pins, leaving all 40 IO pins free.
 
The designer has an earlier version for the Pi Zero that was just a 4-port USB hub, but dropped one USB port so he could add the serial port for the Pi Zero W.
https://www.cnx-software.com/2016/02/29/hubpixed-is-a-neat-and-cablefree-usb-hub-for-the-raspberry-pi-zero-crowdfunding/

One advantage of the earlier version was it made it easy to add a WiFi dongle to the Pi Zero.

PS: The above link does explicitly show the Pogo pins.

[Tuicemen]

Thanks for the added info, as I suspected it does utilize the test pads.
I've the bluetooth utilized in my ZeroW to get sound notifications so I deffinately don't want to loose BT.

[dhouston]

Also, I'm not at all familiar with HG, but would think that having a serial port available for a CM11A or XTB-232 would be necessary for full featured HA systems support on the Pi Zero and Pi Zero W.

[Tuicemen]

Also, I'm not at all familiar with HG, but would think that having a serial port available for a CM11A or XTB-232 would be necessary for full featured HA systems support on the Pi Zero and Pi Zero W.

yes a serial port being available is useful for so many things.

[petera]

Also, I'm not at all familiar with HG, but would think that having a serial port available for a CM11A or XTB-232 would be necessary for full featured HA systems support on the Pi Zero and Pi Zero W.

You’ve a number of options there for the CM11. Usb to serial cable, utilise the GPIO pins or a pi serial hat. The GPIO option also gives you a console which you can use to troubleshoot the board in the event it doesn’t boot.

I’ve tried all three options and they work. The GPIO options requires a little mod which isn’t too difficult.

[dhouston]

Using a USB2Serial cable for a CM11A works but uses the only USB connection on the Pi Zero. In effect that's what the Hubpixed or HubSerialpixedHubSerialpixed has done by adding a USB2Serial IC in place of one of the USB connections of their earlier Hubpixed.

Most of the Pi Serial Hats commandeer the native UART of the Pi Zero and Pi Zero W which disables Bluetooth on the latter.

The GPIO method is certainly viable, assuming it does not use the UART, but is certainly more complicated than just bolting on a Hubpixed or HubSerialpixed.

If we are talking about creating an HA Hub, I think the additional ports are necessary (and relatively inexpensive with a Hubpixed or HubSerialpixed).

An added advantage for the earlier Pi Zero is that some of 4 the extra USB ports can be used with dongles to add WiFi and Bluetooth.

https://www.amazon.com/ZTC-Wireless-Adapter-802-11N-ZTC-WUE001-BK/dp/B013PY31X0

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Receiver-Transfer-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B0775YF36R/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1546257852&sr=1-3&keywords=bluetooth+adapter

The Hubpixed and HubSerialpixed connect to D+ & D- beneath the Pi's USB connector and to GND & 3V3 via spring loaded Pogo pins.

http://referencedesigner.com/blog/hubpixed-raspberry-pi-zero-hub-without-cable-or-connector/6551/

http://referencedesigner.com/blog/order-hubserialixed/6731/

[petera]

Using a USB2Serial cable for a CM11A works but uses the only USB connection on the Pi Zero. In effect that's what the Hubpixed or HubSerialpixedHubSerialpixed has done by adding a USB2Serial IC in place of one of the USB connections of their earlier Hubpixed.

Most of the Pi Serial Hats commandeer the native UART of the Pi Zero and Pi Zero W which disables Bluetooth on the latter.

The GPIO method is certainly viable, assuming it does not use the UART, but is certainly more complicated than just bolting on a Hubpixed or HubSerialpixed.

If we are talking about creating an HA Hub, I think the additional ports are necessary (and relatively inexpensive with a Hubpixed or HubSerialpixed).

An added advantage for the earlier Pi Zero is that some of 4 the extra USB ports can be used with dongles to add WiFi and Bluetooth.

https://www.amazon.com/ZTC-Wireless-Adapter-802-11N-ZTC-WUE001-BK/dp/B013PY31X0

https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Receiver-Transfer-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B0775YF36R/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1546257852&sr=1-3&keywords=bluetooth+adapter

The Hubpixed and HubSerialpixed connect to D+ & D- beneath the Pi's USB connector and to GND & 3V3 via spring loaded Pogo pins.

http://referencedesigner.com/blog/hubpixed-raspberry-pi-zero-hub-without-cable-or-connector/6551/

http://referencedesigner.com/blog/order-hubserialixed/6731/

Personally speaking if you were to push connections beyond one USB port I'd opt for a standard Raspberry Pi. Double the RAM, nearly twice the processor, 4 USB ports to choose from and of course on board Ethernet.

Running two server software packages on a Pi Zero v a Standard Raspberry Pi really does show the performance difference too. Simpler solution as its ready to go out of the box.

[Tuicemen]

For me the only advantage of a Zero W is its foot print. Even with the added HubSerialixed - USB Hub + UART for Pi Zero board it will still fit in a CM15. I anyone wished to go that route.