paulbates

Yeh, I went through a period when I had an WGL receiver putting X10 Motion sensors around to gather light levels. I've compromised on one spot that seems to get it right most of the time. The techniques in this post have me thinking about adding a seasonal program layer to it Thanks Larry

It's been an ongoing struggle for me too. I've used several light sensor methods. Got close but never perfect.

FYI. The earth's axis changed a few degrees. Oh, and the sun moved.too .

Other packages have them. I used Mark Sandler's plugin for homeseer that watched traffic and calculated a 0 - 100% signal quality score for each device in a list. I had devices in the 60 - 80% range before signal linc, and everything except one MS was 95% or better afterwards. Most at 100%. That lead my down the path to rely on RF only when needed... noisy / problem circuits. The hop count dropped for many devices. Houselinc has a similar feature called signal diagnostics. You can switch over to that temporarily since its free and measure how it works with three signallincs breakers on and breakers off, but that's a lot of work if things work fairly well. There is a request into UD to have a similar insteon diagnostic feature in the ISY.

+ 1, Stu. My previous HA package provided a dashboard of signal performance for all devices. I started insteon with 3 access points, and then a few years later installed a signal linc. The before and after were measurable and remarkable. I removed 2 access points as a result, 2 less things to worry about breaking. I occasionally will notice, or hear from the family, about problems with devices on certain circuits not working properly. The resolution is to unplug and replug the access point there. In an interesting twist, I am having better luck with a circuit that always had an access point on it, when I finally removed it after putting in the signalinc (and I did swap APs to make sure that one wasn't defective) My view is that a combination of adding a signalinc to the main / root panel, and locating the PLM there too, provides the best balance of access from devices on the powerline to the panel. Even though you have a lot of mesh in dual band devices, all roads lead to the breaker panel and there's the potential to drop a hop getting to and from the ISY. I've not heard any specific stories that installing a signal linc made an installation worse afterwards. I'm not sure either way if the sub panels would need signalincs too. Start with one on the main/root panel and see how things are different. If you think you can do better, move on the other panels. Paul

Yep, you got it. I have the same duct booster situation. I use my thermostats' mode changes and outside temperature to turn that on.

I've used several HA platforms over the years, and came to ISY in the last couple of months. I found that it takes a little bit of practice to learn the ISY's way of doing things, but after I got a handle on it, its pretty straight forward. One suggestion is to explore / search 'How to's and tutorials" section of the board, also "Questions and Answers". Search for "bathroom" or "sprinklers" or whatever you are automating. You will find something that resonates with what you are doing, and find sample programs that demonstrate different ways to do it. That's another concept, there might be several ways to do the same thing. What works for you is the right way. As you write more programs, you'll run in to more complex scenarios with "if"s and using the "else". Don't worry about it now, and know that there is a ton of help on the board if you post your program; either suggestions or sample programs back for you to look at. In addition to the programs, its a great community. It was helpful for me to move functions over one at a time rather than focusing on devices. For example, move your yard light motion sensor and associated lights, then move on to the attic fan...etc. You will have different functions than my examples, but that's approach served me well. Start simple, move into the more complex.

As a follow up, I had my first occurrence of this technique working on its own last night. There was a light rain that started early am. The normal sprinkler cycle started at 2:15 as expected. At 3:25 enough rain fall to equal normal watering had fallen and the "Mid Cycle shutdown program" kicked in and shut the cycle down. It indexed the variable to track mid cycle cancels. It cut ~2 hours of sprinkling out of a 4+ hour cycle.

I think two things will help The ISY can turn on and off scenes as well as switches. Instead of turning each switch on individually, simple pick the scene off of the list of things to 'Set' in your program. You can configure the scene to respond to all of the switches. When you set up scenes you can make all off the switches (that support it) controllers. So not only the motion sensor controls the lights, but the switches do too The way you tell which are controllers are if they are colored red, or not in the scene. If they are not colored red, delete them from the scene and re-add it. The dialogue box that pops up will offer you the opportunity to make it a controller as well as a responder. do that for both switches. You may not need an ISY program at all if this works. I think that should do it. If you are doing the above already, and still have pauses in the lights coming on, its a noise related problem

Thanks Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Based on the learnings in this thread, I need to rethink this program. It kills my sprinklers if enough rain falls during the 4 hour sprinkling cycle. On my way out, I reset both variables that I check in the 'if' to see if I need to do it at all... If $Sprinkling_Now is 1 And $Ok_to_Sprinkle is 0 Then Stop program 'Sprinklers - Normal Run' Set 'Yard / Sprinklers / Master Valves / EZ1 Master' Off Set 'Yard / Sprinklers / Zone 01' Off Set 'Yard / Sprinklers / Master Valves / EZ2 Master' Off Set 'Yard / Sprinklers / Zone 08' Off $Partial_Sprinkler_Cycle_avoided += 1 Send Notification to 'Default' content 'Sprinking Canceled In Flight' $Ok_to_Sprinkle = 1 $Sprinkling_Now = 0 Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') If enough rain falls during the 4 hour cycle, cancel the remainder Do you think the last variable assignment step gets run, or does the previous step kill it? If not, do you think moving those two steps to an inactive program, and calling it's 'then', instead of resetting the variables will work?

Hi Unfortunately not at this time. Michel did capture it as a feature request: http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14031-irrigation-module-measured-rain-input/ I would like to do that as well. Paul

I have gone through quirks from keypadlincs. One thing to try before restoring is using the airgap to 'reboot' it. Instead of pushing the plastic set paddle on the bottom, pull it out a little. Count to 10 and push it back in. That may stop the flickering if its confused. Test it again. My guess is you'll to "restore device" to get everything back.

You can talk to X10 devices without the module, but you can't name them... they would be A3, I5 etc... Not 'Patio Light'. I've gotten away with this approach due to the few and dwindling X10 devices on my system

There is some "you get what you pay for" involved. I started with X10. The oldest switches in my house are X10 brand. They still work x10 wise, but from a construction / operation point of view are showing their age. The decora style seem to suffer the most, and always had a cheap feel to them when operating them. I have one for the lights on my stairs; the signal seems to work all time when controlled, but it can take several presses to get it to register. It gets used every day, and I hear about it. I have keypad lincs to replace them soon. I would recommend against x10 for daily, high traffic areas. Having said that, its been a long time since I bought any x10 brand items, so others may have a more optimistic view on build quality. Another factor is how insteon affects X10 signalling. (as Brian pointed out) The more insteon you install, the more it impacts and reduces x10's signal ability to get around on your network. If the x10 switches are further away from the panel, or on a circuit with lots of insteon, they may not communicate 100%. Or over time, as you install more insteon, it might work less and less consistently. Or install devices like Brian discussed. Not a straight answer to your question, but I think you're going to find that the design and build of insteon, though not perfect, buys you something. One thing to look for is "refurb" sales at Smarthome. It means "open box return". I buy as much as I can that way.

Welcome Sandpiper- I moved from HomeSeer Connected via Hub to the ISY which is similar to what you are doing. I recommend the build from scratch method, asking the ISY to remove what links it finds. Steve assisted me with my migration which was great. You'll want to understand the impact to your operations, ISY is different than the hub and requires more learning. You can start simple with schedules and work your way up. I had 33 devices at the time. Using "remove links", that's about 2 hours to add devices and think though how to group them with the ISY's folders. Another 6 hours to define and thoroughly test all scenes (I have keypad links, those take time to configure), and then review it all again. If you have help with a walkie talkie, it should speed that up. If you use the hub's mobile apps or windows 8 app, you';ll need to think through how you replace the remote control aspect of the hub. There are some third party products here to try, however I don't know them. Also give yourself time to learn ISY' programming. Its great, I love it... and it takes time to work your way from simpler things to more complex things. One thing I think you will enjoy is the ISYs ability to send emails based on lights and thermostats, etc being on. Even though you're remote, you'll feel close to what's going on Good luck, I believe you will glad you switched over to ISY

The Hydreon RG-11 is a non-mechanical, optical rain sensor. Its reliable, rugged and unbreakable. Based on a post by jrainey,(See post #3) I bought and installed a Hydreon sensor to emulate Tipping Bucket and measure rainfall on my property directly. Like many, I was getting mixed results by counting on results from local net based WX. It was good, but observation said it could be a lot better. This tutorial is what's needed and how to install it. It ends with a sample program to calculate rainfall. What the Hydreon does It closes or opens (NO/NC) contacts in response to a certain amount of rain drops falling across its optics Each close represents a certain amount of rain fall: .01", .001" or .0001" (There's metric too) The clicks are intercepted by a contact module, IO Linc Those clicks can be counted up, calculated into rainfall and acted on by ISY Programs Hydreon Requirements 12 Volts to 30 Volts AC or DC A device to receive the contact clicks Open space to mount it My Parts list Hydreon RG-11 Insteon IO Linc 2450 Enercell 12vdc 300ma Adapter (Radio Shack 273-315)Plugs into IO Linc open outlet Strong 4 conductor project wire. I prefer Thermostat wire How to do it (See pictures and diagrams) Hydreon Set the dip switches for sensitivity. I used the default, .01" per closure Feed project wire through the nut on the bottom of the Hydreon Connect wire colors for power that will help you remember positive and negative The positive terminal is on the far right as you connect it The Normal Open (NO) and ground are on the left. Contacts don't care which wire hooks to which the IO linc Mount it, clean the hydreon, and string the wire to the IOlinc location IOLinc and Power Connect the to contact wires to IO linc's Sense and ground (see pic) Cut the Enercel cable to fit. The lead with the black stripe is negative Solder/Wire nut the connections from the power supply cable to the Hydreon cable ISY (See pic) Add the IO Linc if you haven't already and name it Mine is "Garage Hydreon Sensor" Click options and set up per pic The contact closure (NO/NC) of the IOLinc are not used for the Hydreon, they are available ISY Progam Here is a sample, it will let you see it in action. Based on the program counting up, you can set a variable and cancel your sprinkler routine If Status 'Yard / Sprinklers / Garage Hydreon Sensor' is On Then $Rain_Count += 1 Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') Results I've been getting good results with mine. I've been through 2 rainstorms and it seems to be close. I know exactly how much water I've been getting. My local WX stations are all over the place. My previous WX based weather saved money, but I could observe things not working right. Here are other things the Hydreon can do. It can perform a number of applications together with ISY: "It's Raining"-- Close a skylight at the first sign of rain, and open it when it stops raining. Condensation / Frost Sensing Wiper control Irrigation Control-- Turn off water if raining Drop Detection

Good point. They do run in a sequence on Ezflora #1, from 1 - 7, and then hop to Ezflora 2 for the rest. I can put a Set Off for Zone 7 when hopping over. Thanks

Thanks Lee, that is the kind of help i was looking for with the ezflora. My existing package on hs is spinkler controller brand/type 'agnostic', and provids a 5 second spread to cover the needs of a variety of controllers. This includes controllers that don't automatically shut running zones off when switching. In doing anual 'blow outs' of the system and testing / working on the system, i noticed that the ezflora seems to close the current non-master down before starting the next. Glad its ok to move from one zone to the next.

I'm working on sprinkler programs, wanted a sanity check, both on approach and handling of the EZflora. I want to have three programs that work together There will be a (1) sprinkler program to run all the zones for a cycle, It will have a time of day condition to start it, and 'enough rainfall' condition to prevent it from running Turn on a variable the sprinkler cycle is active turn zone one on wait x minutes turn zone one off wait 5 seconds turn zone two on ...... Turn off the sprinkler cycle variable There will be a (2) 'enough rainfall' program that will set a variable when enough rain has fallen. Possibly a companion program to turn it back off. I pretty much have this worked out. The issue is that the "enough rainfall" condition does come up during the 4 hour sprinkler cycle. If it does, the "enough rainfall" variable controlling the sprinkler program would become true. I would like the sprinkling to stop then. The final program is a (3) "Mid Cycle shutdown program" that is triggered on "Sprinkler Cycle" and "enough rainfall" becomes true. In this program, when true, I'm thinking: Stop (Sprinkler Program)' ... this will probably leave a zone running .. Shut off the master valve on both EZFloras, 5 second pause between. That will stop watering Step through all the non-master sprinkler valves and shut them off / known state. Leave 5 seconds between off commands. Index a Mid Cycle shut down counter to monitor effectiveness Thoughts, comments on this approach? Paul

Thanks Michel Wednesday was the poster child for this WX station struggle: In calibrating my new hydreon sensor yesterday, I logged and compared its readings to 6 local WeatherBug and WeatherUnderground stations. As it rained all day, it was a great sample. My mistake was thinking i could calibrate against other 'net weather stations. They were all within 5 miles of me, 4 within 2 miles. The total for the day spanned from 0.5" to 2.2" across those 6 WU/WB stations !!?? This rainstorm was massive and spanned my half of MI, there is not good explanation for that much variance. I'm going to calibrate against a plastic gauge. These 'net weather challenges are not new or unique to HA or UD alone. I would happily take heat, wind and other readings from Climate module, they have been close enough in WB over time. Paul Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I am working on programming my sprinklers with the ISY. One of my longer term challenges is getting local rain amount "just right". Having tried Weatherbug and WeatherUnderground, I get ok results, but not the results I am looking for. I just put into the hydreon sensor, and today's day long rain here in MI proves that it is working consistently and accurately once calibrated. My question is, can I calculate a rain value (whatever units are needed) as an input to the Irrigation module?

The trick is finding the most effective outlets to plugin them in. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

That was sold as benefit to my family. The reality is it has worked out that way. There is not a clear view to the driveway area, and the click lets you know something is going on. Even the dog gives a gruff when it clicks. The flip side is the kitchen table is between both relay keypads. We have a euchre group over and people sit there. I've never had comments to me / wife about it. You can hear it but is not a heavy "clunk" like supersockets or other x10 relays.

I have two relay KPLs, converted to 8 button with the A button load controlling outside yardlights. They work great on the ISY. Because they are higher up than appliancelincs, the slight "click" is a little more noticeable. 2 should fit in a standard 2 gang construction box.