making lights MORE difficult - great for kids

[MikeB]

Lighting controls are supposed to make life a bit EASIER, but for kids sometimes a bit tougher is more fun. Kids seem to enjoy things that THEY know how to do, but not others.

 

I setup a KeypadLinc that, using my ISY, will turn on different lamps based on the combination of different buttons that are lit. So, turn buttons C and H on, and Lamp1 goes on. Turn one or both buttons off, and Lamp1 turns off. Turn buttons B and G on, and Lamp2 goes on. Turn one or both buttons off, and Lamp2 turns off.

 

Here's a video demonstrating what I did:

 

Maybe not very useful in most areas of the home, but fun for the kids room.

 

There is a second or so delay before the lamps typically react because these are not direct links between the KeypadLinc and lamp modules - there is a program on my ISY that watches for these conditions and turns on/off the lamps.

 

Though this can be done with other automation controllers/software I'm sure, I'm doing it on my ISY. Below are the 2 programs I'm using:

 

LAMP1

If
       Status  'KeypadC' is On
   And Status  'KeypadH' is On
   And Status  'KeypadC' is not Off
   And Status  'KeypadH' is not Off

Then
       Set 'Lamp1' On

Else
       Set 'Lamp1' Off

 

 

LAMP2

 

If
       Status  'KeypadB' is On
   And Status  'KeypadG' is On
   And Status  'KeypadB' is not Off
   And Status  'KeypadG' is not Off

Then
       Set 'Lamp2' On

Else
       Set 'Lamp2' Off

[Sub-Routine]

That's cool! You could make all sorts of combinations

 

You might need another ISY just for that keypad

 

Rand

[MikeB]

Yeah no kidding. My 8 year old loves his bedside keypad for his lamps around his room. I tried 3-button combinations, but ended up feeling like 2-button was more reliable.