ISY Thermostat Programming Help requested

[JSP0511]

Hello everyone,

 

I am finally getting around to programming the thermostat. We only have it hooked up for heat so no rush since I am here in NY during a hear wave. I'd like to get my programming setup so when winter does come, I can just set the heat to "On" and let the programs take over.

 

I plan to manually turn on the heat setting in the thermostat and according to how I think I have my programs set, that will trigger them to activate. Please see my programs below and offer any suggestions or changes you think I should make. I am not sure how to paste the program in an image easily so I used the "Copy to Clipboard".

 

Week Day-

If

On Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

From 7:01:00AM

To 3:30:00PM (same day)

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Heat Ctl' is On

 

Then

Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 57° (Heat Setpoint)

 

Else

- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

 

Week Evening-

If

On Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

From 3:31:00PM

To 11:00:00PM (same day)

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Heat Ctl' is On

 

Then

Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 67° (Heat Setpoint)

 

Else

- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Week Sleep-

If

On Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

From 11:01:00PM

To 5:00:00AM (next day)

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Heat Ctl' is On

 

Then

Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 62° (Heat Setpoint)

 

Else

- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

 

Week Wake Up-

If

On Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri

From 5:01:00AM

To 7:00:00AM (same day)

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Heat Ctl' is On

 

Then

Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 67° (Heat Setpoint)

 

Else

- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

 

Weekend Day-

If

On Sat, Sun

From 7:01:00AM

To 3:30:00PM (same day)

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Heat Ctl' is On

 

Then

Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 65° (Heat Setpoint)

 

Else

- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

 

Weekend Evening-

If

On Sat, Sun

From 3:31:00PM

To 11:00:00PM (same day)

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Heat Ctl' is On

 

Then

Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 67° (Heat Setpoint)

 

Else

- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

 

Weekend Sleep-

If

On Sat, Sun

From 11:01:00PM

To 7:00:00AM (next day)

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Heat Ctl' is On

 

Then

Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 63° (Heat Setpoint)

 

Else

- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

[LeeG]

The Heat Ctl node indicates the thermostat has called for heat, not that it is in Heat Mode. Check the thermostat main node for a Status of Mode Heat to determine the thermostat has been put into Heat mode.

[JSP0511]

So it should read:

 

If

 

And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' is Mode Heat

 

?

[LeeG]

Yes

[JSP0511]

Thank you Lee. I am also going to set up an eight button Keypadlinc where one of the buttons is set to run an "Away" program. I'd like to be able to either press the button on the way out of the house or run it from my phone if need be.

 

I'd want something like:

 

Turn on Foyer light to 60% 1 hour after sundown

Set thermostat to 62 degrees (and hold until "Away" is turned off, ignoring normal thermostat program)

Randomly turn on and off "Study" light

 

Once I turn the program off, I'd like the thermostat to return to whatever the settings should be at the time the program is stopped (revert to regular program). Also, if i turn the "Away" program on at lets say 10am and I do not return until 11pm, is there anyway to tell the ISY not to let the regular thermostat program to change my "Away" program? At 3:30pm or so, the regular thermostat program calls for 67 degrees.

 

If possible, I would be ok with the Foyer light staying on, but the random light turning off at time of "Away" deactivation.

 

Any thoughts on how I can go about setting this up?

[Xathros]

Thank you Lee. I am also going to set up an eight button Keypadlinc where one of the buttons is set to run an "Away" program. I'd like to be able to either press the button on the way out of the house or run it from my phone if need be.

 

I'd want something like:

 

Turn on Foyer light to 60% 1 hour after sundown

Set thermostat to 62 degrees (and hold until "Away" is turned off, ignoring normal thermostat program)

Randomly turn on and off "Study" light

 

Once I turn the program off, I'd like the thermostat to return to whatever the settings should be at the time the program is stopped (revert to regular program). Also, if i turn the "Away" program on at lets say 10am and I do not return until 11pm, is there anyway to tell the ISY not to let the regular thermostat program to change my "Away" program? At 3:30pm or so, the regular thermostat program calls for 67 degrees.

 

If possible, I would be ok with the Foyer light staying on, but the random light turning off at time of "Away" deactivation.

 

Any thoughts on how I can go about setting this up?

 

Using one of your programs as a basis - modify the rest as follows:

 

Week Day-

If
On Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
From 7:01:00AM
To 3:30:00PM (same day)
And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' is Mode Heat
And Status KPL-G is Off

Then
Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 57° (Heat Setpoint)

Else
- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Then add some away programs:

 

Away-Thermostat-

If
Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' is Mode Heat
And Status KPL-G is On

Then
Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 62° (Heat Setpoint)

Else
- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Away-Lighting:

If
Status KPL-G is On
And Time is From Sunset +1 hour
To Sunrise -1 hour (Next Day)

Then
Set scene Foyer Light On

Else
Set Scene Foyer Light Off

 

-Xathros

[JSP0511]

Thank you Lee. I am going to get that keypad linc installed and start messing with it.

 

From what you said, it seems as though I will have duplicates of each thermostat program with the differences being that one is on with the KPL at one temp, the other is on with KPL off at another temp.

 

THey could be labeled:

 

Week Day KPL On

 

Week Day KPL Off

[LeeG]

JSP0511

 

It was Xathros that provided the last round of information. He is very good with Programming (and many other things).

[JSP0511]

Ah Xathros sneaked in there. Thank you both for your assistance with this. I am trying to finally get into the programming functions of the ISY. I have a few simple ones like light on at a certain time and garage left open text message but nothing with multiple things going on.

[Xathros]

Thanks for the complement Lee!

 

JSP0511-

 

It sounded to me like you wanted your thermostat to be at 62 for the duration of the "Away mode". If that is the case, then you will only need one extra program (as I posted above) to handle the stat while your away. If you want multiple timed set points while away, then that may require more programs. You can either build those programs to include the status of the "Away" KPL button as I did or you can create 2 program folders (One for away and the other for home) and set folder conditions based on the KPL button status ("If Status KPL-G is On" for the Away folder and "If Status KPL-G is Off" for the Home folder). The second approach (folders) may be cleaner if you are going to have a bunch of different setpoints / times of day while in away mode. Either approach will net the same functional results.

 

-Xathros

[JSP0511]

Xathros,

 

You were correct in your initial post. When away (most likely at some point during the normal evening setting of the thermostat), we would select the KPL button on the way out and want the thermostat at 62, always. When we are away for work, the thermostat programming already takes that into consideration, same for Sleep.

 

When we return, let's say at 9pm where the thermostat would normally be at 67 and we turn off the KPL (turn off away mode), will the thermostat revert back to the normal programming (67) or will it stay at 62 until the next program kicks in ("Sleep" at 63 at 11pm)

[Xathros]

Xathros,

 

You were correct in your initial post. When away (most likely at some point during the normal evening setting of the thermostat), we would select the KPL button on the way out and want the thermostat at 62, always. When we are away for work, the thermostat programming already takes that into consideration, same for Sleep.

 

When we return, let's say at 9pm where the thermostat would normally be at 67 and we turn off the KPL (turn off away mode), will the thermostat revert back to the normal programming (67) or will it stay at 62 until the next program kicks in ("Sleep" at 63 at 11pm)

 

Yes! As long as all of your thermostat programs include a From-to time range AND the KPL-Button status in the If section. What happens when you toggle the KPL button On or Off is every enabled program that includes the status of that button in it's IF section is triggered and evaluated. When turning off the KPL-G "Away" button, the single Thermostat-Away program is triggered and runs false (else) since the button is now off. All of the other Home Thermostat programs trigger most run false because you are outside of their time range and one will run true because you are inside it's time range AND KPL-G is Off.

 

It is important to note based on you above comments that while the Away mode button is on, the Stat will stay set at 62 for however long the button is on-. Hours, Days ... Years, does not matter. The other (home) programs will still trigger at their start and end times but will all run false until the KPL button is turned off.

 

I do something similar but my house has three modes: Occupied, Vacant and Away. Occupied = Your Home mode. Vacant I suspect = your Away and Away for me means for an extended period (Vacation, weekend away etc). Vacant locks my doors, sets back HVAC to moderate levels, enables security cams. Away sets back the HVAC further (keep pipes from freezing/fish from boiling), locks doors, enables security cams AND runs some randomized lighting to simulate occupancy during the evening/night. My Occupancy/Vacant status is automated - Away is set via program from my iPhone.

 

 

-Xathros

[JSP0511]

Xathros,

 

You were correct in your initial post. When away (most likely at some point during the normal evening setting of the thermostat), we would select the KPL button on the way out and want the thermostat at 62, always. When we are away for work, the thermostat programming already takes that into consideration, same for Sleep.

 

When we return, let's say at 9pm where the thermostat would normally be at 67 and we turn off the KPL (turn off away mode), will the thermostat revert back to the normal programming (67) or will it stay at 62 until the next program kicks in ("Sleep" at 63 at 11pm)

 

Yes! As long as all of your thermostat programs include a From-to time range AND the KPL-Button status in the If section. What happens when you toggle the KPL button On or Off is every enabled program that includes the status of that button in it's IF section is triggered and evaluated. When turning off the KPL-G "Away" button, the single Thermostat-Away program is triggered and runs false (else) since the button is now off. All of the other Home Thermostat programs trigger most run false because you are outside of their time range and one will run true because you are inside it's time range AND KPL-G is Off.

 

It is important to note based on you above comments that while the Away mode button is on, the Stat will stay set at 62 for however long the button is on-. Hours, Days ... Years, does not matter. The other (home) programs will still trigger at their start and end times but will all run false until the KPL button is turned off.

 

I do something similar but my house has three modes: Occupied, Vacant and Away. Occupied = Your Home mode. Vacant I suspect = your Away and Away for me means for an extended period (Vacation, weekend away etc). Vacant locks my doors, sets back HVAC to moderate levels, enables security cams. Away sets back the HVAC further (keep pipes from freezing/fish from boiling), locks doors, enables security cams AND runs some randomized lighting to simulate occupancy during the evening/night. My Occupancy/Vacant status is automated - Away is set via program from my iPhone.

 

 

-Xathros

 

 

Understood. So in all of my regular stat programs, I will add the "And Status KPL-G is Off" to each one with the away mode including "And Status KPL-G is On" and the temp setting we want.

[Xathros]

Exactly!

 

-Xath

[JSP0511]

I went ahead and applied the "If" to the Thermostat folder which includes all of my normal operation temp requests since "FKPL B is off" would have to be true for any of them to take effect.

 

Folder Conditions for 'Thermostats'
Add conditions to limit when programs in this folder are allowed to run.



If
       Status  'Main Floor / Away Mode- FKPL B' is Off

Then
  Allow the programs in this folder to run.

 

I then created the "Away" program and put it in it's own Away folder:

If
       Status  'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' is Mode Heat
   And Control 'Main Floor / Away Mode- FKPL B' is switched On

Then
       Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 62° (Heat Setpoint)

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

 

This is just one of the regular tstat settings:

"Week Day"

If
       On Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
       From     7:01:00AM
       To       3:30:00PM (same day)
   And Status  'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' is Mode Heat

Then
       Set Scene 'Scenes / Tstat (Work)' On

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

I haven't tested any of this since temps here in NY have been hovering in the 90's though I'm assuming this should all work as planned.

 

Any adjustments necessary?

[Xathros]

I think you still need the "FKPL B is Off" in the programs too. Having it in the folder only will enable the programs when the Buttons turns off but won't trigger them. What this means is the Setpoint wont change when you turn the button off until the next timeframe trigger. Including the KPL test i the programs will Enable the folder and trigger the programs when the button is turned off.

 

In this case, it probably makes more sense to remove the folder condition unless you plan to have other Home only programs in there.

 

-Xathros

[JSP0511]

I understand! I'll just add it to each program and remove it from the folder.

[JSP0511]

Question:

 

If i use Control is On or Status is 100%...does that do the same thing essentially, in this case?

 

There is no Status "On" option in the drop down. Although, there is an "Off" in the Status drop down.

[Xathros]

The difference between Control and Status is that Status will trigger anytime the Status of a device changes (On, Off, Brighten, Dim, Main Mode Heat, Cool etc) by either changing it at the device or via scene or program or linked device. Control on the other hand will only trigger when the device itself is manually controlled (KPL Button presses, Switchlink Paddle presses, Trigerlinc triggered by door opening). If you turn o a device with a scene or linked device, the target device does NOT generate a control message.

 

 

Status=100% is the same as Status=On. This was changed not too long ago to avoid confusion with dimmer type devices. Before a dimmer at 50% would not be "On" in a status test. Only 100% would = Status On. Removing the On from the status test forces us to specify the onlevel and avoids that confusion.

 

 

-Xathros

[JSP0511]

you da man

[Xathros]

Some additional thoughts on Status Vs Control:

 

Battery powered Controller Only Devices (TriggerLinc, MotionSensor, RemoteLinc etc) don't really have statuses as they are not queryable. Their status is assumed by the ISY based on the last Control event received from them. As a result, the ISY will show the status of these as blank until a control event is received from them.

 

Responder only devices (IOLinc Relay Node, Appliancelinc, possibly the Outletlinc) CANNOT generate Control events as they are not controllers.

 

-Xathros

[JSP0511]

Thank you Lee. I am also going to set up an eight button Keypadlinc where one of the buttons is set to run an "Away" program. I'd like to be able to either press the button on the way out of the house or run it from my phone if need be.

 

I'd want something like:

 

Turn on Foyer light to 60% 1 hour after sundown

Set thermostat to 62 degrees (and hold until "Away" is turned off, ignoring normal thermostat program)

Randomly turn on and off "Study" light

 

Once I turn the program off, I'd like the thermostat to return to whatever the settings should be at the time the program is stopped (revert to regular program). Also, if i turn the "Away" program on at lets say 10am and I do not return until 11pm, is there anyway to tell the ISY not to let the regular thermostat program to change my "Away" program? At 3:30pm or so, the regular thermostat program calls for 67 degrees.

 

If possible, I would be ok with the Foyer light staying on, but the random light turning off at time of "Away" deactivation.

 

Any thoughts on how I can go about setting this up?

 

Using one of your programs as a basis - modify the rest as follows:

 

Week Day-

If
On Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
From 7:01:00AM
To 3:30:00PM (same day)
And Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' is Mode Heat
And Status KPL-G is Off

Then
Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 57° (Heat Setpoint)

Else
- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Then add some away programs:

 

Away-Thermostat-

If
Status 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' is Mode Heat
And Status KPL-G is On

Then
Set 'Main Floor / Thermostat / Thermostat - Main' 62° (Heat Setpoint)

Else
- No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

Away-Lighting:

If
Status KPL-G is On
And Time is From Sunset +1 hour
To Sunrise -1 hour (Next Day)

Then
Set scene Foyer Light On

Else
Set Scene Foyer Light Off

 

-Xathros

 

Xathros,

 

Now that I have my "Away" mode set up, we were able to use it this weekend while we were out. Of course we forgot to turn it off and while I was out again (wife was home) I wanted to turn the away mode off using Mobilinc but I could not. I could not seem to change the status of my KPL button, I could only view it and since the Away mode is a mix of various programs I could not seem to press one button on Mobilinc as if I were standing at the KPL.

 

Thoughts?

[LeeG]

Secondary KeypadLinc buttons cannot be acted upon directly. There is no Insteon command available to turn On/Off a Secondary KeypadLinc button. Define a Scene, assign the KeypadLinc Secondary button as a Responder. Turn the Scene On/Off from MobiLinc.

 

Programs that trigger with an If Status 'kplbutton' is On should trigger fine. Programs that trigger with If Control 'kplbutton' is switched On' will NOT trigger.

[JSP0511]

KeypadLinc Secondary buttons cannot be acted upon directly. There is no Insteon command available to turn On/Off a Secondary KeypadLinc button. Define a Scene, assign the KeypadLinc Secondary button as a Responder. Turn the Scene On/Off from MobiLinc.

 

Thanks Lee!

[mountainman3520]

Hello, I am doing some similar automations and ended up with a slightly different twist. I also have multiple house states, such as home and away, summer and winter, etc. But there are multiple potential controls that could affect the current house state, and many potential programs that are affected by the state. So I used a set of variables to define all my states instead of using particular insteon devices as the state. Various controls or events change the variables, for example a keypad button. And then all my programs refer to the variables.

The programs effectively work the same way but I think this approach is more flexible and potentially makes programs more simple to write, read, and maintain.

But I've only been programming the isy for a few months so its possible I'm overlooking some downside of using variables. Feedback from the seasoned experts welcomed.