linking, buttons, controllers, dimmers... how do they relate

[Jay M]

I am not only new to the ISY99, I am also new to Insteon.

 

I understand that if you want a button on a keypad to control a light, you simply push and hold the button for 10 seconds, the the light for 3 seconds or so. The button will now control the light.

 

When you have an ISY I think something is different. But I can't figure out what??

 

Am I NOT supposed to link a button to a dimmer as I described above?

 

Here is one example:

In the living room-

IR remote is used to call up different scenes

RF remote is used to control individual lights

Keypad is is used to do both.

 

Does all this need to be programmed in the ISY for it all to work?

 

What happens if the ISY fails? Will I lose keypad and RF control?

 

thanks,

~Jay

[Sub-Routine]

When you include the ISY in the scene then the ISY is notified whenever the scene changes. If the ISY is not included in the scene the device levels may be incorrect when viewed in the ISY interface.

 

When you use the ISY to create the scenes it is automatically included. And it much easier than tap-tapping, especially when setting levels and ramp rates.

 

Yes, it should be all programmed though the ISY.

 

Unless you are using ISY programs to interpret specific key presses once you create the scene using the ISY the ISY is redundant. The KeypadLincs and RemoteLincs will function without interruption.

 

Rand

[MikeB]

Like Rand said.

 

When you have an ISY I think something is different. But I can't figure out what??

 

When you have an ISY, you no longer need to run around tap-linking everything - you program your devices through the ISY. To start simple, let's use your example of a KeypadLinc controlling a LampLinc. Normally you'd press the KeypadLinc button for 10 seconds then the LampLinc button for 3 like you said. To duplicate this through the ISY, you would simply create a scene called "Lamp" (or whatever) and drag both the KeypadLinc and LampLinc into the scene.

 

In this example, we might only save a few seconds by using the ISY, but with more complex scenes you can save hours of time. For example, say we need to cross-link 3 SwitchLincs together. To keep them all in sync, by hand, you'd have to use the 10/3 method to link:

 

switch 1 to switch 2

switch 1 to switch 3

switch 2 to switch 1

switch 2 to switch 3

switch 3 to switch 1

switch 3 to switch 2

 

Imagine if you wanted to cross-link 4 or more devices? It's a major pain. With the ISY you simply create a scene and drag all the devices into the scene and the ISY does the rest.

 

Anything programmed in this method is saved directly to the devices. You could unplug your ISY and these scenes would still operate. When you own an ISY, it's important to link EVERYTHING through the ISY and not manually. Otherwise, the ISY will not be aware of everything in your system.

 

Here is one example:

In the living room-

IR remote is used to call up different scenes

RF remote is used to control individual lights

Keypad is is used to do both.

 

Do you own an IRLinc, or are you using the IR interface in the ISY? If you own an IRLinc, you would create a scene, drag the IRLinc button, drag the RemoteLinc button, drag the KPL button, and drag all the lighting devices all into the scene. The IRLinc, RemoteLinc, and KeypadLinc buttons would all be controllers, and the lighting devices would all be responders. Like I mentioned above, once programmed, this would all operate independently of the ISY.

 

If you are using the IR interface on the ISY, you'd program a scene like I mentioned above (but without the IRLinc device). You'd then create a program on the ISY saying to activate this scene once a specific IR command is received. The scene would still operate independently of the ISY, except of course for the IR part since you are using the IR interface on the ISY itself.

 

 

Does all this need to be programmed in the ISY for it all to work?

 

Yes, it absolutely should be, and one of the reasons you bought the ISY was so you don't have to run around tap-linking everything.

 

 

What happens if the ISY fails? Will I lose keypad and RF control?

 

Only programs that you've written would fail to run. Any 'scenes' you have created would still operate.

[Jay M]

thanks! That is a huge help. I'll need to redo a few things.

 

One thing I can't figure out-

How do I assign a button on a keypad to activate a scene? I have been using a program.

 

~Jay

[MikeB]

One thing I can't figure out-

How do I assign a button on a keypad to activate a scene? I have been using a program.

 

Simply drag the KeypadLinc button into the scene, and make sure to set it as a "Controller".

[Jay M]

thanks for the quick reply!

 

I am using an Remotelinc, and I created a scene with one light. I dragged both the light and the button from the Remotelinc to the scene.

 

It works, but is missing some functionality. When I press and hold up or down it will dim or brighten. But it dies not push once for on or off, and double push for fast on or off doesn't work.

 

Is it possible to do this?

 

thanks,

~Jay

[MikeB]

I am using an Remotelinc, and I created a scene with one light. I dragged both the light and the button from the Remotelinc to the scene.

 

It works, but is missing some functionality. When I press and hold up or down it will dim or brighten. But it dies not push once for on or off, and double push for fast on or off doesn't work.

 

Yes, absolutely. That should be working by default - there's nothing special you should have to do. I'm not 100% certain about the FAST ON/FAST OFF, but I'm pretty sure that's supported with the RemoteLinc.

 

Did you put the RemoteLinc into programming mode as instructed by the ISY? I know I've seen this problem posted before, but I don't recall what the solution is.

 

You might want to simply remove the RemoteLinc button from the scene and try again, or maybe someone else who has seen this issue will chime in.

 

Good luck!

[Jay M]

I'm working with a Keypadlinc now. I am trying to pre-program some inline dimmers and relays for the electrician tomorrow.

 

I have them rigged up using an old extension cord and a light.

 

I removed and re-added the keypadlinc.

I then added the dimmers and relays one a a time.

 

I then created a scene called "Flood Lights" which includes the Flood light inline dimmer and Button "E" from the keypadlinc.

 

The will turn on and off with the button, it will brighten or dim if I hold it, but it will not turn on at the level and ramp rate I specify.

 

How can I make this work?

 

Thanks,

~Jay

[Jay M]

Never mind... I found it

 

For other newbies- It's under the button attributes in the scene.

 

~Jay

[MikeB]

Glad you found it. Yes, you can set different on levels and ramp ratest for the scene itself (when triggered from the ISY), and also for EACH controller within the scene.

[Jay M]

If I understand this correctly...

 

If I use the button on the keypadlinc, my only option is the ramp rate that button in the scene is set at?

 

Is that because the ISY isn't doing anything?

 

But if I use a program, then the ISY will directly address each controller and apply specific ramp rates?

 

thanks,

~Jay

[Algorithm]

Hi Jay,

 

Our wiki article Working With Scenes should clear up all confusion regarding scenes, on-levels, and ramp-rates.

[Sub-Routine]

One thing you should know Jay, the ONLY way to use a specific ramp rate is to create a scene that specifies the rate.

 

Direct On/Off commands are supposed to use the local rate, but my experience is that the last rate the dimmer used is used. If you call a scene that uses a long ramp rate to turn a lamp on, then send an Off using the ISY the lamp will use the long rate and NOT the local rate.

 

Rand

[MikeB]

If I use the button on the keypadlinc, my only option is the ramp rate that button in the scene is set at?

 

Is that because the ISY isn't doing anything?

 

But if I use a program, then the ISY will directly address each controller and apply specific ramp rates?

 

Yes. Think of the ISY as another controller, equal to your KPL button. You can apply different on-levels and ramp rates to the scene for EACH controller, including the ISY itself. Or, you can make them all the same - it's up to you.