Beginner programming questions

[PittCaleb]

I am new to Home Automation. I bought a handful of switches and a PLM which I used with HouseLinc for a few weeks to learn what I can and can not do. Late last week, I finally got an ISY 994i. As of now, I have all my switches seen and have started to do some programming. But it's not working the way I expect. I am sure a quick pointer will sort this out for me. Thanks in advance for your help:

 

Issue #1:

6-button controller - the "on" button is set to turn on 3 different devices. That works fine.

In Houselinc, I was able to program the "off" button separately. When I press the off button, I want it to turn off more than these 3 lights. I want it to also turn off the dining room light. Don't see how to set a different set for the 'off' button specifically.

 

Issue #2:

 

I have 2 scenes - "movie" and "pathway". Movie should turn off the kitchen & dining room, and set the family room to 10%; Pathway should set all lights (5 different ones) to 10% (a pathway from the family room to my master bedroom). This is what the Pathway scene looks like: http://screencast.com/t/79T5LoVoUPuC

 

When the Pathway Button is pressed, all the lights turn on to 100%. Should I be selecting each individual light in the scene and be setting it individually? If so, what is the purpose then of the screen shot I attached?

 

Issue #3:

 

In Houselink, I could set up scenes (programs perhaps) to be activated when a button is double-tapped. I don't see how I can do that right quick on the ISY. I am sure it's possible, just haven't seen it yet. I had been using that as an "all off" when leaving the house - double-tap off and every Insteon light in the house is turned off. Pointers?

 

Have other issues, hopefully I'll figure them out in short enough time. Thanks in advance for help with the above.

 

Caleb

[PurdueGuy]

I am new to Home Automation. I bought a handful of switches and a PLM which I used with HouseLinc for a few weeks to learn what I can and can not do. Late last week, I finally got an ISY 994i. As of now, I have all my switches seen and have started to do some programming. But it's not working the way I expect. I am sure a quick pointer will sort this out for me. Thanks in advance for your help:

 

Issue #1:

6-button controller - the "on" button is set to turn on 3 different devices. That works fine.

In Houselinc, I was able to program the "off" button separately. When I press the off button, I want it to turn off more than these 3 lights. I want it to also turn off the dining room light. Don't see how to set a different set for the 'off' button specifically.

Create a scene do do what you want, and set levels accordingly. Then create a program similar to the following:

If
       Control 'DeviceA' is switched Off

Then
       Set Scene 'SceneX' Off

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

 

 

Issue #2:

 

I have 2 scenes - "movie" and "pathway". Movie should turn off the kitchen & dining room, and set the family room to 10%; Pathway should set all lights (5 different ones) to 10% (a pathway from the family room to my master bedroom). This is what the Pathway scene looks like: http://screencast.com/t/79T5LoVoUPuC

 

When the Pathway Button is pressed, all the lights turn on to 100%. Should I be selecting each individual light in the scene and be setting it individually? If so, what is the purpose then of the screen shot I attached?

The screen you have shown is how the scene is configured when you control it from ISY admin console or programs. On the left, 6 below what you select, click "Pathway" in red. Then click "Copy scene attributes from Pathway" button. ISY allows different controllers to have different levels. You probably have everything set to 100% when controlled from "Pathway" controller.

 

 

Issue #3:

 

In Houselink, I could set up scenes (programs perhaps) to be activated when a button is double-tapped. I don't see how I can do that right quick on the ISY. I am sure it's possible, just haven't seen it yet. I had been using that as an "all off" when leaving the house - double-tap off and every Insteon light in the house is turned off. Pointers?

 

Have other issues, hopefully I'll figure them out in short enough time. Thanks in advance for help with the above.

 

Caleb

Nearly the same as above. Create a scene in ISY that defines how you want each device. Then create a program such as:

If
       Control 'DeviceB' is switched Fast Off

Then
       Set Scene 'SceneY' Off

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

[Brian H]

You should not have any manual or Houselinc created links in any of your modules.

Best to start with a Factory Reset of all modules and let the ISY994i do everything.

Left over links will eventually cause headaches.

[PittCaleb]

Just a quick update - I did start some programming and they're mostly working, but I haven't tried the "pathway" one yet. The "off" now does turn off multiple different lights.

 

I will google, but "fast off" is what I learned as the double-tap off then? Nice to know.

 

Regarding factory resetting - great point. As I switched over from the HouseLinc to ISY Controller, I did perform a factory reset on all devices. Glad I was on top of one thing in this mess that I've created for myself

 

Caleb

[PurdueGuy]

I will google, but "fast off" is what I learned as the double-tap off then? Nice to know.

Correct.

Double-tap on = Fast On

Double-tap off = Fast Off