How to turn on lights for certain amount of time

[eyost]

Hi all,

 

I just picked up an ISY so I am a newbie and while I have been able to program a schedule I was wondering what would be the best way to do something like this:

 

Turn on a specific light at a specific time, have it stay on for a specific amount of time then cut off. Then after a certain amount of hours turn on and then after a certain amount of hours turn on.

 

This is for lights when I am away to make it lived in.

 

Thanks for any help or resources that you could point me to to help with things like this.

Ed

[LeeG]

One approach.  Offers random On and Off times.

 

If

        From     7:00:00PM

        To      11:50:00PM (same day)

 

Then

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' On

        Wait  2 hours  (Random)

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' Off

        Wait  30 minutes  (Random)

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' On

        Wait  1 hour  (Random)

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' Off

 

Else

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' Off

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' Off

 

 

The program(s) can be as simple or sophisticated as desired.

[eyost]

 

One approach.  Offers random On and Off times.

 

If

        From     7:00:00PM

        To      11:50:00PM (same day)

 

Then

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' On

        Wait  2 hours  (Random)

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' Off

        Wait  30 minutes  (Random)

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' On

        Wait  1 hour  (Random)

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' Off

 

Else

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' Off

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' Off

 

 

The program(s) can be as simple or sophisticated as desired.

 

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Oh yes, I have seen some programs that are quite extensive. This definitely is something I am looking for.

 

Let's say that I wanted it to cut off at a specific time, wait and then turn on at a specific time and then turn off at a specific time. I know this wasn't what I was originally looking for, but curiosity has gotten to me.

 

Thanks again,

 

Ed

[stusviews]

Use additional programs, each with a different From and To time. Or add more lines/devices /delays to the Then part.

[LeeG]

For specific times remove the (random) option 

 

 

If

        From     7:00:00PM

        To      11:50:00PM (same day)

 

Then

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' On    (turns On at 7 PM)

        Wait  2 hours  

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' Off     (turns Off at 9 PM)

        Wait  30 minutes  

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' On     (turns On at 9:30 PM)

        Wait  1 hour  

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' Off      (turns Off at 10:30 PM)

 

Else

        Set 'ToggleLinc Dimmer' Off

        Set 'OutLetLinc Dimmer' Off

[oberkc]

I like to keep things simple.  Fewer programs are better (to me) than more programs.

 

if

time is from 6:00pm

to 7:00pm (same day)

or

time is from 8:00pm

to 9:00pm (same day)

or time is from 10:00

to 11:00pm (same day)

etc...

then

turn lights on

else

turn lights off

 

Obviously, adjust times to suit.

[larryllix]

I like to keep things simple.  Fewer programs are better (to me) than more programs.

 

if

time is from 6:00pm

to 7:00pm (same day)

or

time is from 8:00pm

to 9:00pm (same day)

or time is from 10:00

to 11:00pm (same day)

etc...

then

turn lights on

else

turn lights off

 

Obviously, adjust times to suit.

Nice. Keep in mind the "off" times should not overlap with the other light cycles or you may get unexpected "Off" times. This can be a gottcha' for random time®s especially.

[oberkc]

Keep in mind the "off" times should not overlap with the other light cycles or you may get unexpected "Off" times. This can be a gottcha' for random time®s especially.

 

Yup.  On the other hand, if you wanted random, unexpected can be good at times.

 

Alternatively, you could make these times relative to darkness or sunset if lights coming on at EXACTLY the same time every day is too obvious to the would-be intruder.

[eyost]

Wow, this is all awesome and will give these a go. I have upgraded from a SmartLinc that had some limitations in this regard; Had to have a scene for each on and another for the off. Aside from the SmartLinc starting to die on me, I wanted to get something that would keep it simple not to mention give a lot of flexibility and the ISY sure will do that!

 

Oh and hi Stu - I have corresponded with you on the Insteon Forum at SmartHome and you have always been very helpful.

 

Thanks all!

 

Ed

[eyost]

I like to keep things simple.  Fewer programs are better (to me) than more programs.

 

if

time is from 6:00pm

to 7:00pm (same day)

or

time is from 8:00pm

to 9:00pm (same day)

or time is from 10:00

to 11:00pm (same day)

etc...

then

turn lights on

else

turn lights off

 

Obviously, adjust times to suit.

 

Thanks,

 

I assume if I wanted the lights to go on and off through the next morning I could do something like this:

 

If

        From     7:30:00PM

        To       3:00:00AM (next day)

 

Then

        Set 'Bonus Room' On

        Wait  1 hour and 30 minutes  (Random)

        Set 'Bonus Room' Off

        Wait  30 minutes  (Random)

        Set 'Bonus Room' On

        Wait  2 hours and 30 minutes  (Random)

        Set 'Bonus Room' Off

 

Else

        Set 'Bonus Room' Off

 

Thanks, I may be getting the idea on this.

 

Ed

[oberkc]

Sure, that would work.  I would have to check how "random" works (I think it can be any amount of time up to the specified time), but it appears that the ELSE path will be well complete before 3:00am (longest elapsed time is 4-1/2 hours, starting at 7:30).  If so, the ELSE path is not necessary unless you are concerned about something not shutting off.

[stusviews]

You can also wait for a period plus or minus a random time, for example:

 

Wait 5 minutes (Random)

Wait 30minutes

Set ...