trying to create "flasher" programs

[groovejumper]

Think "end of intermission at a play" - the lights dim and come up a few times to let folks know that intermission's almost over.

 

I have a few applications for this, like calling kids from their rooms for Supper. I'm trying to create programs that will check to see if a specific light fixture's on (indicating that someone's in the room, awake, and doing something). If it is, I'd like to do a quick dim/ramp 2 or 3 times, leaving it at the previous level (or at least the normal on-level).

 

If the light is already off, nothing should happen, as I don't want to have wasteful ons/offs, and don't want to wake people up who are sleeping.

 

Here's an example of what I have:

 

If

Status 'Basement' is not Off

Then

Set Scene 'Basement Scene' Off

Set Scene 'Basement Scene' On

Set Scene 'Basement Scene' Off

Set Scene 'Basement Scene' On

 

The problem is that after the first flash (off, on), the program is triggered again and things get ugly (loop).

 

Any thoughts on how to approach this better?

 

g.

[MikeB]

Create a 2nd program with no IF statement to flash the lights on/off. Call that 2nd program from the 1st program.

[groovejumper]

Create a 2nd program with no IF statement to flash the lights on/off. Call that 2nd program from the 1st program.

 

I thought of that (but didn't try it) - when the 2nd proggy turns the lights on, would it not then trigger the 1st program again?

 

g.

[MikeB]

I thought of that (but didn't try it) - when the 2nd proggy turns the lights on, would it not then trigger the 1st program again?

 

Good point, I'm not sure. I'll let someone else (who might have tried something similar) answer.

[groovejumper]

I went ahead and tried it, unfortunately the same thing happens:

 

"Hallway Flasher A"

If

Status 'Hallway KPL 2 A' is not Off

Then

Run Program 'Hallway Flasher B' (Then Path)

 

"Hallway Flasher B"

Set Scene 'Hallway Scene' Off

Set Scene 'Hallway Scene' On

Set Scene 'Hallway Scene' Off

Set Scene 'Hallway Scene' On

 

Results in an endless loop, the lights flash forever (until I manage to disable the program).

 

g.

[MikeB]

But, isn't there another trigger involved? How are you activating this program? By a KPL button? If so, I don't see why it wouldnt work - event without the second program.

 

Say you have a KPL button (non-toggle off) in the master bedroom that you press to flash the kids lights 5 minutes before bed:

 

If
       Control 'MasterBedControls1F' is switched Off
   And Status  'KidsRoom1' is On

Then
       Set 'KidsRoomScene' Off
       Set 'KidsRoomScene' On
       Set 'KidsRoomScene' Off
       Set 'KidsRoomScene' On
       Wait 5 Minutes
       Set 'KidsRoomScene' Off

 

Or am I missing something?

 

What else are you using for a trigger other than checkng to see if the room is on?

[groovejumper]

I suppose I should just finish my programming - I was attempting to test the scene off/scene on/scene off/scene on with the existing ramp rates to see if the effect came out right.

 

So I actually hadn't put in the other trigger yet (KPL button as you surmized), rather I just had the single trigger and was running the program from the admin console.

 

Doh!

 

g.