Venstar T5800 and WiFi

[Techman]

I recently picked up a Venstar T5800 and would like to integrate it with the ISY. I don't yet have the Wi-Fi module for the stat but wondered if it's possible to use Wi-Fi without having to connect to their cloud service. I do have the ISY network module installed.

My understanding is that once the Wi-Fi module is connected to he stat it will continue to nag you to connect and register with their cloud service.  If the local API option on the stat is enabled does the prompt go away?

[paulbates]

Hi Techman. 

Yes, when you install the skyport wifi module there are two independent wifi options:

• Local API for REST calls
• Skyport cloud

They are set on the accessories menu that will appear once the card is plugged in. You can turn either, or both of them, on or off. I was never asked about signing up for the skyport service. I use it, but a couple of times shut it off. My guess is that if you turn skyport off, you will not hear about it.

 

You can use the ISY to send commands to the T5800, if you search for T5800 or T5900 on the board, there are several good examples.

 

io_guys venlink is a great option as well if you have a windows workstation or linux box to run it on. It gives two communication with ISY variables and a lot of power. Its small .net code and can run on anything.

 

Paul

 

 

[Techman]

Paul, thank you for the info. I don't have a platform that runs 24/7 so unfortunately  Venlink isn't an option.

 

I'll search the board for rest calls. I assume that until 5.0 is released we won't be able to view the statistical data, etc. that's stored on the stat.

[paulbates]

Techman-

 

Not to the ISY, correct. A middle man is needed currently in v4 firmwares. You can query the stat with a browser/rest, but not get it back into ISY variables and do meaningful things.

 

developer.venstar.com documents what's in the rest api.

 

Paul

[Techman]

Techman-

 

Not to the ISY, correct. A middle man is needed currently in v4 firmwares. You can query the stat with a browser/rest, but not get it back into ISY variables and do meaningful things.

 

developer.venstar.com documents what's in the rest api.

 

Paul

 

Do you know if I can use the Venstar Wi-Fi module to send email alerts from the thermostat without connecting to their skyport service?.  I'm not sure if the module has the necessary firmware. I want to keep everything contained within the LAN.

[paulbates]

Hey Techman-

 

Great question. There are a number of alerts you can configure. I've always done that through the skyport website. The alerts messages come from messenger@skyportcloud.com. The relationship between those features and the skyport cloud website is very tight, my guess is you need the skyport service to get the alerts. However, I've not tried it another way to know for sure.

 

Also, I've found the maintenance based alerts to be 'trigger happy', I get them too frequently, compared to need. I use other methods to determine filter and humidity pad replacement. However I love the temp high and low alerts, as well as humidity high and low (T5900)

 

The colortouch series appears to be unix under the hood, but locked down hard: REST, Skyport and the front display are the only ways in I've found. (not ssh, telnet, scp etc, they might be on non standard ports)

 

I like skyport, you may want to turn it on and visit the website and give it a try.  It does a lot, including configuration. You can shut it off at the stat if you don't like it.

 

Paul

[Techman]

 

I like skyport, you may want to turn it on and visit the website and give it a try.  It does a lot, including configuration. You can shut it off at the stat if you don't like it.

 

Paul

Hi Paul,

 

My only concern with Skyport is the possibility of their server being compromised. They ask for an abundance of personal information in order to establish an account,  someone could easily determine when you're home or away, etc. which is why I stayed away from the Nest.

 

Once you set up a Skyport account is it possible to disable it from the thermostat if need be or do you have to remove the WiFi module?

[paulbates]

Once you set up a Skyport account is it possible to disable it from the thermostat if need be or do you have to remove the WiFi module?

 

Hey Techman-

 

Yes, you can disable skyport cloud services (WAN), and keep Local LAN API on. The wifi card stays in. There is a setting on the menu of the stat to set this.

 

There are indicators on the stat's interface to show if skyport is active or not, and it changes if its LAN API only. I did shut my skyport off once to test and be sure that it could not call home, it could not and things kept working locally. I use venlink which actively polls each stat every 30 seconds, it was clear that local LAN still worked, and skyport service did not.

 

I believe their information gathering quest is based on how they are aiming to  support Open ADR.   Identity and location specifics would be needed. The current firmware supports ADR, but I've not seen how they plan to tie it to a power utility. You, in California, will see this happen probably before me, in Michigan.

 

Paul

[Techman]

Thanks Paul. I'll give it a try. I currently don't have the Wi-Fi module but will pick one up soon. The ADR option makes sense as they can then integrate their product with the smart meter demand response technology.  I just put in a new two stage HVAC system and the Venstar does everything I need and then some.

 

When the 5.0 ISY firmware comes out it should open up new integration options with the stat.

[paulbates]

Techman

 

I just put in 2 HVAC units, 2 stage. last fall.  The Colortouch's menus offer options to configure how / when 2 stage kicks in and I got to work with that this winter. Each part of my house is very different than the other, and I ended up with different stage 2 call settings for each.

 

Something to look at is the manual for the HVAC unit's second stage call behavior. Some units have an option to let the furnace decide to call stage 2, without listening to the thermostat, based on a return air sensor. It allows single stage thermostats to operate the unit, If the hvac unit is in that mode, the 2 stage calls from the colortouch won't be respected.

 

Though I asked for the Carrier HVAC units to be configure for thermostat stage 2 calls,  I found both units set for the furnace to do it. I found it by pulling the furnace cover to look things over. It was one dipswitch throw on each unit to set it the way I wanted.

 

Agreed on v5, but I plan to use that to have the colortouch integrate better into mobile / tablet / web apps. I would love to stick with venlink even under V5 as there are additional enhancements it provides.

 

Paul

[Techman]

I put in an American Standard system which also has dip switch options on the control board. It's configured it to allow the thermostat to control both the 1st and second stages. I've still have to play around with the deadband settings in order to get everything to my liking. I picked the Venstar over the rest because all the options were configurable and the computer software makes it an easy task.

 

I've found that most of the HVAC contractors don't fully understand the newer and more complicated systems and thermostats so you really have to double check their work.

[paulbates]

I got this advice from a engineer a log time ago:  "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"

[shannong]

IOGuy wrote an integration app for it and there's a forum dedicated to it.

 

http://forum.universal-devices.com/forum/84-venlink/