waffles Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 Newbie warning - please bear with me. I am trying to set up a motion sensor (2842-222) to control an LED light (2672-222). My goal is: if the motion sensor is triggered, it should turn on the LED, which then should stay on for 30 sec. if during this period a new motion is sensed, the 30 sec "on" timer would be restarted above should only happen if the environment is dark enough Therefore I created a scene with the LED as responder to the sensor being the controller, with the understanding that no elaborate programming of the ISY is needed, as I can use the MS's options to set the parameters. I got as far as that 1. and 2. work, but I am struggling with 3. I tried to follow the documentation, in particular the settings under Options 2 "As of ISY firmware 2.8.3+ more options are available". My ISY is on v4.2.30 and the menu for the options looks different - see attached. I am confused what "Night only mode" checked or unchecked now means. I tried both ways, in addition to adjusting the Darkness Sensitivity, but I am not getting the desired results. => What are the proper settings for my case? In addition to above, I could also use some help with: A. the "low battery sensing": the Current State in the Administrative Console stays blank => how can I retrieve the state? B. when I click the Query command in the MS's options menu, I get random "Failed Communicating with" errors with this sensor, as well as with a second SM that is in my setup. Both sensors seem to be working fine otherwise. They are within close proximity of other Insteon devices. I found some posts regarding this behavior but no clear answer on how to proceed. Thanks!
larryllix Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 (edited) Newbie warning - please bear with me. I am trying to set up a motion sensor (2842-222) to control an LED light (2672-222). My goal is: if the motion sensor is triggered, it should turn on the LED, which then should stay on for 30 sec. if during this period a new motion is sensed, the 30 sec "on" timer would be restarted above should only happen if the environment is dark enough Therefore I created a scene with the LED as responder to the sensor being the controller, with the understanding that no elaborate programming of the ISY is needed, as I can use the MS's options to set the parameters. I got as far as that 1. and 2. work, but I am struggling with 3. I tried to follow the documentation, in particular the settings under Options 2 "As of ISY firmware 2.8.3+ more options are available". My ISY is on v4.2.30 and the menu for the options looks different - see attached. I am confused what "Night only mode" checked or unchecked now means. I tried both ways, in addition to adjusting the Darkness Sensitivity, but I am not getting the desired results. => What are the proper settings for my case? In addition to above, I could also use some help with: A. the "low battery sensing": the Current State in the Administrative Console stays blank => how can I retrieve the state? B. when I click the Query command in the MS's options menu, I get random "Failed Communicating with" errors with this sensor, as well as with a second SM that is in my setup. Both sensors seem to be working fine otherwise. They are within close proximity of other Insteon devices. I found some posts regarding this behavior but no clear answer on how to proceed. Thanks! Some basics with these MS units. - Battery operated devices do not generally respond to queries from ISY unless the placed in "Linking" mode by usage of the button inside. - a query will update the battery low input. Only the LowBatt will respond to a query when not in "linking mode". Right click on the Low Battery node and select "query". - it is popular practice to disable the MS from sending the Off command and let ISY do the Off timing - darkness/lightness responses takes about 5 minutes to test after changing the light density - Night only mode means do not send out motion detected during light times. This will disable sensing motion during the day and not allow other programming ideas to recognise occupancy of the house. - Switch 5 on means the hardware controls are now inactive and settings are all in the ISY software options (after linking mode is established by the button long pressed). Not entering "linking mode" first will give you a multitude of errors. - In your ISY program (if using it for time control) you should have a time off timer in the "Then" section and a 'Control" in your "If" section. The "Control" usage insures that every time the MS sends an "On" the then section will start again retriggering the "Then" Wait timer to start over. - If you created a scene, the MS must be in linking mode to receive the update. More complex programming will then be needed to intervene with the direct link you have established between the MS and the light switch to control brightness and time of day response. Some of my LEDs are just left to come on during the day as the energy used is so insignificant. There is a way but more complex than if you didn't create a scene (and a direct link = ISY independent) between your MS and light control and just let ISY handle the "On" decisions. - If the "As motion is sensed" is not checked the MS will go to sleep for several minutes each time motion is sensed an will confuse your setup process thinking. Make sure it is checked, especially if you want a 30 second time off otherwise motion will not retrigger the Wait timer and the light will be off most of time while you are moving in front of it. I recommend a longer Off time off so motion is detected more easily within your time selection. The blinking on and off becomes annoying quickly. 1-2 minutes works well for me in all rooms. Edited May 1, 2015 by larryllix
paulbates Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 Insteon wireless devices can not be changed at any time like wired devices can. To get this done today, I would pull the Motion Sensor down to change its settings. To address your goal with 3), I would: Pull the motion sensor back down. Open the battery door Open the admin console and open the options settings for the motion sensor. Enter the following changes, but do not click done yet. Time out = .5 LED brightness = doesn't matter unless you want the led in the motion sensor to blink Darkness sensitivity = 105, for me around 105 equals dusk. Start there. Sensing mode = checked, so your 30 second counter is reset with every detection LED On = unchecked (I don't want to see the motion sensor's led, maybe you do, check it if so) On Commands only = unchecked, so that the motions sensor turns the lights back off Night mode only = checked. Check this so it only senses motion when it thinks its dark, based on the darkness value. Press the black set button under the Motion Sensor's battery door until the LED starts regular blinking Hit the done button on the device options box from the admin console. Wait 30 seconds or so, the admin console will pop up a few messages as it configures the Motion sensor Seal it back up and hang the motion sensor back up. 105 for darkness may not do it for you. If you want it to work when its lighter out, increase this setting a little. If you want it darker before it works, decrease the value a little. You'll have to follow the above lists again to do so. This should get you working. Paul
stusviews Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 Our interior motion sensors only give (low level) light if the room/area is relatively dark, so a darkness sensitivity of 10 works best for us. I let the motion sensor control the duration. LED off will save some battery power.
waffles Posted May 1, 2015 Author Posted May 1, 2015 A big thank you to all of you! Lots of great information. With that, I think I am making some progress. It seems that setting up a MS requires extra patience, with having to wait several minutes for setting changes to fully register and the device 'settles down'. Patience grasshopper, patience..... Is my understanding correct that if Dusk.Dawn is Off, the Sensor can not be triggered?
larryllix Posted May 1, 2015 Posted May 1, 2015 Our interior motion sensors only give (low level) light if the room/area is relatively dark, so a darkness sensitivity of 10 works best for us. I let the motion sensor control the duration. LED off will save some battery power. I use a setting of about 50-75 for mine. A few report dark in shaded rooms quite early and the count of them is useful on very un-sunny days to activate programs based on number that reported darkness as an analogue value.
larryllix Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 A big thank you to all of you! Lots of great information. With that, I think I am making some progress. It seems that setting up a MS requires extra patience, with having to wait several minutes for setting changes to fully register and the device 'settles down'. Patience grasshopper, patience..... Is my understanding correct that if Dusk.Dawn is Off, the Sensor can not be triggered? One other thing while you are at it is to factory reset each and every MS when they are new before installing them. I found some of mine doing things that didn't even seem possible until I factory reset them.
waffles Posted May 2, 2015 Author Posted May 2, 2015 One other thing while you are at it is to factory reset each and every MS when they are new before installing them. I found some of mine doing things that didn't even seem possible until I factory reset them. Yep, I had read about it and made sure I did a factory reset first. Thanks!
Dale T Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 For Darkness sensitivity, is the higher the number refer to darker or lighter? Reading the above answers I'm a bit confused. Thank you Dale
LeeG Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 The smaller the number the darker it has to be. Takes at least 3.5 minutes for Dark condition to exist before it takes effect. Keeps the Motion Sensor from changing modes do to car lights passing by. Remember the Night Only mode also has to be checked for the Motion Sensor to operate only in the dark.
jbushyhead Posted June 22, 2016 Posted June 22, 2016 Some basics with these MS units. - Battery operated devices do not generally respond to queries from ISY unless the placed in "Linking" mode by usage of the button inside. Thank you for this very very important step. It took me a year to figure this very simple step out.
larryllix Posted June 22, 2016 Posted June 22, 2016 Thank you for this very very important step. It took me a year to figure this very simple step out. Ouch! Keep reading here and asking questions. There is a lot of hidden nuances.
Recommended Posts