Cycling Pump on/off every # hours

[barkster]

what's the best way to cycle my pool pump on/off every certain number of hours.  When I have variable PoolHeating to 1 I want the pump/heater to come on for 3 hours then off for 3 hours and repeat till I set variable to 0.  I started with this but don't think it is best way or if it would even work.

 

If
        $PoolHeating is 1
 
Then
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' On
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' On
        Wait  3 hours
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off
        Run Program 'HeatPool' (Then Path)
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

[LeeG]

The Variable must be a State variable.  Also need some cleanup in Else.

 

If
        $PoolHeating is 1
 
Then
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' On
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' On
        Wait  3 hours
        
        Run Program 'HeatPool' (Then Path)
 
Else
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off

        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off

 

 

EDIT: Removed the Off statements in Then.  No need for them.

[barkster]

yeah but if I put that in the else my pump will never turn on when I'm not heating pool right.  I have other schedules that run when I'm not heating that look at the Poolheating variable first.

[LeeG]

"yeah but if I put that in the else my pump will never turn on when I'm not heating pool right. "

 

The Else runs once when Variable changed to other than 1.  How will this interfere?   If you only want Program to turn On devices drop the Else statements.   That means that something else is required to turn those devices Off when variable changed which is a little unusual.

[LeeG]

If the Variable is being set to various values besides 0 & 1 (such as 0, 1, 2, 3),  then more data about your operating environment is needed.

[barkster]

I guess my understanding of how the program works is off.  I thought that this thing runs in a loop and it's constantly checking all the programs if statements so if I set the Poolheating variable to 0 then that else statement would fire and since the variable would equal zero then the else would be run. So if had another program that turned the pump on when 0 then this program would turn it right off because the variable is 0. 

[kohai]

Hot H2O Circ Pump 15 min - [iD 0010][Parent 0001]

 

If

        From    11:00:00AM

        To       5:59:00PM (same day)

 

Then

        Repeat Every  1 hour 

           Set 'Hot H2O Circ Pump On-Off Swit' On

           Wait  15 minutes 

           Set 'Hot H2O Circ Pump On-Off Swit' Off

 

Else

        Set 'Hot H2O Circ Pump On-Off Swit' Off

 

 

 

I'm not really trying to answer your question but will throw out how I do an interval program.  I have a circulation pump in my house for hot water and I turn it on for 15 minutes every hour between 11 am - 5:59 pm.  I realize you have one extra complication in tracking whether your heater is on.

[LeeG]

That helps.   The ISY is event driven.   When the State Variable is changed to 0 this Program is triggered (If runs).   The If is evaluated, found False so Else is executed.  This Program is triggered again (run If) only when Variable value is changed.   ISY Programs are triggered to  run If by some event occurring or directed to run by some other Program.  ISY Programs are not running in a loop check checking the If condition(s).

[barkster]

ah, has it always been that way? even with the old 99? I guess I'm getting confused with my old Pic programming I did.  Thanks that helps a lot

[LeeG]

Yes, the ISY has always been event driven.

[ScottAvery]

The Variable must be a State variable.  Also need some cleanup in Else.

 

If

        $PoolHeating is 1

 

Then

        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' On

        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' On

        Wait  3 hours

        

        Run Program 'HeatPool' (Then Path)

 

Else

        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off

        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off

 

 

EDIT: Removed the Off statements in Then.  No need for them.

Lee,

 

Could you explain why the off statements are not required in the Then?  OP wanted to a 6 hour cycle to repeat, 3 on, 3 off, while the heating variable is on.  How does your statement accomplish that?  It looks like it just keeps turning on every three hours.

[LeeG]

The Off statements in the Then clause turns the Pump and Filter Off.  The next statement in Then repeats the Then clause which immediately turns the Pump and Heater back On.  Not likely the pump has even stopped spinning but the point is devices are immediately turned On again.   That 1-2 second Off cycle does not do either device any good.  Much better to have the Else clause turn the devices Off.  

[ScottAvery]

But how would the else be executed?  The state variable is not changing.

 

Doesn't this just loop back on itself staying constantly on?

 

Then
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' On
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' On
        Wait  3 hours
        
        Run Program 'HeatPool' (Then Path)

[LeeG]

Yes.  The Program runs until the State Variable is changed to 0 (per OP).   The probably that the State Variable could be changed during the 1-2 second period when the Then turned the devices Off and before the Then turned the devices back On is so low that the devices would remain On.  

 

 

When the State Variable is changed the 3 hour Wait is interrupted.  The If would be False driving the Else which turns the devices Off. 

[ScottAvery]

Sorry to be thick, but I don't see where the Then turns anything off.  isn't it calling itself?  On, wait 3, on, wait 3, on, wait 3?

[LeeG]

I was referring to the original Then.   The Off statements in the original post #1 would not accomplish anything constructive and could lead to early device problems.

 

If
        $PoolHeating is 1
 
Then
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' On
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' On
        Wait  3 hours
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off
        Run Program 'HeatPool' (Then Path)
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

 

"When I have variable PoolHeating to 1 I want the pump/heater to come on for 3 hours then off for 3 hours and repeat till I set variable to 0.

 

One approach could look like the following

 

If

        $PoolHeating is 1
 
Then
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' On
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' On
        Wait  3 hours
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off

        Wait  3 hours
        Run Program 'HeatPool' (Then Path)
 
Else
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off

        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off

 

I really don't like to do this.   Part of this forum activity (in my view) is to provide the OP with enough information where they can write the Program themselves.   Insteon is DIY.  Helping the OP get to that point is important. 

[stusviews]

Another approach is to put the devices in a scene and control the scene. Fewer statements require less code to process, possibly shaving a nanosecond or two off the execution time

[ScottAvery]

I was referring to the original Then.   The Off statements in the original post #1 would not accomplish anything constructive and could lead to early device problems.

 

.....

 

I really don't like to do this.   Part of this forum activity (in my view) is to provide the OP with enough information where they can write the Program themselves.   Insteon is DIY.  Helping the OP get to that point is important. 

I see.  I was asking about post #2 where you have a different solution.  I thought you knew some inexplicable state machine quirk that would make it turn off with the program logic you provided there and I wanted to understand how it would work.  

[LeeG]

No secrets in post #2.   The original post #1 would leave the devices running when the State Variable changed to 0.  My post #2 example insures the devices are not left running when Variable changes to 0.

 

The If is triggered by the change in Variable value.  The If evaluates as False causing Else to run turning the devices Off.   ISY has worked this way for all the years I have been using them.

[barkster]

I ended up doing it like this

 

If
        $PoolHeating is 1
 
Then
        Set 'Pool Equipment / SupplyValve' Off
        Set 'Pool Equipment / ReturnValve' Off
        Wait  1 minute
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' On
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' On
        Wait  2 hours
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off
        Wait  4 hours
        Run Program 'HeatPool' (Then Path)
 
Else
        Set 'Pool Equipment / FilterPump' Off
        Set 'Pool Equipment / PoolHeater' Off
 
 

[ScottAvery]

Might you want to return your valve actuators to previous position in the else when heating ends? 

[barkster]

I could but all my other programs set them before to make sure they are right anyway.  Thanks