Mini Remote Questions

[MrTinker]

I just ordered a number of 8-scene Mini Remotes (2342-2 v1.7 on the back of the remote, 2342-222 on the box) and have some questions now that I'm adding and setting them up in my ISY994i.

 

Once added, I see there are a few options that can be changed:

 

Check boxes for LED and Beep (these seem pretty self-explanatory) and radio buttons for the modes (4-scene, 8-scene toggle and 8-scene non-toggle).

 

I was planning to use most of these with FanLincs in addition to other lights. I was thinking one would be able to configure them like a KeyPadLinc with the four buttons for the fan motor modes (off, low, med, high) being set to non-toggle and the other buttons remaining as toggle.

 

It appears this isn't an option? What are my choices for controlling other lights if I set it to 8-scene non-toggle (eg: one button sets light on, another button sets light off)? Use programs instead? It would be nice to be able to dim/brighten any lights controlled from the remote.

 

Thanks in advance for any info, suggestions, examples, etc.

[stusviews]

I, too, was disappointed that I could not set the toggle state for each button as can be done with KeypadLincs. If you need both dimming and non-toggle on, then you can 1) set the Mini Remote for non-toggle on and use program(s) to dim using the left button or 2) set the Mini Remote to toggle and use programs to send an On when off is received.

[MrTinker]

I, too, was disappointed that I could not set the toggle state for each button as can be done with KeypadLincs. If you need both dimming and non-toggle on, then you can 1) set the Mini Remote for non-toggle on and use program(s) to dim using the left button or 2) set the Mini Remote to toggle and use programs to send an On when off is received.

Thank you stusviews.

 

Would anyone have an example program for each method? Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages for each method?

 

Thanks for any help/guidance!

[stusviews]

Not explicitly what you're asking, but here's a couple of programs where On closes the verticals and Off opens them (buttons in 4-scene mode). Memory aid: On places the window covering on the window, Off takes the window covering off the window.

 

LR Deck.A1 Close
If
        Control 'LR / Devices / LRM1.A Close-Open' is switched On
 
Then
        Resource 'LR Deck Close'
        Wait  5 seconds
        $iLast_Deck_Command  = 1
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

LR Deck.A1 Open
If
        Control 'LR / Devices / LRM1.A Close-Open' is switched Off
 
Then
        Resource 'LR Deck Open'
        Wait  38 seconds
        $iLast_Deck_Command  = 0
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

I usually decide which to used based on the number of scenes needed vs. the number of programs required. Scenes are preferred.

[larryllix]

Thank you stusviews.

 

Would anyone have an example program for each method? Also, what are the advantages and disadvantages for each method?

 

Thanks for any help/guidance!

In four scene mode each rocker switch acts exactly like a SwitcLinc on the wall.

This keeps a consistency when a SwichLinc and a Mini-Remote operate the same devices.

 

Each button can produce six different codes. Fast On, On, Brighten, Dim, Off, Fast Off.

 

Here is a program to turn lights On and Off from four different devices. Fast On/Of are combined with On/Off to perform the same duties.

 

PorchAndDeck Lights.manual - [iD 0083][Parent 0017]

If

        (

             'Foyer / Front Porch Lights' is switched Fast On

          Or 'Foyer / Side Deck Lights' is switched Fast On

          Or 'Gathering Room / GathRm KeyPad.D' is switched Fast On

          Or 'Master Bedroom / MBR KeyPad.D' is switched Fast On

        )

    And 'Foyer / Front Porch Lights' is not switched Fast Off

    And 'Foyer / Side Deck Lights' is not switched Fast Off

    And 'Gathering Room / GathRm KeyPad.D' is not switched Off

    And 'Gathering Room / GathRm KeyPad.D' is not switched Fast Off

    And 'Master Bedroom / MBR KeyPad.D' is not switched Off

    And 'Master Bedroom / MBR KeyPad.D' is not switched Fast Off

 

Then

        Disable Program 'Porch Lights.auto'

        Set 'Foyer / Front Porch Lights' Fast On

        Set 'Foyer / Side Deck Lights' Fast On

        Wait  6 hours

        Run Program 'PorchAndDeck Lights.manual' (Else Path)

 

Else

        Set 'Foyer / Front Porch Lights' Off

        Set 'Foyer / Side Deck Lights' Fast Off

        Enable Program 'Porch Lights.auto'

 

[MrTinker]

Thank you both for your responses. These have given me some ideas and I'm wondering if I could do something like the below and which setting for the mini remote would be best:

 

Buttons a-b for one light (a to brighten, b to dim)

Button c, d, e, f for fan motor control (c = off, d = low, e = med, f = high)

Buttons g-h for a second light (g to brighten, h to dim)

 

4-scene mode? Use programs for the c/d/e/f pushes and set corresponding fan scenes on? I believe with this mode, the switches for lights could just be added to the corresponding light scenes as controllers, right?

 

If 8 scene mode was used, how does one use a program to brighten/dim a light? I haven't done enough ISY programming to know how to capture a press and hold and use that to brighten/dim (and do you control the device or scene for the light?).

[stusviews]

I'd set the Mini Remote for 4-button (A, B, C, D). The buttons on the left are, by default, Off/Dim and those on the right, On/Brighten. You need only have them be scene controllers. That covers A (top) and D (bottom) pairs. Program the remaining buttons.

[larryllix]

I would use two state variables to determine the fan speed and lamp level.

Then I would write for programs for the fan and four for the light level (if desired)

 

I would then dedicate the top buttons a-b to the lamp levels and the c-d button to the fan speed.

 

Each time you press the top button on the right side the lamp would brighten one notch. Same with the second from top for the fan speed.

 

Double clicks for all four possibilities could turn the fan full speed On or Off and/or the lamp full on/off to avoid the extra clicking.

 

The programs all look like this (4 speeds for fan, 4 levels for  lamp)

 

If

    $s.FanSpeed = 1

Then

    set Scene.fanLow On

Else

   ---

 

and

 

If

   $s.LampLevel = 3

 

Then

    set Lamp 100%

Else

   --

 

 

Now your receiving programs for the buttons would look like this (1 for Lamp, 1 for fan)

 

If

     control miniRemote.b is switched ON

AND

    $s.LampLevel < 3

 

Then

    $s.LampLevel += 1

 

Else

    $s.LampLevel = 0   <----this would cycle the sequence to Off after Full brightness. Eliminate for stay at 100%

 

 

 

Now any program you want to change the speed of the fan or lamp you just change the variable value and it's like ISY magic

  ...it happens  all by itself!

 

 

Questions or clarity? Just ask!

 

 

Now you still have two buttons to spare. You can even do it all on one button but the operating process gets goofy.

[MrTinker]

Thanks for all the responses, this gives me a good range of ways to setup these remotes.

 

I'm thinking of making some custom wood tabletop stands for these remotes and mounting them horizontally so they can more physically mimic SwitchLincs (down being dim/off and up being brighten/on).

[stusviews]

That'd arrange the button D, C, B, A. which is OK. OTOH, KPL buttons are a vertical array