jrisken Posted July 21, 2016 Posted July 21, 2016 I just got my isy994i and I've been messing with devices for only a couple of days. I'm pretty sure that somewhere in these forums I can find an answer, but life is short so... I have sensors on three exterior doors, When a door opens I'd like to light up a single light on a small panel of lights, a different one for each door - something that we used to call an annunciator board. Obviously I could buy a whole bunch of individual modules to achieve that effect, but a nice single device about the size of a small tablet would be great. Any hints as to where to look would be greatly appreciated.
stusviews Posted July 21, 2016 Posted July 21, 2016 How about KeypadLinc. You can even install one in a TableTop enclosure.
jrisken Posted July 21, 2016 Author Posted July 21, 2016 KeypadLincs seem to have a really bad reputation for reliability. I assume (the images and descriptions don't tell for sure) that each of the 6 buttons has a controllable backlight, i.e. a separate address. Is that right? My 994 is also ZWave compatible. Would ZWave have something similar that anyone has tried?
Techman Posted July 21, 2016 Posted July 21, 2016 Jrisken, You may want to take a look at this company, they have several options http://www.smarthome.com/smartenit-ezio2x4-2-output-4-input-relay-controller.html
larryllix Posted July 21, 2016 Posted July 21, 2016 KeypadLincs seem to have a really bad reputation for reliability. I assume (the images and descriptions don't tell for sure) that each of the 6 buttons has a controllable backlight, i.e. a separate address. Is that right? My 994 is also ZWave compatible. Would ZWave have something similar that anyone has tried? I haven't had any problem with my kpl. They do have some complex options that can be difficult to understand. Get an 8 key kpl though.
stusviews Posted July 21, 2016 Posted July 21, 2016 As larryflix advised an 8-button KPL is ideal. And, like larryfix, I don't have any problems with KPLs. Yes, the ISY will allow you to adjust the brightness of the button LEDs. Although each button has a different group number, the LEDs do not. A change affects all buttons concurrently.
jrisken Posted July 21, 2016 Author Posted July 21, 2016 (edited) "Although each button has a different group number..." Does that mean the individual button lights cannot be toggled or only that their brightness must be the same for all buttons? Or is it like the ZWave keypad where the light next to a button is controlled by the pressing of the button? Edited July 22, 2016 by jrisken
stusviews Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 Each button's LED can be individually controlled, but the brightness level must be the same for all buttons. BTW, I use diffusers to make each button more easily identifiable.
larryllix Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 ...and each button could still be used to acknowledge alarms or other related activities, like lighting scenes around each door that is indicated and labelled on each LED.
jrisken Posted July 22, 2016 Author Posted July 22, 2016 Great. I'll order one 8 button KPL to experiment with. Thanks, everybody.
larryllix Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 Great. I'll order one 8 button KPL to experiment with. Thanks, everybody. I have a 6 key KPL. The major buttons act as a light control for the room. The four small buttons indicate garage door open, lights on upstairs, lights on downstairs. The four small buttons also act as a combination lock with multiple codes for security, as well as turning my washing machine, or well pump back on after a water leak is detected. Each function with a different four key sequence.
stusviews Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 I have a 6 key KPL. The major buttons act as a light control for the room. The four small buttons indicate garage door open, lights on upstairs, lights on downstairs. The four small buttons also act as a combination lock with multiple codes for security, as well as turning my washing machine, or well pump back on after a water leak is detected. Each function with a different four key sequence. You do all that with just four buttons?
jtara92101 Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) You could use a Nabaztag. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabaztag (And there have been many other fanciful annunciator devices that have followed the Nabaztag...) I've always wished Insteon would make a KPL without a dimmer built-in. For many uses, the built-in dimmer is a waste. In my old home, I had the electrician leave an extra space in each switch box at the entry to each room. That way, I could have a KPL as scene controller, as well as individual controls for each circuit. Well, almost all, because in some cases, it would have gotten ridiculous (like a 5-gang). It is better not to use the dimmer in this case, because it is problematical dimming an entire scene when the main button on the KPL controls the dimming of one of the circuits. One can easily run out of dimming range. The work-around is to carefully balance lamp wattages for typical use. It's more flexible if you just don't use the dimmer on the KPL. Edited July 22, 2016 by jtara92101
stusviews Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 Insteon does have a KPL that does not include a dimmer. Also, there's no requirement to connect a dimmer's load wire to anything But I'm not sure about the problem you state, that is, running out of dimming range, except that not all LED bulbs dim to zero. The usual range is down to about 5 to 10%, then off.
KeviNH Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 Lastly, don't forget the usefulness of the Network Module. With this, you can have a program update a local webpage stored on the ISY itself, or send a TCP/UDP network command to any intranet/internet connected device or service. Some of us have even implemented Text-To-Speech: local audio announcements via ISY programs. A Raspberry Pi board can control a dozen or more LEDs independently.
larryllix Posted July 22, 2016 Posted July 22, 2016 (edited) You do all that with just four buttons? Yup. Four buttons can produce 4x4x4x4x4x4 = 4096 combinations, if all combos use six key pushes. I settled on four and three keystroke combinations to operate things, though. My KPL is right over my inverters so it is not 100% reliable, all the time, taking a second try at the combo, when low light conditions put the inverters in the low load and noisy synthesizing mode. Less keystrokes makes it more reliable. http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/16135-using-keypad-triggers-for-a-multiple-combination-locks/?hl=combination Edited July 22, 2016 by larryllix
jrisken Posted July 22, 2016 Author Posted July 22, 2016 "Raspberry Pi" Oh, Lordy, I'm going to ignore that whole suggestion. In the days before soC's I did operating systems for control modules in wastewater treatment plants, and then I wrote the languages (and interpreters) to customize them. I don't think my wife would forgive me for undertaking such a learning curve again. But the nerd in me is tempted.
KeviNH Posted July 23, 2016 Posted July 23, 2016 Pi is a very deep hole. Deeper even than Arduino. So far I've been able to resist both of those. I've looked around for simpler options to control a display or array of LEDs with something more specific to the purpose. Anybody worked with NodeMCU?
Guitartexan01 Posted July 23, 2016 Posted July 23, 2016 I've worked a little with nodeMCU on my esp8266-12e. GT
lilyoyo1 Posted July 25, 2016 Posted July 25, 2016 The 2487s is the relay version of the dimmable kpl. I'd take problems with the kpl (or any device for that matter) with a grain of salt. You never know the full story of how it was used. I've seen people have too many bulbs on a dimmer, incompatible bulbs (non dimmable), or in a bad environment, yet they blame the device when something goes wrong. I've also seen people say they had stuff for x amount of time yet when you look at the model# or rev it'll be much older than they state. That's not saying it can't fail. Since the kpl is electronic it will at some point. I'm just saying take things with a grain of salt I use mostly kpls in my setup and have found them to be pretty rock solid. With the capability/complexity of the kpl, there can be some difficulty (to me I don'tthink it's any different than any other device)in programming which can lead to mistakes and the mistaken belief that the device is bad. Overall (for me) Ithink it's one of insteon best devices
jrisken Posted July 25, 2016 Author Posted July 25, 2016 "Overall (for me) Ithink it's one of insteon best devices " Good to know. Thanks.
larryllix Posted July 25, 2016 Posted July 25, 2016 I wouldn't want one in a room where my guests could see it easily or to operate lights on an everyday usage frequency but they can be really useful acting as 6 or 8 devices.
stusviews Posted July 25, 2016 Posted July 25, 2016 All of our KPL buttons (12 6-button dimmers, 3 8-button dimmers, 3 On/Off KPLs, 2 of which are reconfigured as 8-button) are clearly labelled for easy guest use. Every one of our two dozen paddle switches are labelled, too.
G W Posted July 26, 2016 Posted July 26, 2016 (edited) I just received 8 new KPL units from Amazon. This is ridiculous. This brings my total to 24 installed KPL. Best regards, Gary Funk Edited July 26, 2016 by GaryFunk
larryllix Posted July 26, 2016 Posted July 26, 2016 Gary likes to get things packaged separately as he owns a parcel delivery company.
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