Using ELK door sensor to control Schlage BE469 lock?

[gweempose]

Yesterday, I installed a Schlage BE469 Z-Wave lock. I'm wondering if I can write a program that utilizes the existing ELK sensor on the door to auto-lock the deadbolt once the door has been closed for a specified period of time? Has anyone done this or something similar?

[Chris Jahn]

Hi gweempose,

 

I haven't tried it, but you certainly could write a program to do this (as long as ISY generates an event for the door sensor).  In general, you can use any event to cause any action regardless of the source of the event.  For a simple example, I had a program that automatically turned on an Insteon Lamp when a Schlage Z-Wave door lock was unlocked.

[gweempose]

Hi gweempose,

 

I haven't tried it, but you certainly could write a program to do this (as long as ISY generates an event for the door sensor).

 

Yep. When the door is closed, the zone shows as "Normal" in the ISY, and when it's open it shows as "Violated". So I should be good to go. It's just a matter of figuring out how to write the program so that it only throws the lock when the door is closed, and it resets the timer if the door is opened again before my "auto-lock" command kicks in.

[MikeD]

Hi gweempose,

 

I do this with a few programs. You need a door sensor to indicate when the door closes or if it is left open. I also include a KPL button to disable the timeout if I am expecting company.

http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14677-schlage-be469/?p=123297

 

~Mike

[gweempose]

Hi gweempose,

 

I do this with a few programs. You need a door sensor to indicate when the door closes or if it is left open. I also include a KPL button to disable the timeout if I am expecting company.

http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/14677-schlage-be469/?p=123297

 

~Mike

 

Thanks, Mike! That's some clever programming. I love how you use a KPL button to enable or disable the auto-lock program. I should be able to do something similar without the need for any additional sensors, since the ELK sensors already indicate whether the door is open or closed.

 

The one thing I miss most about the Sunnect lock that I replaced is how its auto-lock function worked. There was a sensor built in to the lock that was triggered by a magnet in the strike plate. So the lock itself knew when the door was open or closed. I wish the Schlage had something like this. To be honest, I'm surprised other manufacturers haven't emulated this feature, as it is very handy. Having the lock automatically close after 30 seconds is nice, but it obviously doesn't work properly if someone holds the door open for longer than that. Fortunately, some creative programming in the ISY can be used as a workaround.

[MikeD]

Magnet in the strike plate, that is interesting and clever. Hopefully the solution I use will be sufficient for you.

[gweempose]

I wrote a couple simple programs to auto-lock the deadbolt and they appear to be working properly. The first program senses when the deadbolt has been unlocked regardless of the method and triggers the auto-lock program:

Autolock Trigger - Front Door - [ID 0028][Parent 0025]

If
        Status  'Z-Wave / Lock - Front Door' is Unlocked
 
Then
        Run Program 'Autolock - Front Door' (If)
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

The second program checks to see if the door is closed by monitoring the status of the Elk zone. If the door is closed, it will lock the door after 30 seconds. If the door is open, it will wait five second and then jump back and re-run the "If" statement:

Autolock - Front Door - [ID 0029][Parent 0025]

If
        Elk Zone 'FRONT DOOR' is Normal
 
Then
        Wait  30 seconds
        Set 'Z-Wave / Lock - Front Door' Lock
 
Else
        Wait  5 seconds
        Run Program 'Autolock - Front Door' (If)
 

Does anyone see any flaws in this programming?

[KeviNH]

I think you can get similar results with a single program?

Autolock - Front Door - [ID 0029][Parent 0025]

If
        Elk Zone 'FRONT DOOR' is Normal
    and Status 'Z-Wave / Lock - Front Door' is Unlocked
 
Then
        Wait  30 seconds
        Set 'Z-Wave / Lock - Front Door' Lock
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

[gweempose]

I think you can get similar results with a single program?

Autolock - Front Door - [ID 0029][Parent 0025]

If
        Elk Zone 'FRONT DOOR' is Normal
    and Status 'Z-Wave / Lock - Front Door' is Unlocked
 
Then
        Wait  30 seconds
        Set 'Z-Wave / Lock - Front Door' Lock
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

You know what, I think you're right. When writing these programs, I have a tendency to make things a lot more complicated than they have to be ... 

 

If I do it your way, as soon as the deadbolt is unlocked, it should run the "Then" statement, and if the door is opened before the 30 seconds, the program should go idle. I'll give it a try and let you know.

[gweempose]

I just tested it, and the new way works perfectly. It's a much better way of doing it. Not only does it eliminate a program, but it also eliminates the unnecessary loop that I had within the auto-lock program. Thanks for the suggestion!

[BamBamF16]

Do these locks not offer auto-lock built in? My kwikset lock does. Just curious.

[gweempose]

Do these locks not offer auto-lock built in? My kwikset lock does. Just curious.

 

Yes. The Schlage comes with an auto-lock feature. When engaged, it will automatically re-lock the deadbolt 30 seconds after it has been unlocked. The problem is that it will throw the deadbolt even if the door is open. This is obviously not ideal. My program ensures that it will only lock if the door is closed. Plus, it gives me the flexibility to set the delay to any amount of time I want.

[gweempose]

I just wanted to follow up and say how happy I am with this whole setup. I now have a Schlage BE469 lock installed on every door of my home. They all have custom auto-lock programs that are being managed by the ISY, and I can easily turn on or off the auto-lock on any door with a simple press of a button on this KeypadLinc ...

 

[MikeD]

Congratulations! Great looking KPL buttons.

[gweempose]

Congratulations! Great looking KPL buttons.

 

Thanks! Your programming was my inspiration! 

[gweempose]

I was watching Colony yesterday, and I noticed a keypad that looks extremely similar to my Shlage. What doesn't make sense it that it is mounted adjacent to another deadbolt in the door frame. I'm assuming the keypad doesn't actually function, and the set designer just stuck it on there to make the home look more modern and secure.