Scenes, X-10 and the X-10 "all Lights 'ON' Command"

[glacier991]

Playing with my new ISY.... a learning curve in progress...great fun !   At this point in my play I am surmising that X-10 devices cannot be included in an ISY scene, only Inteon devices...(my attempt to add X-1o device meets in failure). That's ok and even understandable if that's the case (suspect it to be)... Next Q then is, X-10 has an "ALL LIGHTS ON command. Can I prompt isy to issue that command once I find the right syntax, or is there an easier solution I am missing?

 

Or, do I just need to program each light into one trigger under programs? I am trying to get Alexa to do this and don't that would work in a program....unless someone can explain how Alexa can run a programmed event.

 

[Late edit: I am trying to get Alexa to issue an "all lights off "or "all lights on" command for X-10 devices.}

[paulbates]

You can't mix x10 and insteon in scenes, that is true.

 

You can create coordinate it closely with an ISY program with no "if" clause, and an X10 all on (or off) command, and call that from Alexa. See the attachment for a sample program. It does not require the ISY X10 Module

 

You can execute the x10 and insteon scene "back to back" in the ISY program with a noticable second or two between each is turned on. If you wanted to do it as close a possible, do the X10 command first, and then a command for an Insteon scene. Do it in that order

 

Paul

[glacier991]

Great stuff and advice... Thanks so much Paul...let me try your suggestion(s).... with this understanding.... the "ALL ON", if like in an original X-10 PLM command, means I cannot select which X-10 devices to add to (or exclude from other than by code) that command?

[glacier991]

Okay... for this to work at present (this is sort of a proof of concept exercise) I have NO insteon device to put in a scene. With nothing in it, it appears I cannot create an empty scene to reference i  the "set  scene" command.line.. am I right? Which means, in order for this to work I need a scene partially populated with insteon devices (in the final version I an likely arrange that to work).

 

 

I have now solved the problem for a scene (sorry to be sort of thinking out loud here and finding out stuff I maybe should have known before I post but needed a piece of info here or there to know what I did not know). Now the problem is how to get Alexa to recognize the scene to execute it. When I scan for devices in the Alexa app the scene does not show up, and when I call it,she appropriately says "not in your devices".

 

[Trying to sell my wife on this next move to voice control, and her being able to call out "Lights ON" or something and making it happen would be a great sales point!}

[larryllix]

I didn't think any software knows what is inside an Insteon scene.

 

I have no access to my ISY to test anything right now though.

 

Sent from a tiny keyboard. Response may be brief.

[paulbates]

I have NO insteon device to put in a scene. With nothing in it, it appears I cannot create an empty scene to reference i  the "set  scene" command.line.. am I right? Which means, in order for this to work I need a scene partially populated with insteon devices (in the final version I an likely arrange that to work).

 

 

I have now solved the problem for a scene (sorry to be sort of thinking out loud here and finding out stuff I maybe should have known before I post but needed a piece of info here or there to know what I did not know). Now the problem is how to get Alexa to recognize the scene to execute it. When I scan for devices in the Alexa app the scene does not show up, and when I call it,she appropriately says "not in your devices".

 

[Trying to sell my wife on this next move to voice control, and her being able to call out "Lights ON" or something and making it happen would be a great sales point!}

 

Hi

Yes, you'll need to create a scene before you can pick if from the list in you program.  From the Link Management menu, pick New Scene from the bottom. You then name it and 'drag and drop' Insteon device on the New scene so that they participate. If the device is a switch, and you want it turn all of the other scene members on, make it a controller by checking the box in the pop up window that will appear.

 

For echo capability, you need to subscribe to the ISY Portal, create an online account and set it up. Once you have the portal, you need to use it to decide what devices and scenes you want alexa to have access to. To subscribe to the Portal, go to the Help menu in the Admin Console and select Purchase Modules. There are several portals, you'll want ISY Portal

 

Paul

[glacier991]

Paul, thanks. I have the portal and learning as I go along... bashing here and there until the light bulb goes off. In this case, the solution was in fact incredibly simple and right before me -  Alexa allows you to group devices within it's own app, and in effect then voice command the entire group. Better than an X-10 command which was limited to a Unit code - A, B etc... So I was trying on the wrong end.

 

Hey, a quick Q. Can I have ISY and Alexa treat a program as a "device"? e.g can I set up a program in ISY and voice actuate it through Alexa?

[paulbates]

Yep, the portal let you pass devices, scenes and programs through to alexa. You have to remember to go back to the alexa app and discover devices each time you add more in the portal.

 

Alexa's groups has its advantages, but so does calling an ISY program from Alexa instead of using her groups. There's no ultimate right or wrong ,just a few subtle differences:

• You get more fine grained control in the ISY if you call an ISY Program as opposed to using an Alexa group.
   
• The alexa group feature always does things sequentially, so if you put 4 "things" in it, they each get turned on one at a time in sequence as opposed to all at once, like with an ISY Insteon scene. However, Alexa groups let you combine automation with things that the ISY doesn't know about but Alexa does. That can be handy for things like dimming lights in the TV room with the ISY while harmony turns on the TV.

I've been trying to think of a use for an alexa group involving the thermostats, tv remote, sprinklers and ISY lighting..     

 

Paul

[larryllix]

So far, I don't use Alexa groupings even though I have many different types of devices.

 

If I can't Co troll the pathway with isy logic, I don't prefer it.

 

Sent from a tiny keyboard. Response may be brief.

[stusviews]

You don't need a scene at all. Create a program that has the X10 command as the only THEN statement. Ensure that the program functions correctly (right click on the program name and select "Run Then"). Add the program to the portal. Assign a spoken to the program (it doesn't need to be the program name). Discover it in the Alexa app. That's it, you're done

[glacier991]

Great idea, thanks.