KeypadLinc as nightlight (and confirm other scene setup)

[michaelG]

(ISY99i  KeypadLinc 2486D)

 

After a recent failure of a PLM I decided to refine my Insteon/ISY setup so that my KeypadLinc LEDs would be illuminated appropriately.

 

Thanks to Techman, Brian H, and larryllix for their help on the PLM replacement.

 

Perusing the wiki and forums learning about Scenes vs Programs and Toggle modes and mutually exclusive settings I think I got most of the straightforward scenes and buttons working. It seemed like early methods used mutually exclusive button settings but then later suggestions (including the ISY admin) recommended not doing that. I think I even came a cross a suggestion to add a KeypadLink button as a controller and a responder -- but maybe I read that wrong because that doesn't seem to be possible in my setup. Anyway...

 

So, first I would like to confirm I did this right. (it does seem to work right.)

 

My 8-button KeypadLinc doesn't control a load -- it replaced a 3-way switch. 

 

The first six buttons are simple scenes, Cooking, Dining, Entertainment etc. -- press button C and all the lights controlled by other Insteon dimmer switches adjust to proper level and the C button lights up and all the other buttons turn off (if they were on). I accomplished this by doing the following.

1. Buttons are set for Non-Toggle On
2. I created Cooking scene where I added C as controller and all other buttons and required dimmers as responders.
3. On the top-level Scene setting:
   • I made (keypad) C On Level 100%
   • I made (keypad) A, B and D-H On Level 0%
   • I made appropriate other dimming changes
4. On (keypad) C controller setting within the C Scene:
   • ​(using the button) I copied attributes from the top-level Scene setting
   • I made sure (keypad) C On Level 100%
   • I made sure (keypad) A, B and D-H On Level 0%

​I wasn't sure whether 3 or 4 was the important one, so I just made sure they matched.

 

 

​Secondly, I would like to create a button H which will turn OFF all the lights that I add to the scene (most likely all the lights in the house) but also turn ON all of the button LEDs to act as a night light so I can find the right KeypadLinc button in the dark.

 

Can I do this without using a program? I wasn't sure about the whole non-toggle On vs Off. I felt like if I made the H button non-toggle Off then it can't send an ON to the other buttons. 

 

If I do use a program it looks like it would be:

 

If Control 'Keypad - H' is switched On

 

Then Set Scenes / Nightlight On

 

Thanks for taking the time to read through all this, and I appreciate in advance any comments.

 

 

[oberkc]

So, first I would like to confirm I did this right. (it does seem to work right.)

 

This is how I would do it.

 

 

Can I do this without using a program?

 

Possibly.

 

 

I felt like if I made the H button non-toggle Off then it can't send an ON to the other buttons.

 

True.

 

Have you considered making a scene with all your devices (such scenes can be generally useful, in my experience).  The only controller device in that scene would be "keypad-H".  Set H to non-toggle ON.  Set all you other secondary buttons' responder levels to ON.  Set responder levels for all devices controlling loads to OFF. 

 

Give it a shot.

[michaelG]

Thanks I will try making that scene with all devices.

 

One thing that I think I read in all the research on the forums was something about not being able to turn off a load completely using a non-toggle On. It would be 1% -- so that's why I was concerned about the non-toggle On being used to turn everything off.

 

Not sure if that was just a KeypadLinc or some dream I had. 

[oberkc]

One thing that I think I read in all the research on the forums was something about not being able to turn off a load completely using a non-toggle On.

 

Yes, that does sound familiar.  I cannot say that I have ever looked at my devices after commanded to a zero ON level, so I cannot dispute that possibility.  Perhaps you could try it with a small number of devices (H button and a light, for example) and see how the light reacts (off or 1%).  Then you could tell me how it goes.

 

If, indeed, not set fully off, I am afraid a program might be in order.  I would still set button H to non-toggle ON (not off) and make it a scene controller with all other secondary buttons as responder.  All other load devices (except things like motion sensors, remote controls) go in an "all house" scene.  Supplement that with a program:

 

if

control button H set ON

then

set "all house" OFF

else

nothing

[michaelG]

This is how I would do it.

 

 

Possibly.

 

 

True.

 

Have you considered making a scene with all your devices (such scenes can be generally useful, in my experience).  The only controller device in that scene would be "keypad-H".  Set H to non-toggle ON.  Set all you other secondary buttons' responder levels to ON.  Set responder levels for all devices controlling loads to OFF. 

 

Give it a shot.

 

 

That worked thanks!

 

Nice to have the keypadlink making more sense (both in my understanding and also in the LEDs acting as a tally for scenes) then when I set it up 10 years ago.