Z-Wave Dimmer Code

[mikek]

I'm sure this is in the wiki somewhere and I'm just missing it, but can someone point me in the direction of some instructions or examples for turning on lights at specific dimmer levels. What I ultimately want to do is have my porch lights come on at a set time at a "low level" setting but then increase to a "high level" setting if my motion sensor is tripped.

 

Thanks in advance.

[asbril]

I am sure that others may have a better answer, but I believe you can achieve this with two separate programs.

 

(1)

 

IF  

From Sunset to Sunrise

 

THEN set Porch lite ON at  XX%

 

(2) 

 

IF

From Sunset to Sunrie

AND

Motion Detector is ON

 

THEN 

set Porch Lite On at 100 %

wait  XX minutes

set Porch Lite at XX %

[mikek]

I am sure that others may have a better answer, but I believe you can achieve this with two separate programs.

 

(1)

 

IF  

From Sunset to Sunrise

 

THEN set Porch lite ON at  XX%

 

(2) 

 

IF

From Sunset to Sunrie

AND

Motion Detector is ON

 

THEN 

set Porch Lite On at 100 %

wait  XX minutes

set Porch Lite at XX %

Thank you, that's very helpful. How do you decide when it is appropriate to use multiple programs? An even more general question - are there guidelines for writing efficient code? I haven't gotten very far into programming yet, but it seems like there will often be multiple options to accomplish a given task, so what's your process when envisioning how a program (or group of programs) should be run?

[asbril]

Mikek, I am not a very sophisticated 'programmer' and I am sure that others can improve my suggested programs. They may use variables, and I am not yet comfortable with the concept. These two programs are for you to get started and I don't think that there is a limit on the number of programs. I have some 25 programs, some with the same devices.

[lilyoyo1]

You don't always need multiple programs. However in a situation where you have multiple needs sick as yours, the likelihood of multiple programs increases.

 

I wouldn't worry about bring efficient with your programs. You'll learn as you go. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. Those mistakes will help you become a better programmer.

[lilyoyo1]

In Asbril's program (1) I'd add turn lights off to the or else portion.

[asbril]

BTW  Some of dimmable light bulbs have a humming sound (I use Homeseer dimmers). Anyone has a recommendation of light bulbs that do not hum ?

[giesen]

For my Insteon dimmers I use the Philips Warm Glow bulbs exclusively and have not yet running into any buzzing problems

 

Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk

[lilyoyo1]

BTW  Some of dimmable light bulbs have a humming sound (I use Homeseer dimmers). Anyone has a recommendation of light bulbs that do not hum ?

 

I use the Philips warm glow bulbs in most rooms. In my kitchen and office, I use the Feit enhance bulbs

[mwester]

Philips warm glow are also my "go-to" bulbs now.   I had very good luck with the early Cree bulbs, but as Cree has driven down manufacturing costs, the quality of the bulbs is visibly less, and their tolerance for Insteon dimmers is gone.  I use older Feit bulbs as well, but only in the switched (i.e. non-dimmer) circuits -- they seem to have a very difficult "low-end" when it comes to dimming (e.g. they don't come on at all until you've dimmed almost half-way up, then they jump up in brilliance suddenly)

[lilyoyo1]

Philips warm glow are also my "go-to" bulbs now. I had very good luck with the early Cree bulbs, but as Cree has driven down manufacturing costs, the quality of the bulbs is visibly less, and their tolerance for Insteon dimmers is gone. I use older Feit bulbs as well, but only in the switched (i.e. non-dimmer) circuits -- they seem to have a very difficult "low-end" when it comes to dimming (e.g. they don't come on at all until you've dimmed almost half-way up, then they jump up in brilliance suddenly)

Try the enhance line if you ever get a chance. I used to have the warm glow in my kitchen and office too but the enhance line had a much higher CRI than the Philips and a little brighter.

 

All of my lights are on a 2 second to rate. There is a slight delay before they ramp up (warm glow handle it much better) but it's hard to tell.