Check on status of alarm?

[TechGuy]

As far as I know, there's no way to have a rule in the 99i to depend on Elk in any way (device status, arm/disarmed, etc). Is it possible to use an X10 or other address as a sort of variable instead? For example, could I have Elk set an X10 address On so that 99i knows when it's armed, and then make rules based on that? Do I need to have a real X10 device to do that, or can I create it in the 99i?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello TechGuy,

 

You are correct. Unfortunately, that hook has not yet been implemented. This said, however, this is one of the requirements that we will be working on shortly (medium priority).

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

As far as I know, there's no way to have a rule in the 99i to depend on Elk in any way (device status, arm/disarmed, etc). Is it possible to use an X10 or other address as a sort of variable instead? For example, could I have Elk set an X10 address On so that 99i knows when it's armed, and then make rules based on that? Do I need to have a real X10 device to do that, or can I create it in the 99i?

[TechGuy]

Thanks for the quick reply! Are you saying that my "work around" wouldn't work, either? If so, which part is not implemented? Thanks!

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi TechGuy, it depends on what you want to do with it.

 

If you want the armed/disarmed status events turn on/off INSTEON lights/scenes then you can already do it by:

1. Having rules in ELK to turn on/off a device/scene

2. In the programs, you can use the status of a device (see 1) to impact other things within ISY. i.e. use the status of device as a variable. But, you cannot do this with X10

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

Thanks for the quick reply! Are you saying that my "work around" wouldn't work, either? If so, which part is not implemented? Thanks!

[TechGuy]

So I'd need to get something like a KeypadLinc and turn an LED on/off with the alarm to accomplish what I'm aiming for?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi TechGuy,

 

Yes. But I am still unsure as to what it is exactly that you are trying to accomplish. If you simply wan to turn on/off devices/scenes based on the Alarm status, you could as easily do it without a variable: simply put a rule in your ELK to turn on/off devices/scenes based on your desired alarm status.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

So I'd need to get something like a KeypadLinc and turn an LED on/off with the alarm to accomplish what I'm aiming for?

[TechGuy]

Oops! Sorry, I thought I had included that in my original post, but I didn't.

 

My goal is to adjust the thermostat when the system is armed or disarmed.

 

Thanks for all of the replies!

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi TechGuy, in this case then you would need a variable (a button on a keypad) since we cannot yet control Thermostats directly from ELK.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

Oops! Sorry, I thought I had included that in my original post, but I didn't.

 

My goal is to adjust the thermostat when the system is armed or disarmed.

 

Thanks for all of the replies!

[TechGuy]

Just to be super clear before I spend $70 on a KeypadLinc to use for variables -- the Elk would be able to control the LEDs on a KeypadLinc, and that change could initiate a program in the i99, right?

 

Thanks!

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi TechGuy,

 

Yes ... but, you don't really need a KPL; you could use any INSTEON device for this purpose. Do you have any INSTEON devices that you don't currently use?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

Just to be super clear before I spend $70 on a KeypadLinc to use for variables -- the Elk would be able to control the LEDs on a KeypadLinc, and that change could initiate a program in the i99, right?

 

Thanks!

[TechGuy]

Not really -- I was thinking I could just buy a cheaper device, but for $70 I could essentially get 8 variables.