How to query devices and 'do stuff' with the results.

[shunsader]

I've been running Insteon for just about 20 years now (X10 before that), and finally upgraded to ISY about 10 years ago. I have a fair number of programs, but there are a few routes I haven't taken yet.

1. If I have a device like a thermostat or Motion Sensor II, is it possible to query for temperatures, and store those values so that I can do something with them later? I'd like to be able to use Light intensity data off some of my motion sensors (have 8 so far, ordered another 10 last night), so that I can determine myself when I want to have outside walkway lights turn on/off, AND open/close shades, as well as use temperature data from outside and in to determine when to close shades.

2. Determine light setting in a light so that if my motion sensor turns off a light if it's in a scene, I can turn it back on at that specific level. Another example: Kitchen light standard is 50%, but when my wife cooks, she wants the lights FULL ON. If the lights turn off (by timer or motion sensor inactivity), I want to put the lights back on where they were when she left.

Ideas, suggestions?

Steve

[shunsader]

After sifting through this forum, I may have discovered the answer: Set a Variable to the device's Status after querying the device first. I didn't realize that one could set a variable to a device's sensor data as shown in the screenshot.

New questions:

Any ideas how long I should wait for the query to update the data fields? WITHOUT doing a query, the data in motion sensors is STALE.

Has anyone used the "Temperature Calibrate" feature on the Insteon Motion Sensor II? I can't seem to SET (Calibrate) one of my sensors, but two others that I tried (many times), may have gotten them to 'stick'.

 

[oberkc]

In general, I understand that insteon devices transmit stauts and that the ISY status is current.  If not so in your case, there may be a communication problem between the device and PLM.

Furthermore, I suspect querying battery devices will not update the status since battery devices generally are not listening for insteon commands, to save battery life.

[shunsader]

Oberkc, thanks for the quick response. I'm not keen on needing to replace batteries, so I opted to not do so until another powering method was available. The Motion Sensor II has an alternative powering method....Micro USB port behind the battery, and which has lead to my "Motion Sensor Project". I'm deploying a whole 'fleet' of these throughout the house and property, but want to get it right before complete deployment.

I understand communication 'woes', and have dealt with that a few weeks ago, just changing out 10 switches did the trick! But, as you mentioned, the Motion Sensor II apparently doesn't update light or temperature data regularly, so I need to query in order to get accurate, up to the moment data.

Now I'm trying to get a handle on how long to wait after querying before reading the data.

[larryllix]

I gave up on calibrating my MS II device temperatures. They never seem to be settable to a desired result whether on USB power or batteries.

So far the extra readings are junk and not good for usage with lighting either. Even the ISY994 device page does silly things with reading jumping around if you change a setting. I only use my three MS IIs for occupancy. There is no ISY logic that can compensate for their timing problems not sending retrigger signals.

[shunsader]

@larryllix, the luminance data seemed 'decent' between my 3 outside data, but I'm sure that may change over time. Is there something else that I can use (Insteon) that I can get more accurate temperature and lighting data from? 

[larryllix]

1 hour ago, shunsader said:

@larryllix, the luminance data seemed 'decent' between my 3 outside data, but I'm sure that may change over time. Is there something else that I can use (Insteon) that I can get more accurate temperature and lighting data from? 

CAO Wireless Tags send temperature, humidity, lux, XYZ position, moisture, door open/closed, moisture, and are cheap and easy to implement.. Search for many threads in the forum on them.

[Bumbershoot]

2 hours ago, shunsader said:

Is there something else that I can use (Insteon) that I can get more accurate temperature and lighting data from? 

 

1 hour ago, larryllix said:

CAO Wireless Tags send temperature, humidity, lux, XYZ position, moisture, door open/closed, moisture, and are cheap and easy to implement.. Search for many threads in the forum on them.

@shunsader, you might give some thought to these CAO Wireless Tags.  I've found that they are cheap, reliable and easy to use.  There are three ways that you can get data from the CAO Wireless tags into your ISY (I've used all three methods, and am now using the nodeserver, though you'll need to be on 5.x.x firmware to use it):

1. KUMO apps:
2. Custom URL Calling:
3. Wireless Tag Nodeserver (likely the most popular way):