For the ISY portal and Amazon echo, use programs or scene for groups of switches/lights?

[ctviggen1]

Hi All,

I have a number of multiple Insteon lights I control by Alexa.  Right now, I'm controlling two sets of lights at the pool.  I'm using two Insteon outdoor on/off switches. I want to say "turn on pool lights", and have Alexa do that. 

There are two options:

1) create a scene with both outdoor on/off switches (I'm using this one); or

2) create a program with both outdoor on/off switches, where the "then" part turns on the lights and the "else" part turns off the lights (the "if part has no conditions).

I've used both of these (not at the same time) for groups of Insteon switches. 

Is one way better? 

[MrBill]

33 minutes ago, ctviggen1 said:

Is one way better? 

that's subjective.... 🤣

The scene method is faster however.

[ctviggen1]

Well, I just installed this, and when I tested it (with a scene), it worked.  But then when we actually went to use it, only one (of two) came on.  That's odd. 

I guess that's one benefit of using a program instead -- you could add a short delay between them.  (Not sure why I'd need a delay, though.)

[lilyoyo1]

15 hours ago, ctviggen1 said:

Hi All,

I have a number of multiple Insteon lights I control by Alexa.  Right now, I'm controlling two sets of lights at the pool.  I'm using two Insteon outdoor on/off switches. I want to say "turn on pool lights", and have Alexa do that. 

There are two options:

1) create a scene with both outdoor on/off switches (I'm using this one); or

2) create a program with both outdoor on/off switches, where the "then" part turns on the lights and the "else" part turns off the lights (the "if part has no conditions).

I've used both of these (not at the same time) for groups of Insteon switches. 

Is one way better? 

I use a combination of both. I'll put the devices in the scene and then use a program with my assistants.

This way, when I tell my assistants to turn a light on, it'll do so and if i say turn lights off, it'll turn off any light that's on 

[MrBill]

12 hours ago, ctviggen1 said:

Well, I just installed this, and when I tested it (with a scene), it worked.  But then when we actually went to use it, only one (of two) came on.  That's odd. 

I guess that's one benefit of using a program instead -- you could add a short delay between them.  (Not sure why I'd need a delay, though.)

Tell us more about the scene and the testing procedure.  Obviously the two outdoor switches are part of the scene, are there any other members of the scene?  Is the ISY the only controller?   When you "tested' did you mean press scene on/off from the admin console?  When you went to use the the scene, how were you controlling it.

The questions are so we can begin to figure out whether it's a scene setup error (multiple controllers require setting up each controller) or a classic case of line noise or signal problems?   do you know what model number the outdoor switches are?  Looking to figure out if it's a dual band or single band device.