Temperature Logging

[nickoonce]

I am planning on installing a cool roof coating in an attempt to lower my energy usage. Before I do so, I would like to gather some data to help me quantify the effects.

 

I have a Venstar thermostat and I am able to see the HVAC temperature chart/trend. However, I'd like to take that a few steps further. One thing I don't know how to do is to change the frequency at which the HVAC data is logged. I'd also like to compare the indoor temps to the outdoor temp so that I can calculate the difference. So, I got the weatherbug module but while I can use weatherbug data in programs, it doesn't appear in the logs. Finally, if I could also log when the AC or heater turn on and off, that would also help me to determine how the HVAC system is effecting the difference.

 

I thought about writing a program to log these data points but it doesn't seem like there is an ability to write to file, only send emails.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello nickoonce,

 

As far as logging interval, in V2 thermostats, the dongle sends change of state and ISY logs if and only if the status has changed.

 

ISY does not log WB data simply because the data points are way too high.

 

You can certainly write a program which subscribes to ISY and you will receive ALL the events including those of WB. JSDK (Java SDK) and WSDK (Web Services SDK) both provide you with sample applications that can receive ISY events.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[nickoonce]

Michel,

Thanks for the quick response. I guess I was hoping that there was a way to write an ISY native program. I have some experience with software development and could probably cluge something together with the WSDK. Can you point me to a good starting point? IE, download and tutorial?

 

Also, it would be handy if the ISY native program builder had another option under notify, to write/append to a xml file. Is that on the development plan? If not, is it something to consider?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello nikoonce,

 

Here's the link to our developer section:

http://forum.universal-devices.com/viewtopic.php?t=2321

 

All events published from ISY are in XML and thus your program can append them to any file/database as you wish.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[bpwwer]

Hi nickoonce,

 

I have a sample Visual Studio C# application that subscribes to events and just displays them in a window. If you'd like the source send me an email or PM.

 

bob@universal-devices.com

 

 

Michel,

Thanks for the quick response. I guess I was hoping that there was a way to write an ISY native program. I have some experience with software development and could probably cluge something together with the WSDK. Can you point me to a good starting point? IE, download and tutorial?

 

Also, it would be handy if the ISY native program builder had another option under notify, to write/append to a xml file. Is that on the development plan? If not, is it something to consider?

[nickoonce]

Hello nickoonce,

 

As far as logging interval, in V2 thermostats, the dongle sends change of state and ISY logs if and only if the status has changed.

 

Michel

 

This information made it possible for me to write a little ISY based program to get better internal temp trending reports. I'm posting the program details below in case anyone is interested. As Michel stated, ISY only logs if there is a status change.

 

If
       From    12:00:00AM
       To      11:59:59PM (same day)

Then
       Repeat Every  1 hour 
          Set 'HVAC' Query

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

[nickoonce]

Michel,

The V2 has the ability to read an optional, external temp sensor.

 

Can ISY access that data too, if I install the optional sensor?

[aLf]

Has anyone run across an (inexpensive) thermometer that one could link in ISY. For various reasons, I hesitate to make the move to a thermostat to control my HVAC. THat said, I'd like to be able to have setpoints send me emails through ISY. What do all you Therm Guru's think would be the best way to go?

 

Thanks,

 

aLf

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello nickoonce,

 

Unfortunately INSTEON APIs do not give us access to that.

 

aLf,

 

I have not seen any!

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[nickoonce]

Unfortunately, classic ASP (vbscript) is where I'm the most comfortable programming. However, using the WeatherBug API, I've been able to collect the climate data I'm seeking and by modifying an example in the ISY developers forum

http://forum.universal-devices.com/viewtopic.php?p=34067#34067

 

I was able to connect to my ISY remotely (via SSL even), authenticate and dump the config info to the screen in a ASP page. This is great... I'm 90% there!

 

Now that I'm connected, how can I query the ISY for the current or most recent V2 temp status?

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi nickoonce,

 

Excellent. If you do not have a subscription channel, the best way is to use the REST APIs. And, namely:

/rest/status/ -- returns the status for the given node 

 

 

With kind regards,

Michel