Use variable for % illumination for device / scene

[GQuack]

Can someone point me to documentation on how the feature to set a scene or a device to a variable ON level is? I can’t find anything in the Wiki and haven’t found anything in this forum that provides the explanations. Not sure if what I am conceptualizing can be done or not but something like this.

The use of a variable to set a device to a “%” ON level is straightforward, initialize a value, set the device ON to that variable level. Now, how does that same feature work with a scene where that same capability exists to use a “variable” level for the scene? Does the variable value get applied to every device in the scene?

What I am thinking of doing….for this example, I have 3 separate scenes each with their respective light responders controlled by their respective controller keypad button(s). Can I create a single “scene” combining all 3 of those sets of light responders and their corresponding keypad button responders, and control the illumination % level for each of those 3 sets of lights differently using the variable % set feature at either the device or scene level? Such as scenario 1: 40%, 60%, and 80%, scenario 2: 60%, 60% and 100%, scenario 3: 100%, 100%, and 100%. If I can do that, saves me from creating multiple scenes for each of the lighting values which is what I have now with the potential for further expansion.

Hope I haven't hopelessly confused the question.

[larryllix]

Scenes are presets inside a group of devices so they can all be controlled with one command. They were never meant to be manipulated on a usage basis. ISY has the ability to do this but you are reprogramming their EPROMS each time you do this and it takes some time (a few seconds each device)

Use mutliple scenes (presets) or just set the level manually  in each program. Insteon devices usually can store up to 256 different scene levels. There is no way to read the values inside a scene preset. The values you see in the IoX are only the latest values that ISY . If another device controlled the scene values IoX would not be aware of the change.

 

[Andy P]

I faced the same question. I found that the nice thing is that it is easy to copy all of the devices from one scene to another. Just multiselect all the devices in the first scene and right click and add to scene for the other scenes. Then you have to adjust the dim levels individually, but at least adding the devices goes fast. I created 8 scenes for the living area with 8 devices each so it definitely saved time using the multiselect method. 

I think I did finally figure out what @larryllix is saying. I used to think that the PLM was sending a command to each device in the scene telling it to 'turn on and dim to level x' but now I believe it is actually just sending out a command like 'turn on scene 12345' and the device knows what it is supposed to do as part of that scene.

As a result, I also changed the way I use the keypads. Instead of having a button toggle a scene on and off, I changed the buttons to non-toggle mode so they trigger a scene and then turn off. That way I can have scenes like 'bright', 'cozy', 'dim' and 'off' on the keypad and a single button press sets that scene. I found that sometimes the button gets stuck in the on mode, so I added turning the other buttons off to each scene as well.

Not sure if there is a better way, but since I made this change, my wife is a lot happier with how it works.

[Bumbershoot]

If you don't want to create multiple scenes, you can do this using the "Adjust Scene" function, though it takes a program to initiate the change.  You can toggle the "On Level" value between a fixed % or the value of an Integer variable.  I believe that you have to adjust the "On Level" of every device in the scene in the initiating program.  The program below simply sets the devices to a fixed % instead of to a variable, but the screenshot shows how to select a variable for the "On Level" in the AC.  This program takes a few seconds to run as it writes/updates the three Insteon switchlincs to the proper "On Level", but the scene itself reacts instantly to the "Fast On" as you would expect.

WestHallManualOverrideOn - [ID 0005][Parent 000A]

If
        'Devices / dirWestHall / sldWestHallEntrance' is switched Fast On
     Or 'Devices / dirWestHall / sldWestHallLaundry' is switched Fast On
     Or 'Devices / dirWestHall / sldWestHallOffice' is switched Fast On
 
Then
        Set 'Scenes / scnWestHallLights' Fast On
        In 'Devices / dirWestHall / msWestHallNorth-Sensor' Set 'Devices / dirWestHall / sldWestHallLaundry' To 100% in 0.1 seconds, 1 retry
        In 'Devices / dirWestHall / msWestHallNorth-Sensor' Set 'Devices / dirWestHall / sldWestHallEntrance' To 100% in 0.1 seconds, 1 retry
        In 'Devices / dirWestHall / msWestHallNorth-Sensor' Set 'Devices / dirWestHall / sldWestHallOffice' To 100% in 0.1 seconds, 1 retry
        Disable Program 'WestHallOnOff'
        Wait  4 hours 
        Run Program 'WestHallManualOverrideOff' (Then Path)
 
Else
   - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')
 

 

[GQuack]

Thank you all for your replies, gives me some more to think about. @Andy P that's a good trip on the multiple scenes, was not aware you can do that.

@larryllix thank you for your comments, I do understand the eprom side of it but I have to ask the question: then for what purpose is having the option to set a scene to a variable %? When would you use that?

@Bumbershoot I haven't used the adjust scene functionality yet, I will look at that further. Decision point will be how often I expect to switch between these "scenes" to figure out the best approach.

[larryllix]

2 hours ago, GQuack said:

Thank you all for your replies, gives me some more to think about. @Andy P that's a good trip on the multiple scenes, was not aware you can do that.

@larryllix thank you for your comments, I do understand the eprom side of it but I have to ask the question: then for what purpose is having the option to set a scene to a variable %? When would you use that?

@Bumbershoot I haven't used the adjust scene functionality yet, I will look at that further. Decision point will be how often I expect to switch between these "scenes" to figure out the best approach.

I have only used the scene adjustment to adjust my bedroom lights for daytime vs evening vs night time, on individual lamps. This is the only scene I use now because the response time from a MS is fast. Most of my lighting is with MagicHome WiFi bulbs now. They are fast enough when operated with vocal commands and much much cheaper than LampLincs.