Unable to Set Dim Level of LampLinc 2457D2 from Program

[pleo]

Hello,

First off let me say that this is a great community and it has been awesome in helping me set up my new ISY-99i system.

 

I'm having an issue using a program to set the dim level on my LampLinc 2457D2 R1.0. The ISY-99i has firmware version 2.7.15. The LampLinc ('Hallway Light') is set with an On Level of 100% and Ramp Rate of 0.5 sec.

 

If the following program runs:

If
 Time is Sunset
Then
 Set 'Hallway Light' 30%
Else
 - No Actions -

 

...the LampLinc always comes on at 100%. I've tried creating a Scene with the LampLinc as the only device with an On Level of 30%, but it also comes on at 100%. I've also tried an "On" command, followed by a "Set 30%" command, but the light still doesn't change from 100%. However, I can manually change the dim level with MobiLinc or the web interface after the light is turned on.

 

Since I'm new to this, it's quite possible that I'm missing something obvious. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Michel Kohanim]

Hello pleo,

 

What happens if you try to dim/brighten using the main screen?

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[pleo]

Hi Michel,

Thanks for your response. The LampLinc does successfully acknowledge and perform the Dim and Brighten commands, in about 20% increments, from the Main screen of the Admin Console.

 

If it helps, I wrote the following test program and posted the results of each step in parenthesis:

Then
 Set 'Hallway Light' Off  (lights turns off correctly)
 Wait 5 seconds
 Set 'Hallway Light' 30% (light turns on 100%)
 Wait 5 seconds
 Set 'Hallway Light' 30% (light dims to 30% correctly)
 Wait 5 seconds
 Set 'Hallway Light' 95% (light brightens to 95% correctly)
 Wait 5 seconds
 Set 'Hallway Light' 30% (light dims to 30% correctly)

 

However, if I take the "wait" out...

Then
 Set 'Hallway Light' Off  (lights turns off)
 Wait 5 seconds
 Set 'Hallway Light' 30% (light turns on 100%)
 Set 'Hallway Light' 30% (command is ignored; light stays at 100%)

[LeeG]

This sounds like a hardware issue but you can tell for sure by turning on the ISY Event Viewer Tools/Diagnostics and select Change Level to level 3. The cmd2 value contains the Bright level for On command. Either the cmd2 value will be something much smaller than 0xFF (255) for the 30% Dim that does not work or not. If the cmd2 value is 0xFF then it is an ISY question but I doubt that will be the case.

 

If you have any trouble analyzing the Event Log post the results.

[Michel Kohanim]

Hi pleo,

 

I would have to echo LeeG's observation. It's also possible that you have other programs that turn that light on to 100%. It would be best to disable all other programs while testing.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

[LeeG]

This is a sample Event Viewer trace level 3 of a Set ON followed by a Set 30%. The first ON command has a Bright level of cmd2=0xFF which is full bright. The second ON command has a Bright level of cmd2=0x4C which the ISY generated to bring to 30% Bright. If the device is being told to come on to something close to cmd2=0x4C but is coming on full bright then it is a hardware issue.

 

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:17 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 12.B4.E1 0F 11 FF 06 LTONRR (FF)

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:17 PM : [iNST-SRX ] 02 50 12.B4.E1 12.9F.E4 2B 11 FF LTONRR (FF)

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:17 PM : [standard-Direct Ack][12.B4.E1-->ISY/PLM Group=0] Max Hops=3, Hops Left=2

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:17 PM : [ 12 B4 E1 1] ST 255

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:21 PM : [iNST-ACK ] 02 62 12.B4.E1 0F 11 4C 06 LTONRR (4C)

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:21 PM : [iNST-SRX ] 02 50 12.B4.E1 12.9F.E4 2B 11 4C LTONRR (4C)

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:21 PM : [standard-Direct Ack][12.B4.E1-->ISY/PLM Group=0] Max Hops=3, Hops Left=2

 

Sun 07/18/2010 02:26:21 PM : [ 12 B4 E1 1] ST 76

[pleo]

Thank you both for your responses and helping me understand the log files.

 

I created a program that simply sets the light at 30%. Below is the log. It appears that the ISY device is issuing the correct command, but I have something extra immediately following the 30% command. I can pick out that the ST 255 means full brightness, but I don't know what causes it (Standard "Group"?). I did try disabling all other programs but had the same result. Any ideas?

 

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [        Time] 23:12:55 0(0)

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [iNST-ACK    ] 02 62 14.4B.11 0F 11 4C 06          LTONRR (4C)

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 14.4B.11 0F.2B.3E 2B 11 4C    LTONRR (4C)

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [standard-Direct Ack][14.4B.11-->ISY/PLM Group=0] Max Hops=3, Hops Left=2

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [  14 4B 11 1]       ST  76

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 14.4B.11 00.00.01 CB 11 00    LTONRR (00)

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [standard-Group][14.4B.11-->Group=1] Max Hops=3, Hops Left=2

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [  14 4B 11 1]      DON   0

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [  14 4B 11 1]       ST 255

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [iNST-SRX    ] 02 50 14.4B.11 0F.2B.3E 41 11 01    LTONRR (01)

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [standard-Cleanup][14.4B.11-->ISY/PLM Group=1] Max Hops=1, Hops Left=0

[LeeG]

You are correct in the conclusion that the ISY issued the right command to turn the LampLinc on to 30%. Also the ACK that the LampLinc sent back indicates the LampLinc turned on to 30%. Smartlabs updated LampLincs quite some time ago to send a Group 1 On message if/when it detects that the LampLinc has been turned on manually. That is the Group 1 ON

trace entry that follows the Program issued 30% ON. The first message is a Group Broadcast and the second is the follow up Group Cleanup Direct issued by the LampLinc itself.

 

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [iNST-SRX ] 02 50 14.4B.11 00.00.01 CB 11 00 LTONRR (00)

Sun 07/18/2010 11:12:52 PM : [iNST-SRX ] 02 50 14.4B.11 0F.2B.3E 41 11 01 LTONRR (01)

 

I would look at the load the LampLinc is controlling. A lose bulb, or maybe a bulb that is near the end of its life cycle and the filament is intermittent when initially turned ON by the program. We have seen this happen when someone walks by a bulb that is loose in the socket or near the end of its life cycle. Try a different light fixture plugged into the LampLinc or a new bulb for starters.

[pleo]

LeeG, you are awesome! Thank you for taking the time to explain the details of the Log files and the Group commands.

 

I tried hooking up a different lamp, but I still had the same issue. However, after re-reading the LampLinc manual, I found the instructions for disabling this Load Sensing "feature" (which is enabled by default) After turning Load Sensing off, my lights now turn on at 30% instead of full power and my logs no longer contain the extra Group commands.

 

In case anyone else has the same issue, you can disable Load Sensing by performing the following on the LampLinc device:

 

1. Press & hold the Set button on LampLinc until it beeps (3 seconds)

The LampLinc Status LED will begin blinking green

 

2. Double-tap the Set button on LampLinc

LampLinc will beep and its Status LED will stop blinking and turn on solid green if the load is on or solid red if it is off

 

Source: http://wiki.smarthome.com/index.php?title=2457D2_Manual#Enabling_.2F_Disabling_Load_Sensing_on_LampLinc

 

Thanks again LeeG and Michel for your quick responses and vast knowledge!