Venstar TStat - programs to check/reset communication

[oskrypuch]

Well, decided to plunge into the TStat, too cool not to do, I am aware of the potential issues of the hanging communication that folks seem to get.

 

To that end, I wrote a set of programs to query the FAN status of the tstat, then flick it to ON, and check if it responded. If it didn't, then likely there is a problem, and it sends an email.

 

program check tstat.wait

If
       Time is  5:00:00AM

Then
       Run Program 'check tstat.set' (If)

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

 

program check tstat.set (disabled)

If
       Status  'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' is Fan Auto

Then
       Set 'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' Fan On
       Wait  5 seconds
       Run Program 'check tstat.check' (If)

Else
       Send Notification to 'oskrypuch - GMail' content 'TStat MAS error1'

 

program check tstat.check (disabled)

If
       Status  'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' is Fan On

Then
       Set 'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' Fan Auto
       Send Notification to 'oskrypuch - GMail' content 'TStat MAS responding'

Else
       Send Notification to 'oskrypuch - GMail' content 'TStat MAS error2'

 

 

I get an email if all is OK, or one of two error emails alerting me to a potential problem.

 

* Orest

[Sub-Routine]

Hi oskrypuch,

 

I like that idea very much.

 

Rand

[oskrypuch]

Thanks, and even better, so far so good.

 

* Orest

[oskrypuch]

The following change makes this whole matter relatively carefree.

 

When an error condition is noted, then the flash program is run, which resets the thermostats by killing power to them for 30 seconds. If you have only one thermostat, then you can use a 2450 or EZIO to interrupt the RED power wire to the thermostat, if you have a number of Venstars linked to a zone controller, then you can cut the power to the zone controller with an appliance module.

 

Here is the simple program to add ...

 

program flash tstat power (disabled)

 

If
  - No Conditions - (To add one, press 'Schedule' or 'Condition')

Then
       Wait  5 minutes 
       Set 'basement / Zone Controller / Tstat power' Off
       Wait  30 seconds
       Set 'basement / Zone Controller / Tstat power' On
       Wait  2 seconds
       Send Notification to 'oskrypuch - GMail'

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

 

Then, add the following line ...

       Run Program 'flash tstat power' (If)

 

to the ELSE statements in the two programs listed above after the error notification, here they are modified with this change ...

 

 

program check tstat.set (disabled) modified

If
       Status  'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' is Fan Auto

Then
       Set 'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' Fan On
       Wait  5 seconds
       Run Program 'check tstat.check' (If)

Else
       Send Notification to 'oskrypuch - GMail' content 'TStat MAS error1'
       Run Program 'flash tstat power' (If)

 

program check tstat.check (disabled) modified

If
       Status  'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' is Fan On

Then
       Set 'master bdrm / MAS - tstat - Main' Fan Auto
       Send Notification to 'oskrypuch - GMail' content 'TStat MAS responding'

Else
       Send Notification to 'oskrypuch - GMail' content 'TStat MAS error2'
       Run Program 'flash tstat power' (If)

 

 

And there you go, until SmartHome fixes the Venstar firmware, this will detect a communication error condition, inform you, then reset/fix the error condition and send a confirmatory email as well.

 

 

One caution, if you have a power outage, your furnace control will be left OFF after a power failure, as the relay engaged in the 2450s and EZIO and appliance modules will not survive a power cycle.

 

This is not unique to this program set, it will affect any code that relies on engaged insteon relays. Here is the fix to that ...

 

My ISY is UPS protected, so it will not reset on a power outage, a reboot is one way of assuming a power loss.

 

I have another set of programs that monitor for a power outage by querying the status of an unused relay output on an EZIO, that is normally set to ON. If it is found OFF, then an outage is presumed, and various actions are taken.

 

I have a better solution in the works that will pick up the outage immediately with no polling/querying required. Plan to add a delay action relay (OMRON, non-isteon), that will trigger a 2450 input 30 seconds after the power is restored after a power outage. That condition will in turn activate some programs in the ISY to do some clean up work.

 

* Orest

[oskrypuch]

The other way of sidestepping the power outage issue is to use the SwitchLinc relays. These WILL survive a power cycle with state preserved ...

 

Preserving relay setting across power failure

 

* Orest

[j0dan]

Thanks for the script! Will help me stay sane while I wait for the promised fixes.

[oskrypuch]

Thanks.

 

Yes, for me it has just become a curiosity. I dutifully monitor the email reports I get about the automatic thermostat resets periodically.

 

* Orest

[sanders2222]

Thanks *Orest for this refinement. I added the Venstar communication check programs you posted months ago. They worked gr8!

 

But for some reason, I have never experienced a communication error ever since I plugged one of my Access points directly into my PLM. Everything has worked since then.

 

I ran your programs for a few weeks but since I never got an error message, I disabled them. Not getting rid of them though! I'm about to venture into a new ELK security system with whole house audio distribution. That install will also relocate my PLM to that area because I can't stand that lump of plug-ins hanging off the wall in my den. I anticipate this may introduce a whole new set of communication issues. Hopefully, it won't be with my t-stat.

[oskrypuch]

... sort of like taking an umbrella with you, to prevent it from raining.

 

* Orest