How to use KPL to check light status.

[ingeborgdot]

I thought that I could check my light status of my basement etc. and turn it off if something was left on. I can't get my KPL button that I want to use for that to turn on when those basement lights are on. It turns on when I push the button to turn it on but it won't turn on when they are on. Maybe I am misunderstanding how to make it work. Thanks.

[oberkc]

If you want a KPL button to come on if one or more other devices happen to be on, then I believe you need to make a program such as:

 

if

status device A is on

or status of device B

or ...

then

turn KPL on

 

Depending on KPL button, you may need to create a scene that includes only the KPL button, then use that scene to turn the KPL button on or off.

[LeeG]

ingeborgdot

 

In addition to the Program approach. you can create a Scene where both the KPL button and the switch controlling the basement lights are defined as Controllers of the Scene. In this way both the KPL button and the switch can control the basement lights and both will indicate when the basement light is on.

 

If there are multiple switches involved in controlling the basement lights the Program is perhaps a better approach.

 

Remember that if the KPL button is a Secondary button, it will have to be a Responder in a Scene and the Program turn the Scene On/Off to control the KPL button LED. Secondary KPL button LEDs cannot be turned On/Off directly.

 

Lee

[ingeborgdot]

There are multiple switches for some so it will be best to make a program. I have If status all done but have a question about the then part. What do I select in that? Insteon, the KPL key and then ??? It has a on # and off #???

 

If I use button H do I need to create a scene? I had a scene created with the button and all the other switches to turn off. It turned them off fine but just no light with that scene. You say create a scene with only the KPL. What wording would I use? Thanks.

[LeeG]

ingeborgdot

 

Define an ISY Scene, right click on KeypadLinc button H, select Add to Scene…, add the KPL button as a Responder.

 

In the Program select Insteon, from the device/scene pulldown list select the ISY Scene defined above, select On or Off to turn Scene On/Off which will turn Secondary KPL button H on/off.

 

Lee

[ingeborgdot]

So I don't need a scene with all the switches in them with the KPL. Okay.

[oberkc]

What do I select in that? Insteon, the KPL key and then ??? It has a on # and off #???

 

I am sorry, but I have no idea what this means.

 

If I use button H do I need to create a scene?

 

Yes

 

I had a scene created with the button and all the other switches to turn off. It turned them off fine but just no light with that scene.

 

Was the button the only controller of the scene? I would expect that if you turned this scene on via ISY admin panel, the button would come on.

 

You say create a scene with only the KPL. What wording would I use?

 

Yes, I suggested this. You would create this scene just as you would create any other. From the admin panel, choose the new scene button. Give it a name. Add the button to that scene, as a responder. No "wording" is required.

[oberkc]

So I don't need a scene with all the switches in them with the KPL. Okay.

 

You would still require this scene if you want your lights to come on or turn off in response to a press of the button (KPL button H, in your case).

[LeeG]

ingeborgdot

 

If KeypadLinc button H should turn On and Off ALL the basements light switches, an ISY Scene with KPL button H as a Controller and all the basement light switches as Responders.

 

If any basement switch turning On should also turn On KPL button H, a Program that checks the Status of all the basement light switches, turning On an ISY Scene that has KPL button H as a Responder when any basement switch is On is needed.

 

Another Program which checks that all basement switches are Off and turns the ISY Scene Off that has KPL button H as Responder.

 

Defining the objective would be good if the above does not cover what you are looking for.

 

Lee

[ingeborgdot]

Okay, I have the scene with all the switches I want to turn off with the KPL H as controller.

I have a program which has all the switches on turn the button H on.

 

The last program I am not sure what to do. What would I need to do the check all switches are off etc. Thanks for your help.

 

Oberkc, sorry about that. I tend to think that everyone knows what I am talking about even if I don't

[LeeG]

ingeborgdot

 

The Program would have

 

If Status switch A is Off

and Status switch B is Off

and Status switch C is Off

Then

Set scenekplH Off

 

Lee

[ingeborgdot]

I am doing something wrong. Here is what happens. If I turn it on at the direct source of the switch, the light on button H does not come on. But if I go into the isy and go to my scene where button H controls all the lights to go off and turn them on in there the light on H will come on and I can go and turn it off from H. Even if the light is not on at the button it will turn off the lights so I am missing something somewhere. What is it?

[oberkc]

If I turn it on at the direct source of the switch, the light on button H does not come on.

 

"direct source of the switch"? Another statement that I am having trouble understanding.

 

My perception is that you are making us guess too much what it is you want to do. Please identify the names of every device to which you want KPL-H to respond. Then post your programs as they exist. Then describe what is is that you are trying to achieve and which of those objectives are not being met.

 

This is a pretty simple programming example. I suspect that we are failing to understand what it is that you are trying to do.

[ingeborgdot]

Okay, lets say the switch to the snack room. That is one of the switches that I want to make sure is off when I go upstairs. That is the main switch to snack room. I turn it on at the source (the switch to the snack room) and go upstairs and check and button H is not on. If I am in my isy and turn it on at the scene the light to H turns on and when I push it the light goes off at the source and so does H. Does this make sense? I will post my programs.

 

This just came to me, if my switch to the snack room (the direct source button)(the main switch) is also on another KPL do I need to include it in my program or scene?

[ingeborgdot]

If

Status 'Control Room' is On

Or Status 'Downstairs Bathroom C/ Lights' is On

Or Status 'Downstairs Bathroom M/Lights' is On

Or Status 'HT Table lamp' is On

Or Status 'Hallway' is On

Or Status 'Little Projector Light' is On

Or Status 'Movie Screen Room' is On

Or Status 'Office' is On

Or Status 'Sconce' is On

Or Status 'Snack Room' is On

Or Status 'Stairway Light' is On

Or Status 'Storage Room' is On

Or Status 'Theater Seating Room' is On

 

Then

Set Scene 'Basement Light Check' On

 

Else

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

 

If

Status 'Control Room' is Off

And Status 'Downstairs Bathroom C/ Lights' is Off

And Status 'Downstairs Bathroom M/Lights' is Off

And Status 'HT Table lamp' is Off

And Status 'Hallway' is Off

And Status 'Little Projector Light' is Off

And Status 'Movie Screen Room' is Off

And Status 'Office' is Off

And Status 'Sconce' is Off

And Status 'Snack Room' is Off

And Status 'Stairway Light' is Off

And Status 'Storage Room' is Off

And Status 'Theater Seating Room' is Off

 

Then

Set Scene 'Basement Light Check' Off

 

Else

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

 

 

Here are the two programs I have.

[ingeborgdot]

Okay, these are the lights that I have downstairs. I want to make sure they are all off as I sometimes leave them on. I want to be able to see button H light on if any of these are on and be able to push button H and shut it or them down. When they are all of I want button H to shut off. Yes, this should be simple but you are talking about a rookie doing this.

 

I can do lots of things and am good at lots of things but this is not one of them as I am new to this and don't do it enough to become good at it. I know I will become good at it one day when I get some time to play with it with many days in succession but now I do a little here and a little there and forget some things when I have had a couple of weeks or months in between the programming. Sorry for the ignorance but just have patience with me. Thanks for the help you have given.

[LeeG]

ingeborgdot

 

Some basic things to check

 

Be sure the Save Changes button was clicked to make the Programs active

Are the Programs marked Enabled

When the basement light is turned On does the Admin Console show the Current State as On for the basement light

Cycle the basement light Off to On as if the light was already On before the Program was saved it needs to detect a change in status to run

If the Current State is On what does the “last run time†column say for the Program that turns On the KPL button H Scene

 

Lee

 

EDIT: do not not worry about it. We were ALL at one time where you are now. Asking questions is one way to learn. Some really nice things can be done with the ISY once you get the hang of the basics.

[oberkc]

Thank you for posting your programs. I expect these to do as you have stated that you want. Unless I misunderstand your expectations, I would look somewhere other than the program.

 

Now that we know the names of the devices, please describe what your system is doing that is contrary to your expectations. Please use the device names when you describe this behaviour.

 

Many of LeeGs questions are aimed at the possibility of communication failure or device failure. Answering those will help narrow the solution to your problem. In general, I would compare the status of the actual devices in your program to the status shown in the ISY admin panel (does the ISY say it is off when the actual device is actually on?). See if there are any that don't match.

[ingeborgdot]

I have been gone for several hours and then came back and noticed that it does work now. The light turns on in button H like it is supposed to. I am not familiar enough with the isy to know why it now works and earlier it did not. The only thing that is not working is the KPL that the other lights are attaced to. They stay lit after button H shuts it all down but I am pretty sure I know what I need to to. Add the KPL buttons into the one scene with all the other switches and it should shut them down right? Or do I add them to the shut down program?

[LeeG]

Scene commands DO NOT cascade. Sending a Scene On/Off to a KeypadLinc button does NOT cause the responders of that KPL button to turn On/Off. Any devices that you want to turn On/Off need to be responders of the Scene.

[ingeborgdot]

Okay, so how do I get the buttons on the KPL downstairs to shut off when all of the lights get shut off? The KPL are secondary switches to the main switchlincs.

[LeeG]

ingeborgdot

 

Is there a button on the KPL downstairs for each switch it controls or does a single button control multiple switches (like KPL button H).

 

If the later, a single KPL button that controls multiple switches, simply replicate what you did for KPL button H for the downstairs KPL button.

 

If there is a one for one relationship, one KPL button for 1 switch, then simply cross link the switch and KPL button. Make the KPL button and the switch Controllers of the same Scene. This arrangement keeps both devices in Sync. If there is a one for one relationship and the KPL button turns the switch On/Off but the switch does not turn the KPL button On/Off the KPL button is linked as a Controller and the switch is linked as a Responder only. The switch needs to be both a Controller and a Responder in a one for one relationship. The ISY automatically makes a device a Responder when it is defined as a Controller of an ISY Scene.

 

Lee

[ingeborgdot]

One button controls one switchlinc.

[LeeG]

ingeborgdot

 

Keeping the basement KPL buttons and their individually controlled switches in sync are as simple as making the KPL button and switch a Controller of the Scene for those two devices.

 

To turn Off the basement KPL buttons and the switches controlled by those buttons from KPL button H upstairs, each basement KPL button and each switch controlled by those buttons should be responders to the Scene controlled by KPL button H. Also the Program that detects all switches Off would need those additional switches added to the list of devices in the If statement if those devices should also control the Program operation.

 

As far as Insteon is concerned the world is flat. Only those devices that are explicitly defined as responders to a Scene are controlled by the Scene. As I mentioned before, Scenes do not cascade. Turning a KPL button Off does not cause the responders of the KPL button to turn Off.

 

Lee

[ingeborgdot]

After sleeping and doing some tests it now works. I guess it just took some time for all the switches and things to sync or something. It now functions like you guys said it should and like I want it to. Thanks for your help.