How are you using the ELK module??

[ryarber]

I wanted to see what people are doing with the ELK modules. I also would like to know where people find the ELK rules to be superior or more capable than ISY programs.

 

As of now, I've moved ALL my ELK rules to the ISY. I went from 27 ELK rules to 4. The ISY programs seem to be much more reliable than using the ELK to initiate Insteon events. Before, I was using keypad buttons as triggers to trigger ISY programs. The ELK would activate a KPL button and the ISY would see it and perform actions.

 

Currently, I'm using the armed state of the ELK (vacation, away, and night) to adjust thermostats and activate lighting scenes.

 

I am also setting the ISY to randomize certain lights when the armed state of the ELK is in vacation mode.

 

My ELK system monitors my garage doors. Before, I had the ELK activating a scene to a KPL button to let the ISY know if a garage door was open or not. Now, the ISY monitors the status of the garage door via the ELK module and performs the program to turn on or off the KPL button. (Much more reliable this way).

 

I also have some programs that will turn on a light based on a door opening or closing. I am using the outputs within the ELK to time the lights. This is one area where I think the ELK is more efficient. You can get the ELK to turn on an output (based on a rule) and set it to a timer. The timer can be restarted by some other ELK rule. I am really glad you can monitor the outputs via the module. I think this is a function of the ELK that isn't easy to program for in the ISY, but is relatively easy to write a rule for in the ELK.

 

I am not really using the ELK motion sensors within the ISY. I would love to hear other ways you folks are using the interface.

 

Thanks.

[Chris Jahn]

... I also have some programs that will turn on a light based on a door opening or closing. I am using the outputs within the ELK to time the lights. This is one area where I think the ELK is more efficient. You can get the ELK to turn on an output (based on a rule) and set it to a timer. The timer can be restarted by some other ELK rule. ...

Hi ryarber,

 

I know you mentioned some Elk rules may be easier to use, but I just want to make sure you aware that you can turn on an Elk Output with an off timer, and readjust that timer using ISY programs.

[ryarber]

That's good to know. I hadn't that yet.

 

Thanks.

[apostolakisl]

So far I have moved every rule that had anything to do with lights over to ISY. It works better, no doubt.

 

I have not moved anything to ISY yet that is strictly and Elk issue. Mostly these are things that control the Elk outputs. I have about 50 rules alone that run my irrigation. I moved about 30 rules into programs on ISY and am now down to about 85 rules in Elk.

 

I am considering moving the irrigation over. Elk runs the irrigation just great, but it isn't easy to adjust the zone times. I am using "cutom settings" so that I don't have to sift through the rules, but I am forced to put the times as seconds. Since my brain doesn't really do seconds past about 300 or so, I have to pull out the calculator.

 

I am not sure, however that there is a better way to do it in ISY. I just got the irrigation module on ISY and haven't played with it at all yet. So many things, so little time!

 

Odds are, any new "rules" will probably be written in ISY. Mostly it is just becuase it is so much easier to be organized in ISY. Having over 100 rules in Elk and no file structure is a pain.