Best way to configure an "Away or Home" button on KeypadLinc

[rmlinnovator]

Just getting started programing my home.

 

I have some keypadlinc's by my front door and garage door. I want to make 1 of the buttons (button H on the 8 button) an away button so that I can hit it and have it turn off all the lights and turn down the Venstar.

 

What's best program or scene?

 

How do I cross link the buttons so the status updates on both keypadlincs?

[LeeG]

Rmlinnovator

 

Regarding the cross-linking define an ISY Scene adding both KeypadLinc Secondary buttons as Controllers of the ISY Scene. ISY assumes a Controller is also a Responder and will cross-cross link the buttons so the button LEDs stay in Scene.

 

I prefer Scenes over Programs as there is no latency (very small delay) associated with the ISY receiving a command, invoking a Program which issues an Action. The ISY Scene that is cross-linking the KeypadLinc buttons can have whatever devices you want to turn Off as Responders to the same Scene. In addition the KeypadLinc buttons should be put into non-toggle Off mode so the button only turns devices Off. Otherwise turning the KeypadLinc button On will turn all the responders On (unless that is what you want).

 

If a Program (rather than adding the devices as responders to the Scene) is used different Actions could be assigned to the ON versus OFF. OFF could turn all the devices OFF and perform a tstat setback. The ON could turn On some devices and change the tstat to a normal temp. The KeypadLinc buttons would not be placed in non-toggle mode for this implementation.

 

With the ISY there are lots of choices.

 

Not sure about the tstat setback. Do not have one so I don’t know if that can be part of the same Scene. I’m sure others will jump in here.

 

Lee

[oberkc]

I will let you decide what is best. I agree with LeeG that scenes are generally preferable. However, for the going-away button, I chose a program. This offered two benefits. One, I could add a delay to allow me time to leave. Two, I could take advantage of programs already in place that perform the same function at different times. I assume that a program could also take care of your thermostat. In my case, I also use that button for a second function, to adjust various program schedules. The button being on signifies an away condition...off is home and a lot of lights come on at sunset. When away, fewer lights come on at night.

 

The program looks something like:

 

if
control 'keypad' is set on

then
wait 5 minutes
run program 'turn inside lights off' then path
run program 'turn outside lights off' then path

 

The two programs already existed and were otherwise schedule to run at the end of the day.

 

The actual lighting schedule is also based on programs. I have home programs in folders active when the "away" button is off (at home). I have other programs in folders active when the "away" button is on (away).

[Goose66]

Scenes are very limited in this scenario, because the control is basically limited to the control of the scene. So to turn off lights, you have to turn off the scene, which also turns off the keypad buttons. But you may want the keypad buttons to be On for away, while the lights are turned off. Similar issues exists when turning the scene back on.

 

I have a program for Vacation mode in my house that serves a similar purpose to your "Home" vs. "Away." There is one program to set vacation mode on, and one to turn it off. I can run these programs by KPL button press or from my Mobilinc Pro on my iPhone, so that I can put the house in vacation mode when I am leaving by pressing a KPL button, and then turn off vacation mode from the plane on the way home, so the house is toasty warm when I arrive. The programs also set a status flag, which is used by other timed programs that run every day to decide how to operate (such as indoor and outdoor lighting, holiday lighting, random security lighting, etc.)

 

Here is the "Set Vacation On" program:

 

If
       Control 'Main Floor / Garage Keypad-Vacation' is switched On
   Or Control 'Basement / Door Keypad-Vacation' is switched On

Then
       Set 'Master Suite / Upstairs HVAC - Main' 62° (Heat Setpoint)
       Set 'Master Suite / Upstairs HVAC - Main' 85° (Cool Setpoint)
       Set 'Main Floor / Downstairs HVAC - Main' 62° (Heat Setpoint)
       Set 'Main Floor / Downstairs HVAC - Main' 85° (Cool Setpoint)
       Set 'Basement / Basement HVAC - Main' 62° (Heat Setpoint)
       Set 'Basement / Basement HVAC - Main' 85° (Cool Setpoint)
...
       Set Scene 'Status / KPL Status LED-Vacation' On
       $VacationState  = 1

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

Note that the 'KPL Status LED-Vacation' scene has all KPL buttons as responders, so turning this scene on or off controls all the KPL button lights. The $VacationState flag is used in several other programs that run daily.

 

Here is the "Set Vacation Off" program:

 

If
       Control 'Main Floor / Garage Keypad-Vacation' is switched Off
   Or Control 'Basement / Door Keypad-Vacation' is switched Off

Then
       $VacationState  = 0
       Set Scene 'Outdoor / KPL Status LED-Vacation' Off
...
       Set 'Master Suite / Upstairs HVAC - Main' 78° (Cool Setpoint)
       Set 'Master Suite / Upstairs HVAC - Main' 68° (Heat Setpoint)
       Set 'Main Floor / Downstairs HVAC - Main' 68° (Heat Setpoint)
       Set 'Main Floor / Downstairs HVAC - Main' 78° (Cool Setpoint)

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

Good Luck!

[rmlinnovator]

Great Feedback. Thanks for the advice guys. This is very helpful info which has helped get my mind rolling on how I want to program this.

 

[apostolakisl]

I would not have pushing the keypad link button turn the lights off and lower the furnace.

 

Instead, I would have the "armed away" status of the alarm do that. Then no matter how you arm the system the lights will turn off and the furnace shut down. This is how I have my home system.

 

And I agree with the above method of linking the two keypad link buttons into one scene. Then using the scene status to set the alarm.

 

In addition to that, I would right a program that turns the scene on when the system is armed away. In this way, if you arm the system using a different method, the button will still light up.