The variables ability seems to be a whole world of functionality that I'm missing out on...I just don't get them.

 

However, today I thought of the following to see if I understand how variables can be useful. Please help me to justify if this is a valid use of variables or not.

 

I have a program which sends me and my wife an email and text each notifying if the garage doors have been open for greater than 30 mins. I now want to addend this program by sending a second notification that, if and only if either of our two garage doors REMAINS open for another 30 mins, then a repeat text/email would be sent. After this, for each one hour the garage door continues to remain open, keep sending texts/emails until the garage doors are closed or 5 hours have elapsed.

 

Would the variables functionality allow me to make this happen, and if so, any ideas how? My basic garage door program is as below:

 

If

Status 'Garage / Main Garage Door Sensor' is On

Or Status 'Garage / Small Garage Door Sensor' is On

 

Then

Wait 30 minutes

Send Notification to 'Joe Text'

Send Notification to 'Joe Email'

Send Notification to 'Liz Text'

Send Notification to 'Liz Email'

 

Else

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

 

 

Hello stillen_i30,

 

Two comments:

1. The way you have your program is correct and you do not need variables

2. Instead of having 4 Notification entries (which means ISY is going to send 4 different emails), simply add all four emails to one group (Configuration | Email & Notifications). You can have as many recipients as you wish per group. This way, ISY will send only one email and put all recipients on copy. Then you can have different groups for different scenarios

 

As far as variables, my rule is this:

1. You need to count something

2. You need an event that is not directly tied into status of devices or other events

 

With kind regards,

Michel

If

Status 'Garage / Main Garage Door Sensor' is On

Or Status 'Garage / Small Garage Door Sensor' is On

 

Then

Repeat 2 times

Wait 30 minutes

Send Notification to 'Joe Text'

Send Notification to 'Joe Email'

Send Notification to 'Liz Text'

Send Notification to 'Liz Email'

Repeat 4 times

wait 60 minutes

Send Notification to 'Joe Text'

Send Notification to 'Joe Email'

Send Notification to 'Liz Text'

Send Notification to 'Liz Email'

Else

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

Hello apostolakisl,

 

Any reason why you are not using a group for emails? The way you have it now means ISY will send separate emails for each recipient. With a group, it's just a cc to all.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

thanks for the replies. Did not know about group functionality, have changed it so that all texts and emails are in one group. Have also added the repeat commands, thanks again

Hello apostolakisl,

 

Any reason why you are not using a group for emails? The way you have it now means ISY will send separate emails for each recipient. With a group, it's just a cc to all.

 

With kind regards,

Michel

 

 

Cause I just cut and pasted his stuff to address the question about an email at 30 min, 60 min, and then hourly. Yes, I would bundle the emails. Sorry I should have been more clear that I was answering the timing part of things and leaving your stuff to stand for itself.