Looking for a better way (Random)

[jmed999]

I currently have this program to light 2 lamps when someone enters the house...

 

Living Room Lamps

If
       From    Sunset 
       To      Sunrise (next day)
   And (
            Elk Zone 'Front Door' is Violated
         Or Elk Zone 'Garage Entry Dr' is Violated
       )

Then
       Set Scene 'Living Room Lamps' Fast On
       Wait  5 minutes 
       Set Scene 'Living Room Lamps' Fast Off

Else
       Wait  5 minutes 
       Set Scene 'Living Room Lamps' Fast Off

 

I would also like to add a program to randomly turn those lamps on and off while we are away so I have this...

 

Random Lights

If
       From    Sunset 
       To      Sunrise (next day)
   And Program 'Living Room Lamps' is False
   And Elk Area 'The Home' 'Armed State' is Armed Away

Then
       Set 'Insteon Bulb 1' On
       Wait  1 minute  (Random)
       Set 'Insteon Bulb 1' Off
       Set 'Insteon Bulb 2' On
       Wait  1 minute  (Random)
       Set 'Insteon Bulb 2' Fast Off
       Run Program 'Random Lights' (Then Path)

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

 

Is there a better way to do this? The lamps aren't very random. They just turn on for 1 minute then the other one turns on for 1 minute.

 

Thoughts?

[oberkc]

They just turn on for 1 minute then the other one turns on for 1 minute

 

That "random" is not working?

[jmed999]

It doesn't seem to be working.

[arw01]

Well, at 1 minute, what do you expect them to do? Turn on and off every minute or so like a light show?

 

Extend the time to like 15 minutes or 30 minutes. It might give you a more human touch.

[jmed999]

So if I change it to 15 minutes and random it will just wait for 15 minutes right? What does selecting random do?

 

Thanks for the help!

[oberkc]

According to the wiki, choosing a "random" wait will vary the time between zero and the specified time. I am unsure if it is multiples of seconds, minutes, or something else. Try it and see how it works with a longer period.

[LeeG]

I ran this test Program with 5 Wait 1 minute (Random) statements. The actual Wait times were 26, 17, 0, 51, and 2 seconds. This was run on 3.3.9 (RC6). A Wait 1 minute Random seems to be working okay here.

 

Then

Send X10 'A1/On (3)'

Wait 1 minute (Random)

Send X10 'A1/On (3)'

Wait 1 minute (Random)

Send X10 'A1/On (3)'

Wait 1 minute (Random)

Send X10 'A1/On (3)'

Wait 1 minute (Random)

Send X10 'A1/On (3)'

Wait 1 minute (Random)

Send X10 'A1/On (3)'

 

Else

 

Wed 01/16/2013 10:14:43 PM : [X10] A1/On (3)

26 second wait

Wed 01/16/2013 10:15:09 PM : [X10] A1/On (3)

17 second wait

Wed 01/16/2013 10:15:26 PM : [X10] A1/On (3)

0 second wait

Wed 01/16/2013 10:15:26 PM : [X10] A1/On (3)

51 second wait

Wed 01/16/2013 10:16:17 PM : [X10] A1/On (3)

2 second wait

Wed 01/16/2013 10:16:19 PM : [X10] A1/On (3)