Best Way to Have Elk Shut Down Lights

[apostolakisl]

When I arm my Elk "away", I would like it to shut off all of the lights in the house, except, I would like to have my ambient background lights that are running on an ISY program to stay on, provided it is during the designated time period.

If the Elk/ISY integration package were done, this would be easier. But, according to UD forum, they have hit some snags and this module has been delayed.

So, I had two ideas, but they seem clumsy.

Writing Rules in Elk:

Idea one turns everything off then turns "night routine" back on using two rules:

Whenever arm away
then shut off my lighting

Whenever arm away
And it is after sunset
And it is before 11pm
turn on night routine

(I believe with Elk rules, they run in order, so it would first shut the lights off, then turn them back on)

And here is idea two:

Whenever arm away
Turn off scene (everything except night routine lights)

(here I would need to create a gigantic scene with every single light except those in night routine)


These just seem clumsy to me and was wondering if anyone had a better idea. I wish there was a command to turn off "everything except"

Lou

 

[mustangcoupe]

one thing I did granted my light control is in ELVE but is ....

when armed away
AND zone x (main door) I use becomes secure
then turn lights off...

it gives me a chance to get out of the house before going into the light sequence.

 

[wuench]

I pretty much use your second idea. But I would turn the lights off after the exit timer expires, so you can still see on your way out. :lol:

 

[apostolakisl]

one thing I did granted my light control is in ELVE but is ....

when armed away
AND zone x (main door) I use becomes secure
then turn lights off...

it gives me a chance to get out of the house before going into the light sequence.

I have a keyfob that I hit from the car that arms away and shuts the garage door, so that wouldn't be so much of an issue for me. But this is a good idea and I might put that in for the occasional time I arm from the keypad. You could also put it in as a 1 or 2 minute delay. Currently I have it set to shut my house water off after 30 minutes and I could just tack it on to the same timer but have it trip when the counter hits the 2 minute mark.

 

[apostolakisl]

I went ahead and implemented the all lights off followed by turning the "nigth routine" lights back on. It works but just seems sloppy that the lights turn off for a split second and then back on. I guess no one will be home to see it so oh well.

 

[tmbrown97]

By nature of scenes, you won't really get it any other way. Your other option is to use two scenes - one for Armed Away and one for Night Mode - not have the lights overlap. When Exit Timer Expires, set scene Armed Away; followed by "If scene Armed Away is activated and "It is Dark outside" and it is before 1145PM then turn on night scene; else turn off night scene"

A Scene is a broadcast message - it's not directed to each switch in the scene individually - instead, each switch is set to listen for that scene - and if it sees it, it knows what to do; so without being able to program logic directly in each switch, it won't happen without some weirdness.