Can an ELK M1 be programed to give a daily timed output based on a F button

[Porterbob]

I am just getting started with a newly installed ELK M1G. Can one of you tell me if I can do the following. (a sprinkler automation)
I would like set up a rule to have one of the M1 outputs occur for 15 minutes every day and continue to repeat each day without futher input. I want to launch this rule by pressing a function button on my keypad. I would like to also stop the rule until further notice by pressing a function button (preferrably the same button, like a toggle). And for the ultimate can I get the function button to light up when the rule is active and turn off if the rule is stopped?

The scenario, I want to automate a sprinkler. I would normally let it run day in and day out. But one in a while like last week, we get a tropical storm that provides 15 inches of rain in a Weekend and it would be great if a single button push could stop the sprinkler until we dry out, then with a single button push start again?

 

[Ira]

It would take two rules.

Set up a rule so that the F4 key toggles a "phantom output" (output 200 in the examples) when it is pressed. Assume output 25 turns on your sprinkler...

WHENEVER F4 ON ANY KEYPAD ACTIVATES
THEN TOGGLE Output 200
THEN TURN Output 25 (Sprinkler) OFF

Note: The last line in the rule above will cause the sprinkler to turn off if you press F4.

Set up a time-of-day rule that runs every day at the time you want your sprinkler to run, if F4 had been pressed to start it.

WHENEVER THE TIME IS 4:00 AM
AND Output 200 STATE IS ON
THEN TURN Output 25 (Sprinkler) ON FOR 15 MINUTES

Pressing F4 once will cause your sprinkler to run every day for 15 minutes starting at "the next 4:00AM", until F4 is pressed again. Pressing it again will stop the cycle immediately, until the next time F4 is pressed.

The above may take a little tweaking to get it exactly the way you want it, e.g., if you want to start the sprinkler immediately for 15 minutes when F4 is pressed, then at the same time every day afterward.

You can have the F4 key light up (or blink) based on the status of the phantom output (output 200, or whatever you choose to use). That's set in the keypad definition screen using Elk RP.

 

[apostolakisl]

Yes you can do that.

Set a function key to toggle a "ghost" output on/off. Also, in the keypad setup screen, set that same function button "illumination event" to be output 200 status. A "ghost" output is an output that isn't actually real, like output 200. Set the function key activate events to "disabled" or "non-alarm"

Whenever
Function Key is pressed
Then
toggle output 200

Write a second rule that says

Whenever
The time is xx:xx:xx
And output 200 is on
Then
Turn output (whatever you have your sprinkler plugged into) on for 15 minutes

 

[Spanky]

You can pretty much design a full blown sprinkler controller with the M1. You can add water sensors or do pulse counting from a rain guage pulser so that it does not sprinkle when it has rained recently.

Of course you can have the security system operational at the same time.

 

[tmbrown97]

You can pretty much design a full blown sprinkler controller with the M1. You can add water sensors or do pulse counting from a rain guage pulser so that it does not sprinkle when it has rained recently.

It's funny - when I read "Can an Elk M1 be programmed to..." - I automatically think "yes" - of course it can! Mine handles my irrigation - I'll take RP over an irrigation controller any day.

 

[apostolakisl]

It's funny - when I read "Can an Elk M1 be programmed to..." - I automatically think "yes" - of course it can! Mine handles my irrigation - I'll take RP over an irrigation controller any day.

There are work-arounds for almost anything that doesn't have an obvious solution. Although sometimes you need to use a lot of resources and my Elk is running out of room! And I as well have 17 sprinkler zones all controlled directly by the Elk.