elk programming -- cant tie an ouput to a thermostat

[dBeau]

I'd like to have an output activated whenever a thermostat (aprilaire 8870) calls for heat. It seems that the M1G doesnt allow for this in a straightforward way (or perhaps it is so straightforward I cant see it). I've tried adding a couple of rules to watch the serial communication with the stat but have not had much luck.

WHENEVER THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS RECEIVED: "SN1 HVAC=G-Y1-W1+Y2-W2-B+O-^M" THROUGH PORT 3
THEN ACTIVATE fp-on [Task 6]
WHENEVER THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS RECEIVED: "SN1 HVAC=G-Y1-W1-Y2-W2-B+O-^M" THROUGH PORT 3
THEN ACTIVATE fp-off [Task 6]

I have verified that the text I am looking for does get sent by the stat when heat is call for and when it is no longer called for. Should the rules work? Is there a simpler way? Am I missing something with the rules above?

Thanks!

 

[Spanky]

If you are using a M1XSP in the Aprilaire configuration, all data strings from the Aprilaire interface is interpreted in the M1XSP. The data string is not sent to the M1 for Rule processing. To send the string to the M1, you would have to put the M1XSP in the normal data pass through mode. Unfortunately, the thermostat operation would not work in that mode.


There is not a signal from the M1XSP in the Aprilaire mode that can trigger a Rule when the Aprilaire thermostat calls for heat.

 

[dBeau]

There is not a signal from the M1XSP in the Aprilaire mode that can trigger a Rule when the Aprilaire thermostat calls for heat.

Is there any chance this will change with a firmware upgrade? It seems like a pretty severe limitation that would be easy to fix. Another way to deal with it would be if a rule could be triggered based on the temperature at a particular stat, but this too seems unsupported. I would have expected that a thermostat could be used much like a temperature sensor.

Thanks for the quick reply....

 

[Spanky]

You can use an AND part of a Rule and check for current temperature. Use a timed setting in the WHENEVER statement like every 5 minutes.


Thanks for the input!

 

[dBeau]

Thanks Spanky... that's just what I was looking for. I knew I had to be missing something.