I have set up a scene that is triggered when one of my GE dimmers is turned on. I have connected the dimmer to a GE add-on switch, so I can operate the dimmer from both ends of the room.
Dimmer operation is immediate from the add-on switch, but it takes more than FIVE MINUTES before the scene is triggered. If I operate the dimmer directly, the trigger happens almost instantaneously.
Is this a known issue? Is there a solution or work-around? Do I need to file a bug report?
I do not believe that the GE dimmer supports instant status so the switch does not send its status to vera. Only when vera polls the switch does the status get updated. As a work around, when you press the dimmer switch, the dimmer sends a signal to vera saying that something has happened and vera polls sooner than normal (usually almost instant). Unfortunately, when you operate the add-on, this signal does not get sent so you have to wait for the next poll.
Lookup Lutron Patent regarding instant status.
Consider reducing the poll time on that specific dimmer.
Changing the Polling interval usually destabilizes the system. If you only have a couple of devices this can be a valid option.
If you more than a handful of devices … you really need to change the device for one with instant status … they cost a more because they have to pay royalties to the patent owner.
All of my switches have instant status … I knew I would need them for automation. I have some plugs (with the local push button to turn on) that do not have local status. These are all controlled by Vera … so it always knows what state they are in.
Just for info. My global poll time is 30 sec but I have 3 devices set at 5 seconds and all is okay so far. That said I do not have many scenes overlapping so that may help me.
I had the same problem in that I already had most light switches installed before I even heard of instant update. The work around I discussed above sorts me out most of the time but the 3 devices above needed back up from faster polling. Even then I sometimes get 20-30 sec delays.
Yikes this is bad news. I did not know about this “instant status” thing. I just installed six GE dimmers and five add-on switches. I was looking forward to doing some clever things with these switches, and would seem now that I can’t.
Settings a POLL time of 5 seconds on a device does NOT mean that device will get polled every 5 seconds.
It means the FASTEST it will get polled is every 5 seconds. Vera has a complicated/undocumented process for actually polling devices.
Often you only get faster times when all devices have faster poll times … and as I said … this starts to destabilize the system. It gets
bad faster as the number of devices increases. (it’s mot a linear algorithm).
Some of the non instant status switches changes get noticed if they are close to Vera (i.e. there is NO node hopping).
I realise it is not perfect and that is why i still get longer delays occasionally. I have tried to compensate a little by setting zero polling on devices where there is no local operation (scenes only) and so far i have been lucky i guess.
As a work around, when you press the dimmer switch, the dimmer sends a signal to vera saying that something has happened and vera polls sooner than normal (usually almost instant). Unfortunately, when you operate the add-on, this signal does not get sent so you have to wait for the next poll.
I think I see a solution for my dilemma. You see, I don’t need the scene triggered from both locations. If it only gets triggered from the dimmer and not the add-on switch that is fine. But I do want to avoid that the scene gets triggered several minutes late.
Is it possible, in LUA code or otherwise, to pick up on this “something happened” message coming from the dimmer? Is there any way to distinguish between operation from the dimmer itself and from the remote switch?
(Warning: I’m a programmer by trade. I just haven’t looked at the API yet. Feel free to speak jargon)
@RichardTSchaefer’s comments about polling are exactly right. One should not expect @Slartibartfast’s coincidental good fortune. There is no way to precisely control the polling interval and reducing the global polling interval on anything but a very small Z-Wave network will result in problems.
If you must have reliable scene or event triggering, then you must use a device that supports Instant Status.
[quote=“rpieket, post:1, topic:189091”]Dimmer operation is immediate from the add-on switch, but it takes more than FIVE MINUTES before the scene is triggered. If I operate the dimmer directly, the trigger happens almost instantaneously.
Is this a known issue?[/quote]There is a known issue at play here as well as the lack of Instant Status. When operating the main 12724 switch, you experience instant results because the main switch is sufficiently close to Vera that Vera is able to benefit from a pseudo Instant Status when the main switch broadcasts a Network Information Frame(NIF) when it is pressed.
When the add-on 12723 switch is pressed, no NIF is broadcast and Vera has no way of knowing about the state change until Vera polls the main switch.
Update - of sorts. I tried reducing the polling interval, both globally and on the specific device. No appreciable change in behavior.
Can anyone tell me if there is any way to distinguish in LUA between direct dimmer operation (which involves the “something changed - poll me now” message) and the remote switch operation?
[quote=“rpieket, post:13, topic:189091”](which involves the “something changed - poll me now” message)[/quote]I have no idea what you’re talking about there. There is no such message.
The only way to tell if a state change was initiated by Vera versus at the switch, such as for a manual override, would be to infer it.
For instance setting a variable or virtual switch when Vera executes a scene, but the variable won’t be set if the switch is manually operated. You can then use additional code to test the variable.
Unless you are already a Lua programmer, you will probably want to look at @RichardTSchaefer’s Program Logic Event Generator(PLEG). It will allow you to do stuff like that and a lot more without Lua.
(which involves the "something changed - poll me now" message)
I have no idea what you're talking about there. There is no such message.
I was referring to the comment from Slartibartfast "As a work around, when you press the dimmer switch, the dimmer sends a signal to vera saying that something has happened and vera polls sooner than normal"
The only way to tell if a state change was initiated by Vera versus at the switch, such as for a manual override, would be to infer it.
That's not exactly what I'm after. State changes from Vera are not the issue here. Rather, I need to tell whether the state change was initiated by operating the physical dimmer switch or by the physical add-on switch.
This is because when I operate the add-on switch, the change is reported five minutes after the fact. I’d rather not trigger the scene at all in that case.
[quote=“rpieket, post:15, topic:189091”]That’s not exactly what I’m after. State changes from Vera are not the issue here. Rather, I need to tell whether the state change was initiated by operating the physical dimmer switch or by the physical add-on switch.
This is because when I operate the add-on switch, the change is reported five minutes after the fact. I’d rather not trigger the scene at all in that case.
-Ron.[/quote]
As stated before the GE addon switches will always be a problem if your trying to trigger a scene. Even the GE main switches don’t officially support instant status and if far from the controller can also create huge delays. I have personally had no problem on GE main switches but I always tell anyone that plans on running a scene or using a switch as a trigger to use instant status or they could end up fighting the same battle u are.
[quote=“rpieket, post:15, topic:189091”]That’s not exactly what I’m after. State changes from Vera are not the issue here. Rather, I need to tell whether the state change was initiated by operating the physical dimmer switch or by the physical add-on switch.
This is because when I operate the add-on switch, the change is reported five minutes after the fact. I’d rather not trigger the scene at all in that case.[/quote]I understand now.
No, there’s no way to differentiate between the main switch and the add on switch being pressed.
Again, you need a switch with Instant Status.
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