Pool Light Automation Help...

Plugins & Plugin Development Program Logic (PLEG)
1

I have a pool light that I would like to turn on when I perform a quick on → off → on on my back porch light and turn off when I do a quick off → on → off.

So far I have tried:

TurnPoolOn = PatioOn@2<10

This gave me nothing. Never became true. Not sure why…

I also tried:

TurnPoolOn = (#PatioOn - #!PatioOn < 10)

Pool turns on and off regardless of how long I wait.

I have Leviton type toggle switches which are basically click to turn on then click to turn off so I can’t turn on multiple times in a row.

Any thoughts on best way to automate this?

Thanks!

PD

2

I usually use this type of expression:

TurnPoolOn PatioOn and (!PatioOn; PatioOn < 10)

It does require the switch to report instant-status.

3

Both methods work with a Leviton (but are different).

@pacificdune,

Does the status of the switch change ‘instantly’ in Vera when you toggle the switch itself?
To test things, you could first toggle the switch in Vera. Try @RexBeckett’s expression; this may be closer to what you are looking for.

4

Thanks Rex, oTi,

The status does change fairly “instantly”. I was able to watch this on my iPad.

I was able to get it to work, but need to wait about 3 seconds between clicks.

If I try click, click, click it does not work. It needs more like click one thousand click one thousand click spoken slowly…

I have a suspicion that this is just how it’s going to work. My wife is the most impatient person in the world and simply can’t do these waited clicks… Any way to make it respond to a rapid set of clicks? Or am I stuck…

Thanks!

PD

5
My wife is the most impatient person in the world...
Replace the patio light switch with a dual one and use the second to trigger the pool light. You will live to regret it if you don't. ;)
6

While I was able to do this with a non-instant status GE on/off switch successfully (no hops to vera).

I agree with Rex and save your marriage. You can always move that nice switch to another location to annoy your spouse. ;D

7

;D

@pacificdune,
Which switch are you using; VRS15? You can basically go as fast as you see the state switch in Vera / so what you said is possibly as good as it gets.

8

Hey! Thank you for all of the help!

Since it is incandescent light I’m using the VRI06.

I was just thinking that before z=wave, MicasaVerde, and PLEG this would have been many hundreds of dollars spent in electrical wiring or some other sub-optimal solution.

Now I have a pre-existing wall switch that has a second purpose doing something very useful for me.

This stuff is pretty cool.

Cheers!

PD