Once I get all my hardware I will create an ‘away’ scene that looks something like this:
turn off all lights
turn on light by door for 5 minutes and then turn off
turn off water valve
set temperature to
I know I could kick off this scene using the iphone app. But I also want to be able to trigger the scene using a hard button. Here is where I am not sure what I need.
The only way this is going to work (that I can think of) is I will need to replace an existing light switch with the scene controller. Which means I need a controller that can control the light as well as a scene. I believe this type of controller is a Load controller, correct?
If so, any recommendations? If above is not correct, can you elaborate?
Even after reading the instructions, I am not clear on if this will work for me and if it does, how the heck you control it.
My confusion:
It says it can control 2 different loads directly. Since I am replacing a single light switch that controls a single light, I only have 1 load that needs to be controlled. Can I use this switch? Would the load 2 wire (the blue one according to the instructions) just not be connected to anything?
Operating the switch. How does a 2 button switch control 2 different loads AND 2 different scenes? All it says in the instructions under Operation is to Tap to turn lights on. Tap again to turn lights off. No mention of how to activate a scene.
A more general question: I want the pushing of the button to always activate, say, the scene noted above. It sounds like these buttons have an on and off state (led or no led). If I push the button once to activate the scene, what happens when I push it again?
So, am I even looking at the right piece of equipment to control a light and a couple of scenes? Or is there something else I should be looking at.
As a bit of an aside. How are people running controllers without load control? I mean, unless you are re-wiring your house or building new, doesn’t every existing switch control a load?
As a bit of an aside. How are people running controllers without load control? I mean, unless you are re-wiring your house or building new, doesn't every existing switch control a load?
You could potentially put them in a 3-way (or more) location. And if you have any switched outlets, you could make those permanently powered (and use it with a Z-Wave plug-in module, if desired; or put in a Z-Wave outlet), freeing up the switch location for a Z-Wave controller.
You could do what I do: I obtained one of the stand alone controllers that sits on a shelf in the hall near the outside door. The controller is programmed to have scene buttons that activate “away”, “vacation”, and other modes/scenes.
I use the HA07 controller, which I really like. They are currently being made by Wayne Dalton. There are other stand alone controllers that work well with Vera.
You’re correct leaving the blue wire disconnected. Also, you just bypass the step including that button as a switch. It will recognize it as a scene controller while including the entire unit in the 1st step.
Their description is a little misleading. Your top switch will be a switch, your bottom switch will be your scene(or visa versa) Mine finally both work as a switch, as I wanted them to, and in a sense, I’m limited to them as that.
The on/off LEDs simply show the state of the load. I hit my switch to turn off my light or fan, then about 1-3 seconds later Vera sends a command to turn the LED on or off to reflect the state of my light/fan. As a scene controller, you’re correct the LED may come on, then shut off when hitting it again. Irrelevant, though. If you want it to activate the 1 scene no matter what then you just program the button that way. When setting up the controller you have 2 settings: “Activate the following scenes when the buttons are turned on:” & “Activate the following scenes when the buttons are turned off:” Just add your scene to both options.
…or an easier option as aa6vh suggests.
If you’re a little crafty, I personally use Leviton’s 4-scene controllers by the back door & in the living room. I installed them in a single gang box, built it into a nice stained and varnished box wired to a lamp plug. They look nice, easier to set up, get great comments on them all the time, are cheaper than the 2 scene and you get more functionality out of them. We’re stuck in a very old house that we’ve had to get a little creative here and there.
Good luck however you plan it.
Best Home Automation shopping experience. Shop at Ezlo!
