Hi! Brand new to this (z-wave + InControl) and have some rookie questions. I've ordered the USB controller + software, two switches, and a lock and am waiting for them all to arrive.
In playing with the software, I don't understand how I use "Rooms". I don't seem to able to select them anywhere.
How do I use the "Weather" device?
I created a virtual light switch, and can't figure out something very basic. How do I make it toggle? If it's off, turn it on or if it's on turn it off.
Any help for a rookie newbie?
Thanks.
Beginner Help
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- Last Post 07 January 2014
rspoto
posted this
04 January 2014
Ryan-Scott
posted this
04 January 2014
Hi! Brand new to this (z-wave + InControl) and have some rookie questions. I've ordered the USB controller + software, two switches, and a lock and am waiting for them all to arrive.
In playing with the software, I don't understand how I use "Rooms". I don't seem to able to select them anywhere.
How do I use the "Weather" device?
I created a virtual light switch, and can't figure out something very basic. How do I make it toggle? If it's off, turn it on or if it's on turn it off.
Any help for a rookie newbie?
Thanks.
Hey, welcome! I'd suggest you head over to www.incontrolha.com and check out some of the tutorials and recipes. In particular, look at the one for Christmas lights and Security system.
As for the virtual device.. are you trying to make a specific scene or something to make it go off or on or do you mean literally toggling the power on it?
rspoto
posted this
04 January 2014
Thank you for the link, I'll check that out!! I'm just trying to figure out how to use the software, so simply trying to make a scene or something that will literally just toggle the power on the switch from the state it's in to the other.
SickPup404
posted this
04 January 2014
Also, I think "Rooms" were a leftover feature from an older version. Seems to be just handy for organization to me...
The biggest tips that have solved most of my equipment issues:
- Always "remove" or "exclude" a device from the network FIRST before you add it - even right out of the package. I know, counter-intuitive, but it works.
- Even though you can add via ICHA, I prefer to do it with the controller stick. Seems to work the best for my setup. Once it's plugged back in, a few network heals settle things out.
Please be sure to post whenever you have questions or need help! I'm also relatively new to this ZWave stuff (came from many years of HomeSeer/X10 a few months ago).
HTH!
monkey-magic
posted this
04 January 2014
Thank you for the link, I'll check that out!! I'm just trying to figure out how to use the software, so simply trying to make a scene or something that will literally just toggle the power on the switch from the state it's in to the other.
To just toggle the power switch there are two main ways. Either on the server, on the app, press the power button or get the phone app and toggle the device from there.
Mostly and the idea for home automation is to turn the device on and off via a scene. In the scene you set a trigger which might be a certain time to automatically power the device.
From there there are many other ways and options to trigger the device.
Josh
rspoto
posted this
04 January 2014
Thanks Josh. I'm sure this will all make a lot more sense once I get all of my stuff.
So, there's no way to make a scene that will turn the light on if it's off, or off if it's on? Although now that I think about it, I'm not sure why I want to be able to do that. :-)
monkey-magic
posted this
05 January 2014
[quote=rspoto]Thanks Josh. I'm sure this will all make a lot more sense once I get all of my stuff.
So, there's no way to make a scene that will turn the light on if it's off, or off if it's on? Although now that I think about it, I'm not sure why I want to be able to do that. :-)[/quote]
At the moment I don't believe there is a way to toggle a switch. I think there may be a few who are interested in something like that. You can add a suggestion to the uservoice: http://incontrolha.uservoice.com/[/url
A bit more complex hre but this is one reason for toggles:
A toggle can be useful in some situations, one such is to make voice control easier.
Eg. At the moment if I want to turn on the bedroom lights I have to say 'Turn on bedroom lights' I need Autovoice to recognise 'on bedroom lights'
If a toggle were available then it would only need to recognise 'bedroom lights' People don't tend to say 'turn on bedroom lights' when they are already on. It allows you to string a few commands together like: 'turn on bedroom light and turn off kitchen lights'.
If set up correctly it Autovoice should run the commands for 'bedroom light' and 'kitchen light' and then toggle them. It would ignore the on and off commands.
If you add the option of toggles to uservoice I would vote for it when multichannel gets sorted.
Josh
SickPup404
posted this
05 January 2014
You could always just write a simple C# script that checks the state first, then change to the opposite state.
rspoto
posted this
07 January 2014
You could always just write a simple C# script that checks the state first, then change to the opposite state.
Well, I'm a VB.NET guy, but have dabbled in C# so I could probably fumble my way around. Is there API documentation somewhere, or a nice set of examples (other than the few that are part of the InControl application)?
And since I have people's ears, are there any recommendations on places to look for z-wave enabled devices? I'd like a deadbolt that looks "normal" on the outside, and can't seem to find one.
