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[Mr Bob]

Greetings,

I have a macro that turns on certain lights to 100% for 15 minutes when triggered.  My question is, when the macro ends (after 15 minutes) do those lights return to the states they were in before the macro is triggered?  E.g., the inside entryhall light was lit at 50%.  The driveway motion sensor triggers the macro, and the light brightens to 100%.  Does it then returm to 50 % after the 15 minutes elapses?

Thanks for any and all responses.  Cheers!

[Puck]

Mr Bob: The lights will only do what you tell them to do and will not return to previous states after a macro. If you want them to return to 50% you have to have that command at the end of the macro (after the 15 minutes delay).

There is no way for lights to be returned to their exact previous state if that state can be any of it's possible settings... only to predetermined fixed states.

[Mr Bob]

Is there a command that I can enter in the macro that will return the module to the normal timer schedule? 

Depending on the time, any given module would be on a different timer driven % of brightness.  When the macro times out after, say 30 minutes, or 4 1/2 hours, whichever comes first, that module should return to that timer schedule, no?  (But then again, I guess you already answered that . . )  Is there a macro command that will make it return to 'timer mode'?

I am holding out hope that I didn't state my question clearly the first time around, and that now the answer will be "oh yeah - here's what you need to do . . ." 

Cheers! 

Bob H.
Southern Maryland

[Tuicemen]

Don't confuse Macros with Timers they are not the same! (many newbies do this)
If you have a timer it turns the device on/off or can be used to start a macro!
Macros only run until the last command is sent or 4 1/2 hours! (as you Stated)
Please give a detailed description of what you wish to do!
eg:
 I have light B2 on a timer set to come on at 1:00 pm and off at 6:30pm
I have a macro c3 that turns b2 on for 30 min and then off
If the macro is triggered during the timers cycle time, how do I get B2 to return to an on state?
Making it too general will not get a correct reply (we'll be guessing as to what you want to do)! 
If you problem is like the one I described the responce may be different then say a more complicated macro, or more devices on the timer!

[Mr Bob]

OK - here goes (please bear with me):

I have an overhead light in the entryway hall (B2), and outside porch lights (B1).  Both are controlled with wall dimmer switches. 

Their timers are set so that both go on at 20 minutes prior to dusk; dim to 75 % at 8:30 pm; and again dim to 25 % at midnight.  They both turn-off at dawn.

I would like to set a macro which, when triggered (motion sensor - C5)) would
     light both B1 and B2 to 100 % (after dark); and
     sound a chime (daylight and nightime).  Then,
     after a delay of 20 minutes,
     go back to timer control.

I think I can do all up until the last step - go back to timer control.  Maybe there is a better way to get this done??  I am a fan of the ol' Murphy's law # 10 " Work smarter, not harder".

Again I really appreciate all of the help I fine here.  Y'all're a swell bunch o'guys!   

Bob H
Southern Maryland

[Tuicemen]

It really isn't that hard to reset back to your timer settings since you have the smart macro plug-in!
There are how ever a couple of ways you could do it!

• The best possible way I can think of is to create a Phantom module  B3
   
• Create A macro triggered by B3 ON
• In this macro Have the condition if time after 8:30 and before midnight
• Dim lights b1 and b2 to 75%
• Turn B3 Off
   
• Now create another macro same trigger B3 (this will become a B3 else)
• Condition if time after midnight and before dawn
• Dim lights B1 and B2 to 25%
• Turn B3 Off
   
• Now create one more macro same trigger B3 (this becomes the second else and only fires if the other two don't)
• this macro has no conditions
• Turn B1 and B2 OFF
• Turn B3 Off
   
• Now in your original macro (C5)
• Add the line at the end too turn Phantom B3 On
   

[/color][/b]
Note: create the macros in the order I set out or your Else's will not work right!

[Mr Bob]

Thank you.

Now - a question regarding phantom modules. 

Can I use any "Module" type from the list of possible modules?  Just make sure that it is on a different (i.e., NOT USED? House/Unit code?  (In my case, B3 is already in use - but B8 is not.  Does it matter what 'type' of module it is??

Thanks again from Snowy Southern Maryland!

[Tuicemen]

Your best to use a standard appliance module for Phantom modules!
Using B8 is fine and you want to make sure no other module has the same address!
A little (time) tweeking may be needed as I typed up the Phantom module macros quickly!

[Mr Bob]

I think your post (the one before last) should go into a collection of tutorials.  It worked!  (I changed the time intervals to 5 to 10 minutes).

Thank you.

Next, I need to start a thread about using flags.  Can you point me to a thread that explains them as clearly and simply as your explanation on phantom modules??

Cheers!

Bob H.
Southern Maryland

[Tuicemen]

I think your post (the one before last) should go into a collection of tutorials. It worked! (I changed the time intervals to 5 to 10 minutes).

Thank you.

Glade you found it helpful!
I'll add a link to my Helpful Hints and Suggestions (Smart Macros) thread!

Next, I need to start a thread about using flags. Can you point me to a thread that explains them as clearly and simply as your explanation on phantom modules??

Actually Bob if you check  my Helpful Hints and Suggestions (Smart Macros)  (Read 7019  times) thread, or my thread: X10 Issues? Please Read This First!  (Read 24822 times) you'll find links to many helpful threads from many different users!
A link to help with flags is in both as well as other helpful Tid bits!

[Tuicemen]

Mr Bob :
Once you have had your (return to normal) macro running for a while and have had a chance to work out all, or any bugs, please post your working macro Here:

User-Designed Working Macros
A library of working macros designed by members (post your Working macro here)

I'm sure others would love to see the final working macro as would I!