SmartLabs (Smarthome's development parent) makes the INSTEON thermostat adapter card. Venstar makes the actual thermostat that has the slot for the adapter card. I don't know if Venstar exposes through their adapter protocol support for the external sensor or not. If it does, then the request would go to SmartLabs, if not it would go to Venstar I guess.

The UI and AppleScript you are seeing is because when I added the thermostat support to Indigo I tried to future-proof it for any changes that might occur, or other thermostats that might eventually be supported.

Thanks for the reply Matt...

If the Venstar phone accessory is any indication, SmartLabs should be able to get the outdoor temp. Page 14 of the Comfort Call accessory shows that if attached, the outside temp will be announced over the phone.

I emailed my request to SmartLabs to hopefully improve an already great product.

Thanks again,
Spencer

I'm not positive, but I would assume if the Venstar phone accessory can do it, then the capability exists for the INSTEON adapter to access it as well.

matt/jay, can we set a T1900 to vacation mode through the adapter/indigo?

Venstar ACC0401 Remote Indoor Sensor [ACC0401] $34.00

The remote indoor temperature sensor with override button offers the user ability to change to Occupied mode for after hours heating or cooling. It will measure indoor-air temperature at a remote location from the thermostat. It is a digital sensor designed for use with Venstar thermostats. It can be used with the Venstar T1800, T1900, T2700, T2900, T2900SCH and T2300FS thermostats.

The sensor will sense room temperature where it is installed. The thermostat will control to the remote temperature sensor reading and show a blinking degree icon next to the temperature display on the thermostat.

I'm not clear on how it works, or the application.
Has anyone used this indoor temp remote [w/ Indigo]?

Also, Venstar makes a 'wall plate' trim. Can anyone verify that it doesn't interfere with the Insteon module install

dtich wrote:matt/jay, can we set a T1900 to vacation mode through the adapter/indigo?

I'm not sure about "vacation" mode, but you can tell the thermostat to run in programmed mode (the program set up in the T1900) by using the following applescript:

Code: Select all

set hvac mode of device "YOUR THERMOSTAT" to runProgramAuto

CraigM wrote:

Venstar ACC0401 Remote Indoor Sensor [ACC0401] $34.00

The remote indoor temperature sensor with override button offers the user ability to change to Occupied mode for after hours heating or cooling. It will measure indoor-air temperature at a remote location from the thermostat. It is a digital sensor designed for use with Venstar thermostats. It can be used with the Venstar T1800, T1900, T2700, T2900, T2900SCH and T2300FS thermostats.

The sensor will sense room temperature where it is installed. The thermostat will control to the remote temperature sensor reading and show a blinking degree icon next to the temperature display on the thermostat.

I'm not clear on how it works, or the application.
Has anyone used this indoor temp remote [w/ Indigo]?

Also, Venstar makes a 'wall plate' trim. Can anyone verify that it doesn't interfere with the Insteon module install

The wall plate does not interfere with the accessory port. The trim goes behind hte thermostat to cover up any wall damage that your previous thermostat left. I had to get one because there were multiple mounting screw holes and dents in the drywall where the old one rubbed. It doesn't look too bad, but it is a little silly unfortunately.

As for the extra temps, those do not seem to be reflected through the expansion port. The exterior temp sensor is, but that is different from the remote sensors.

As for the button on the remote thermometer, I don't ever use mine. I saw some info in the manual about how the button could override 'away mode' or something, but I don't use that feature.

There is a way to get the temp from the remote indoor sensor, but it comes at the expense of the "local" temp.

Indigo/Insteon aside for a sec... If the remote sensor is installed it can be used by the thermostat in a few ways.

1. pressing the "outdoor" button will show the temps for remote sensor.

2. in the setup screens... page 38 I think. Changing yes -> no will cause the thermostat to use the remote temp to control the HCAV unit. The temp that is displayed on the thermostat will be the remote temp. You will know the remote temp is being used because the degree symbol will blink.

3. in the setup screens... page 39 I think. You can have the thermostat average the local and remote temp to control the HVAC. I havn't used this, but I'm guessing the temp displayed on the thermostat will be the result of averaging the local and remote temps. Again, not sure if there is any visual indication that you are using the average because I havn't tried it out yet.

back to Insteon and Indigo. If you set the thermostat to use the remote temp to control the HVAC... #2 above. That remote temp is the temp that will be given when Indigo asks, but then, there is no way of getting the local temp at the thermostat.

Again... I'm guessing, but I would think that if you are using #3 above. The temp given to Indigo will be the average temp.

Switching the thermostat back and forth between using the local and remote sensor for control is a pain... about 20 button presses or so.

From what I can tell, this is a limitation of the insteon module. I was told to make a request of a new product... eventhough it's a feature request for an existing product here...

http://www.smarthome.com/suggestproduct.asp

hope that makes sense,
Spencer

Thanks to all for the info.

I guess the scenario I was entertaining was kinda 'smart zones':

- Indigo 'BEDTIME' scene or TDA [at 10pm HVAC switches from main wall unit thermostat in living room, to remote thermostat in bedroom, then in the morning it reverts back to the main thermostat]

The same logic could apply to an occupied office in the house, after all why have the temperature judged by a thermostat where no people are. It makes more sense to have the temperature judged from the room that you are actually going to be in for an extended period of time.

Can Indigo make the switch via time or motion?
Does the button on the remote sensor make the switch?
If the button does, how do you switch back?

Best Scenario: All controlled via Indigo [??]
OK Scenario: I push the remote sensor button at bedtime [??]

Is any of this possible? I want to avoid buying a product that serves none of my needs.

PS - I have yet to purchase a Venstar unit [having trouble deciding which model 1700/1800/1900]

My current HVAC thermostat [for many years] has been the RCS TXB16.

Unfortunately it requires a PSC05 module which is not heat rated for a hot attic [dumb engineering] , so I fry one every year!

You want to do the exact thing I'm trying to do. The only way I have figured you how to do it is very manual. You have to change, on the thermostat... deep in the setup pages, which sensor is being used to control the HVAC. Currently not way to do this through the Insteon Module.

If you really want it, please hit that link and ask smartlabs to add the feature.

I too was hoping the "override" button on the sensor would preform the switch. But the responce from Venstar was something like... "The override button does not preform the function you were hoping it would. There is no residential application for the override button." Still don't know what it does, but it's not supported on the T1700/T1800/T1900

As far as picking your thermostat... download all the owners manual PDF's and see what fills your needs. I went with the T1900 because I wanted the 7-Day program as a backup.

Spencer

forgive if this has been discussed already:

is there no way to have the on/off state of the venstar (T1900) communicated via the insteon interface? i don't really even need separate fan and compressor tallys, just want to be able to show if the system is currently running... possible?

thx.

jay wrote:

dtich wrote:matt/jay, can we set a T1900 to vacation mode through the adapter/indigo?

I'm not sure about "vacation" mode, but you can tell the thermostat to run in programmed mode (the program set up in the T1900) by using the following applescript:

Code: Select all

set hvac mode of device "YOUR THERMOSTAT" to runProgramAuto

well, yes... ok. not totally necessary anyway. just curious.

I understand that the Insteon thermostat adapter will not allow setting of the thermostat's date/time, and also that the T-1900 does not/not include a backup battery, so that in case of power failure the time needs to be reset.

Nice feature for a programmable thermostat...not.

The T2900 commercial version, I understand, has a supercap for backup in the same location that the T1900 has a normal capacitor, and the T1900 can be modified accordingly.

Does anyone know the specifics of how to add clock backup to the T1900 (component location and value)?

(And yes, I know that with Indigo the clock and programming come from Indigo and the Mac. I want independent operation of the thermostat as well for backup).

BillC wrote:I understand that the Insteon thermostat adapter will not allow setting of the thermostat's date/time, and also that the T-1900 does not/not include a backup battery, so that in case of power failure the time needs to be reset.

Nice feature for a programmable thermostat...not.

I am considering one of these (T1900) so your post caught my eye. I found a review on the T1900 (link below) in which they state:

"The final item I came across was that during a power outage, all the programming is preserved but the clock will be reset on longer outages. As with all of the issues, people mentioned Venstar support was helpful and offered suggestions on how to add a battery to overcome this issue."

I emailed Venstar support and I will post if I learn anything useful.

Tom

Link to review:
http://www.liveautomatic.com/reviews/ho ... tat-review

In case this is still of interest here are the instructions for adding a battery to a T1900.

Standard disclaimers apply. This work will definitely void your warranty and if you screw something up it's your problem!

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1)De-solder and remove C4, located just above the humidity module.

2)Use these contact points on the PCB to connect a six volt battery (Polarity is + left and - right, looking at the capacitor)

3) You can use a 4 AA battery holder (which can be stuck in the wall behind the thermostat) attached to 2 small wire leads and an extra tether wire to keep from losing it behind the wall.

The commercial thermostat design has a supercap installed at this point. It keeps the clock backed up for at least 10 hours. A battery will do the same thing until it runs down, most likely for more than a year. Can't guarantee that you won't damage your thermostat by altering it, so you will have to continue at your own risk. Be careful removing and replacing the PCB from/to the plastic.