programming switches to omni ii2

First,

This site kicks butt!

Been reading and reading but i think i read to much now confused...

In a nutshell...I have..

omni 2e (3.2D)

PCA version 3.6.0.588

7 x light switch from HAI
2 x 8 button from HAI

Loaded all the default setting from the switch in Upstart fine.

Now, i want to load this default settings to my omni2e but can't seem to comprehend the how to's...

Question 1
I read that it is almost easier to load the default settings of each switch from the LCD controller, putting the switch in the 5 tap mode and find it with the LCD, then loading the default setting automatically?

Question 2
If yes, in Setup>>Expension>>Module3>> should be UPB or ALC?
and Setup>>Expension>>Serial3>>9600>>UPB?

Is this correct?

Using UPB with HAI is a bit tricky. So there several possibilities. If you have all HAI switches, use an HAI panel, and never plan to control your UPB network from a third point, like a PC running home automation software, then you don't need UpStart at all. The panel can program the switches.

A second way is only use UpStart, and do all the programming yourself, then just have the panel send out scene commands. This takes more work, but you can get much more control, and the method works well if you have a home automation system in addition to the HAI panel.

There is a third way you can go that combines the two methods, and this is the most complex. Follow the HAI format, but also use UpStart to assist. If you go this route, you need to fully understand the HAI format used so that UpStart can follow it as well. Device numbering and settings are very strictly defined.

I would stick with the first or second method to start. Go the HAI route if you want it simple, but rather inflexible, or just use UpStart if you want more control, and have the HAO panel just send out links to activate your lighting scenes.

No matter witch way you go, yes, you set the panel up to control UPB on a serial port. So you need one computer interface on the panel, and another connected to your PC if you are going to use UpStart. Again, UpStart use is optional.

the second way since I know to much already and saw the extra settings capability. Also, we have the Windows Media Center installed on a local computer.

I would like for you to help me set up and create one link in the HAI panel to a HAI dimmer and a HAI 8 button example.I can send you the upstart config file if that would help.

Or here is a one room sample..

room 1 is Theater room

unit 1 HAI DIMMER 35A00-2 link1 100% link2 0% link3 80% link4 60% link5 40% link6 20%
unit 2 HAI 8-BUTTON 38A00-1 link(button)65 thru 75 super toggler

I should add a few more comments before you decide. The advantage of programming all your switches using the HAI method, is that all the indicator lights on the controllers stay in-sync. If you do it yourself, you can keep the indicator lights in-sync, but you have to do it yourself.

If you do go the UpStart route, and there is nothing wrong with that, you can create all the links you need.

Before you do any programming, I'd map out how you want to control things. There are 200+ links you can create, and switches can respond to a number of links.

So lets say you want to create a link called "Watch a Movie" and this link is #10, You set the controller so when you press a button, it activates link #10. Then each switch, in response to receiving a link #10 activate, sets its level accordingly. Do this for all switches in the room, then when a link #10 activate occurs, the lights will light to that set level. When you send a deactivate link #10, all the lights will turn off.

You will likely want to program your switches to respond to other links as well, like "all room lights on," and "all lights in the house on" or "off".

Lots of UPB programming is trial and error, but you will get the hang of it.

I started out in UPB mode, but switched to HLC.
If you are just starting out I'd use the HLC convention. to set up.
The switch was a pain (I have 60+ units). But now that I did it it was worth it.

You can make the allocated lnks for the rooms do anything you want, not just the defaults.
And "Rooms" don't have to be physical rooms.
e.g., I have all the fans in my house in one "Room".
Each link A, B, C, D controls a single fan in a bathroom or the laundry room, the All On, All Off controls them all.
So I can control them either indivually or collectively. When any of the links is transmitted the Omni tracks the status of ALL the fans.

Status tracking is the biggest advantage to HLC.

But I use UpStart to program the behaviors I want in each switch because I want some very specific integrated behaviors.

As long as I remember the room conventions and the link allocations, I don't run nto problems.
This limits the number of programming lines I have to use to track status.
I only need programming when a link activates lights across rooms, like the Master Bath and Bedroom.

Ok,

I want to use the HAI method... how do i proceed?

Here are the HAI knowledge base HLC articles

http://kb.homeauto.c...39-3B8B52401C01}

http://kb.homeauto.c...39-3B8B52401C01}

http://kb.homeauto.com/default.asp?id=829&Lang=1&SID=



Here are some good threads to read.

http://www.cocoontec...l=&fromsearch=1

http://www.cocoontec...=1

http://www.cocoontec...l=&fromsearch=1

http://cocoontech.co...__fromsearch__1

Thanks everyone...I will keep you posted on my progress!