[OBSOLETE] Thermostat Manager - An alternative to Thermostat Mode Director

SmartApps & Automations Community Created SmartApps
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jmarkwell,
Thank you much! Again, thank you for your hard work!

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New Addition

As many have requested, I’ve added in an optional a “hold-after” timer option to the Energy Saver feature. If set, the hold-after timer will hold the thermostat in a paused status for a specified number of minutes after all contacts have been closed. This timer works in conjunction with the hold-down timer which is configured using the setting, “Minimum Pause Time”. If both are set, TM will use whichever timer takes the longest to complete.

As always, I rely on you to report any problems. Please let me know if you notice that anything isn’t working right. Feel free to make further recommendations for changes or additions and I will continue working to perfect Thermostat Manager. Enjoy!

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Another happy user here. Just wanted to say that I am also interested in this option: the app to check periodically if the thermostat is really off and if not, to send a command to turn it off.

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Peter2, I’ve looked at doing this before but I previously ruled it out because I don’t want to override manual user commands at the thermostat. However, I think there may be a way to have it as an option by adding another toggle switch… I’ll put it in the list of things to look at.

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I just installed your app from Github. It does exactly what I need it to do- i.e. turn off the thermostat if doors are left open x minutes then reenable once all doors are closed. The issue I have is that my door switches are “virtual” or “simulated switches” - not physical switches (My Abode security system sets the simulated switch via IFTTT). When I use Energy Saver, it doesn’t display my simulated switches. Is there a work-around for my situation?

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I believe it should work. You mention virtual “switches”. TM is looking for, “contact sensors” (capability.contactSensor) for the device type so I’m thinking that it will work if you change the device type.

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Good catch. You’re right. If I create a “simulated contact switch” it shows up in the pick list. Unfortunately, I’m using IFTTT to link my Abode security door sensors to SmartThings and IFTTT only supports On/Off “switches”, not contact sensors. I’m back to the drawing board.

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I have a RCS TBZ48 thermostat and for some reason in the main configuration of this smart app, I have a red bar by “Thermostat” with a message stating “You can’t currently add this.” Any suggestions on how to remedy this? The thermostat is set up as a ‘thing’ in my home and i can control the various functions from there, but I was hoping to automate the fan control a bit, hence this smart app.

Thank you.

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Chris, it appears that Thermostat Manager doesn’t recognize any thermostats on your network (which means that SmartThings doesn’t). Have you added your thermostat to SmartThings yet? If you have, you should be able to see a thermostat device in which you can set temperatures and modes.

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Thanks for the quick response! Yes the device is part of my network and is controllable from the smartthings app (both classic and the newer version), i.e. I can tap on my z-wave thermostat ‘thing’ to set and automate cooling/heating, just not the fan.

Before proceeding further, I will try removing the thermostat from “My Things” and re-joining it my network. On my IDE page it’s the only device that is listed as having an execution location in “the cloud” so maybe that’s part of it.

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No, that shouldn’t affect anything. I’ll see if I can find the device handler for this thermostat. Maybe there is something unusual there. If you know what device handler it is using, that would be helpful.

What Thermostat Manager is looking for is a device with, “Thermostat” capability. So as long as the device has a proper device handler, is connected to the ST hub and is online, you should be able to add it…

Just as a test, try adding your thermostat to one of the pre-installed SmartThings apps. It can be anything that requires a thermostat device, like “Thermostat Mode Director” or, “Keep Me Cozy”. See if you get the same result.

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Chris, apparently there are many device handlers for the GoControl RCS TBZ48 out there. You’ll have to tell me which one you’re using. If you’re not sure, go to the SmartThings IDE, click on “My Devices”, near the top, and then select your thermostat from the list. On the thermostat page, what does the row that says, “Type”, say?

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Ah, interesting. My type:0806
Edit: type:0806 mfr:0010 prod:5442 model:5432 ver:1.02 zwv:3.40 lib:06
Brand Name: RCS Product Identifier: TBZ48

It’s not limited to your smartapp, i’ve tried a few others like “Run circulate in HVAC” and “Thermostat Fan On/Auto v4” and they same thing when trying to choose a thermostat.

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No, I’m talking about the device type that the device handler says it is, or in other words; the name of the device handler. In the ST IDE, click on “My Devices”, near the top, and then select your thermostat from the list. On the thermostat page, what does the row that says, “Type”, (3rd row from the top) say? What does the 1st row (Name) say also?

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Name Z-Wave Battery Thermostat
Type Z-Wave Battery Thermostat

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Perfect. Thanks, I found it. Here’s the code from the ST Repo if you’re interested:

The problem is that this device handler doesn’t use a “thermostat” capability. “thermostat” capability is pretty standard although there are alternatives to use, it is what most thermostat device handlers use. Let me take a look and I can make a suggestion…

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Chris,

Okay, now I will first say that this is something that I could fix by modifying Thermostat Manager. However, this would be a significant change and you are the first person to have run into this issue so I’m thinking that you are probably just using a bad device handler. If thermostats begin to move away from using, “thermostat” capability to something else however, I will eventually change TM. But I don’t think that this is something that is necessary at this time.

I found you some alternatives. I also suggest that you search these forums and find some other options yourself, there will be plenty to choose from. Just make sure that you see the line:
capability “Thermostat”
near the top of the code.

Others in the forum say that they use this device handler for your thermostat. It’s just called, “Z-Wave Thermostat”. FYI, I also read people saying they’re using a device handler called, “Z-Wave Thermostat Generic” but I couldn’t find it in the repo. If you see it in the SmartThings app, I suggest trying the, “generic” one first.

Now here is a developer from the forums who CHARGES for his work. This thermostat is a PAY thermostat. If you want the code you have to buy it – or something like that. I’ve never used any of his stuff myself. But it looks like a very full featured device handler. If you don’t mind paying some money and want a really nice device handler, this one might be for you:

If you have any other questions or concerns, let me know. Always glad to help. And again, if this starts to be a trend I will modify TM to keep up.

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Awesome you went above and beyond. Thanks for the info!!!

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Found one more. Some people from the forums also use this one. I don’t know anything about it but it appears to be from a guy like myself who develops free apps.

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Jordan, thank you for the “Hold Over” timer. I installed it shortly after it came out, and because of the situation I am using it in, it has been tested well. Thus far, it (and the rest of the app) has worked to perfection. Thank you again for your work. HS Barrett

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