{"id":96,"date":"2013-09-25T10:07:34","date_gmt":"2013-09-25T15:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jimandnoreen.com\/?p=96"},"modified":"2016-04-01T12:34:37","modified_gmt":"2016-04-01T17:34:37","slug":"an-indigo-plugin-for-lutron-radiora-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jimandnoreen.com\/?p=96","title":{"rendered":"An Indigo plugin for Lutron RadioRA 2 and Caseta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lutron got a lot of things right with its RadioRA 2<\/a> lighting control system. \u00a0There are over 25 device types, including dimmers, thermostats, shades, keypads, and handheld controls. \u00a0The switches work equally well in new construction and retrofit applications. \u00a0Wireless communication is robust and the device build quality is flawless.<\/p>\n

The only downside is that setting up and maintaining anything beyond a rudimentary installation will require programming via the RadioRA 2 Essentials configuration software, which is only available to Lutron trained and approved technicians. \u00a0While I can understand Lutron’s desire to maintain it’s brand image by requiring professional installation of its products, I think they are doing a disservice to consumers by not giving them the ability to change common settings like dimmer on \u00a0levels and device scenes. \u00a0The obvious solution would be to release a “hobbled” version of the Essentials software that would expose only those settings that couldn’t get users into too much trouble.<\/p>\n

Edit (3\/2016): \u00a0Lutron addressed this with the introduction of Caseta, a consumer friendly solution that supports up to 50 devices.<\/p>\n

The Lutron integration protocol<\/a>, however, is a completely open and documented means of monitoring and controlling a Lutron system. \u00a0Communication with RadioRA 2 devices is done via the main repeater. \u00a0Commands are sent\/received as plain text. \u00a0For example, the command “#OUTPUT,41,1,100” tells the repeater to set the level of dimmer #41 to 100%. \u00a0Both serial and IP connections to the repeater are available.<\/p>\n

The main repeater includes some basic timer and “virtual button” functionality but doesn’t support advanced features like conditional events or messaging. \u00a0I think Lutron made the right decision by leaving this stuff for third party products to support through its integration protocol.<\/p>\n

My initial plan was to build a set of OS X tools for RadioRA 2. \u00a0It’s easy enough to script actions using built-in command line tools like netcat (nc). \u00a0But then I stumbled upon a home automation product called Indigo<\/a>, which provides every control and monitoring feature I could imagine and more. \u00a0Out of the box, Indigo does not support RadioRA 2 devices (Z-Wave, Insteon and X10 interfaces are natively supported). \u00a0However, additional types of hardware can be supported via 3rd party plugins.<\/p>\n

The Indigo documentation is very good and lots of plugin examples are available so it was relatively easy to write a RadioRA 2 plugin even though I had very limited experience with the Python programming language. \u00a0The latest version of the plugin can be downloaded here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This initial release is by no means complete but supports the most common RadioRA 2 device types. \u00a0With the exception of phantom buttons and LEDs, you should also be able to control devices on a HomeWorks QS system but I haven’t had the opportunity to test that.<\/p>\n

Installation<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Download the plugin zip file and double-click it to expand. Double-click the Lutron RadioRA 2 plugin to install it.<\/li>\n
  2. You need to connect your Mac to the main repeater’s serial port using a USB to serial adapter. \u00a0Although it costs more than most generic adaptors, I highly recommend the Keyspan<\/a>\u00a0adapter, which is solidly built and universally supported. \u00a0I also feel more comfortable hooking up a quality adapter to a repeater costing $400+! \u00a0You will also need a 9-pin serial cable<\/a> (and possibly a serial to ethernet extender kit<\/a> if your computer is more than 25 feet from the repeater).
    \nEdit (3\/2016): \u00a0Beginning with version 2.0.0, the plugin also supports Caseta Smartbridge PRO controllers. \u00a0You can connect your Indigo server to a RadioRA 2 repeater by either serial (still preferred) or IP Ethernet. Caseta Smart Bridge PRO only supports ethernet connection. The initial configuration dialog will prompt you to specify a serial port or IP connection. If you check the option for IP, you must enter a valid username and password. For Caseta systems, this is the telnet login, not the login you use for the Caseta app.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Usage<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Every RadioRA 2 device has a unique Integration ID, which you will need to identify it to Indigo. \u00a0You can get a text or XML file containing all the device IDs by running an integration report from the RadioRA 2 Essentials software or by downloading an XML file from the main repeater at this url: http:\/\/[Repeater IP Address]\/DbXmlInfo.xml<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Dimmers, Switches, \u00a0Fans and Thermostats can be added by clicking the New button on the Indigo Device panel and specifying the device’s integration ID.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. A unique Indigo device type for shades is not defined in the initial plugin release, however shades can be assigned to dimmer devices. \u00a0100% represents fully open and 0% is fully closed.<\/li>\n
    4. In the current plugin implementation phantom buttons and phantom LEDs get assigned to the same Indigo device. \u00a0Button IDs are in the range of 1-100 and LED IDs are 101-200. \u00a0Each phantom button has a corresponding led. \u00a0For example, LED 101 is assigned to button 1. \u00a0To add a button\/LED pair to Indigo, specify the integration ID of the LED<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    5. Operating and monitoring status of the Lutron devices from Indigo should be self-explanatory.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Limitations in plugin version 2.0.0<\/h3>\n
        \n
      1. Main repeater phantom buttons can be set up in multiple ways but the plugin currently only supports On\/Off commands. \u00a0So, for example, if a phantom button is defined as a toggle, clicking its On button in Indigo will turn the device on and clicking On again will turn it off. \u00a0Indigo’s Off button will have no effect on a phantom button that’s defined as a toggle.<\/li>\n
      2. The Lutron fan switches have four fan speeds (low, medium, medium-high, and high) but only three of these speeds are selectable from the Indigo GUI.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        When time permits, I’d like to add support for Pico<\/a> handheld remotes, which are very convenient for controlling groups of shades.\u00a0 Also the fact that the RA2 repeater makes its entire device list (among other things) available as an XML file opens up the possibility of importing the RA2 devices into Indigo instead of manually adding them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Lutron got a lot of things right with its RadioRA 2 lighting control system. \u00a0There are over 25 device types, including dimmers, thermostats, shades, keypads, and handheld controls. \u00a0The switches work equally well in new construction and retrofit applications. \u00a0Wireless communication is robust and the device build quality is flawless. The only downside is that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[8,31,26],"tags":[34,32,33],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8sNNV-1y","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":211,"url":"https:\/\/jimandnoreen.com\/?p=211","url_meta":{"origin":96,"position":0},"title":"Controlling devices with Indigo and Amazon Echo (Alexa)","date":"March 5, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"A recently added plugin for the superb\u00a0\u00a0Indigo Smart Home Software platform\u00a0enables voice control of devices like lights, thermostats, fans, shades and garage doors--to name just a few--via an Amazon\u00a0Echo Dot,\u00a0Echo\u00a0or Fire TV. \u00a0It works seamlessly with the Lutron RadioRA 2 plugin that I developed and is also presumed compatible with\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electrical"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":115,"url":"https:\/\/jimandnoreen.com\/?p=115","url_meta":{"origin":96,"position":1},"title":"Importing RadioRA 2 devices into Indigo","date":"October 7, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"In a recent post, I wrote about a plugin I made for Indigo to add support for Lutron RadioRA 2 devices.\u00a0 I can't say enough good things about this software.\u00a0 It's rock solid reliable and extremely flexible.\u00a0 Among other things, I have Indigo set up to email a picture to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Electrical"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":136,"url":"https:\/\/jimandnoreen.com\/?p=136","url_meta":{"origin":96,"position":2},"title":"Vehicle detection using iAutomate RFID","date":"December 24, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"One item on my to-do list for a long time was to enable our home automation system to detect the comings and goings of our vehicles. \u00a0Each has an EZ-Pass badge, so I figured slam-dunk, just find an appropriate active RFID reader and we're done. \u00a0But I was unable to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Apple"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":89,"url":"https:\/\/jimandnoreen.com\/?p=89","url_meta":{"origin":96,"position":3},"title":"Two highly recommended wifi routers","date":"September 26, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Over the years I've implemented several wifi solutions in larger commercial and residential settings, sometimes replacing existing equipment to improve coverage. After much experimentation, trial and error, and sometimes frustration, I now recommend wifi equipment from only two manufacturers: Ubiquiti Networks and Amped Wireless. But before we go into that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Networking"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":356,"url":"https:\/\/jimandnoreen.com\/?p=356","url_meta":{"origin":96,"position":4},"title":"Long Distance Mailbox Alert using LoRa","date":"October 28, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"You've got mail! An IoT project using solar power and long range radio In these pandemic times of limited mobility, I become more like a dog every day: looking forward with great enthusiasm to meals, walks and car rides. 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