Getting clever with outputs

In addition to the 'momentary' function for controlling ABN outputs, more extensive timed functions are possible. These could be useful for, for example, turning lights on and then have them turn off again after a few minutes.

Another example may be where an output is connected to a siren which, if triggered, should automatically turn off after 2 minutes. In this case, it is also possible to trigger that output when an input is activated. To see how this is done, see the section "Getting clever with inputs"

In the first example above let us say that we want to turn a light on for 5 minutes, after which it will turn off again. Assuming that the light is connected to output 'B', we would send the ABN the following:

B6

The digit '6' (as opposed to the usual 'Y', 'N', 'M' or 'T' commands) means 'turn on for 300 seconds (5 minutes)'. The following table shows what periods digits '1' through '9' mean:

Digit	Seconds	Minutes
0	beep-beep	-
1	5	-
2	10	-
3	30	-
4	60	1
5	120	2
6	300	5
7	600	10
8	900	15
9	1800	30

These times can be combined to get very specific periods. For example, if it is desired that output 'A' be turned on for 3 minutes, the following will do the trick:

A4A5

'A4' turns on for 1 minute and 'A5' turns on for 2 minutes. These two times are effectively added together to give 3 minutes.

This could also be used to turn an output on for very long periods. The following:

B9B9B9B9B9B9

would turn output 'B' on for 3 hours. This could be done up to a theoretical limit of around 18 days.

Note that:

A0

will cause output 'A' to pulse rapidly twice. This is useful if this output is connected to buzzer or horn and you wish to have it make a quick "beep-beep" sound. This is often used to indicate whether an alarm is armed/disarmed.