Automations and combining starting at sunet and ending at a certain time

SmartApps & Automations
1

I am trying to move from the smart lighting app to Automations but am stuck. I am trying to have my porch light come on at sunset and off at 10:30. When trying to set up an automation, I can only choose a time or sunrise/sunset, not a combination.

how are you all handling automating this?
the smartlighting app seemed easier to me than automations are for some reason.
Thanks

2

Hi, @chrisrose98

With the Rules API you can create flexible and customizable automations. Please, check the example at this post, which describes the following workflow:

  • If Now is between Sunset and Sunrise,
  • Then Turn On the switch device.

For your use-case, the Rule should be modified as following:

...
                },
                "end": {
                	"time": {
                    	"timeZoneId": "{{yourZoneId}}",
                		"reference": "Sunrise",
                        "offset": {
                            "value": "270",      <-- 270 Minutes after Sunrise
                            "unit": "Minute"
                        }
                    }
                }
            },
            "then": [
                {
                    "command": {
                        "devices": [
                            "{{yourDeviceId}}"
                        ],
                        "commands": [
                            {
                                "component": "main",
                                "capability": "switch",
                                "command": "on",
                                "arguments": []
                            }
                        ]
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    }
]

Also, you can find instructions on how to install your Rule at this thread.

3

I’ve got this! I’ve got it set in two automations, actually.

My “sunset trigger ON” turns the living room lamp on twenty minutes before sunset. (At Christmas, I add the Christmas tree switch to this automation.)

Then, I have a “living room OFF” automation, which turns off everything at 10pm, and signals me to go to bed. (There are a few other lights that come on during the evening to signal what time it is for me.)

I kind of like it in two automations, because I can add/subtract things to each side depending on the time of the year and the stuff I have come on.

1 Like
4

Thanks. That’s what I ended up doing with my porch light. How about this other close but more complex one.

Same light. After 10:30 I want it off but I want it to come on, triggered by the motion sensor when someone, my kids, get home after 10:30. I want it to come on, based on motion, then turn off after 5 min for them to get inside, and this whole automation to stop at sunrise. I got the on with motion but is the “end time “ automation just an “off” for the light at sunrise?
Chris

5

This one you may not be able to do. I have the same issue with my kitchen. I would love to be able to have the motion sensor kick on the lights at sunset and stop working at 9pm, but I couldn’t get it. So I have it as below, and during the summer I set the starting time later. During the winter, I have it set an hour earlier. It’s not as “never have to touch again”, but touching it twice a year hasn’t been too awful so far.

IMG_7978
IMG_79781125Ă—2436 243 KB

6

I have it working perfectly using the old smart lighting App but thought I’d play the game with smartthings and try it the new way.

1 Like