Method to start and stop a Ceiling Fan based on an event but if the fan is already turned on, I do not want to return on and most importantly turn off automatically

[johnandy]

I have installed several of the GE Smart Ceiling Fan switches. They are working perfectly and I can control them with the switch or with Smartthings.

I am trying to do a couple of different automations.

I want to turn on a Ceiling Fan at a specific time and then turn it off 15 to 20 minutes later. I can get this to work with Smart Lighting using “Specific Time of Day” (one time is used to Turn on the Fan and the other is used to Turn off the Fan… in the same Automation). However, if the Ceiling Fan is already turned on before the start time, I do not want it to turn off after the 15-20 minutes. There is a feature called “Only If Light in On/Off”. This feature does not seem to work as I hoped as the automation looks at the position of the Fan switch for both the Turn On and the Turn Off. This means that if I set this to the same switch and tell it to only perform the step if the switch is off, it indeed turns the switch on but never turns it off.

Is there a method to turn on and turn off a switch but if the switch was already on, I do not want it turned on again or for sure turned off?

[jkp]

There is the option of using webCoRE…

webCoRE Community Forum

[Bry]

Something similar was just discussed in this thread:

Back Porch Light Automation Disabling

I’m reaching out to see if there is a way to turn off my automation if my back porch light is turned on manually with the switch or from the app. I current have a piston setup from 15 minutes from sunset to 15 minutes past sunrise when you open the back door the light will come on, and then once the back door is reopened the light will turn off. I have this setup for letting my dog out. I recently went out to grill and it was a pain to keep turning the light back on. Was wondering if anyone has an idea now to override the automation, if the switch is manually turned on when the door is closed to keep it on till its manually turned off. I read that you can create a virtual switch to turn off this automation but was wondering is there is another way for people in my home without access to…

Basically, you need something to track the status of the switch when it is manually thrown. Take a look at my post and the one that follows by @lflorack. My solutions proposed using a variable in webCore to track the switch’s status. @lflorack suggest using a virtual switch to do the same. If you are not familiar with webCore, the @lflorack’s solution may be a bit simpler.

[johnandy]

That for the input Bry. Is there any method that does not use the WebCore? I was hoping there is a way to set this up just using Smartthings and smart apps.

It seems that it would be really standard to not perform an Automation on a Light or Fan switch if the switch was already on manually and then not turn it off with the same automation (since it was turned on manually and someone probably has a reason).

[Bry]

I was hoping there is a way to set this up just using Smartthings and smart apps.

Yes, I think. @lflorack’s suggestion. It’s described in my post above and in more detail in the linked post.