Timer capability

[dcabot25 (Dave)]

Does anything have a template for a timer capability? hours and minutes? I’m hoping for something that Alexa will be able to understand as well.

[DaWeav]

I use Virtual Switches as timers. Also, I would suggest that instead of using a DTH Alexa Virtual Switch, you should use an Edge Virtual Switch if your SmartThings Hub is Edge capable since the DTH is going away. Alexa Routines can be triggered with either Open/Close or Motion capabilities.

Repeating On/Off every hour?

I’m not at all sure what you would use for a mister, so this example would use a SmartThings outlet plug that would turn on the outlet for a duration of ‘x’ minute(s) every hour and uses a virtual switch as the countdown timer for re-triggering the Automation. The virtual switch turn Off value must be longer than the outlet turn Off value. Essentially it should loop constantly. Automation If Outlet is Off Virtual switch is Off Then Turn On Outlet and Auto Turn Off in "x’ minute(s). Turn On Virtual switch and Auto Turn Off in 1 hour. However, any Automation comes with risks because if the power goes out at any time, then who knows what condition the outlet would be in when power is restored, and even then I have no idea how this would kick off when power is restored. In fact, you’d …

Automate a duty cycle during daytime?

If I’m reading your need correctly, then maybe using a virtual switch as an 11 minute delay timer and trigger for the Automation might work. Automation If Time Period with Time Day equal Sunrise plus 30 minutes to Sunset. Temperature (whatever source) is equal or above 78 Outlet is Off Virtual switch is Off Then Turn On Outlet and Auto Turn Off in one minute. Turn On Virtual switch and Auto Turn Off in eleven minutes As for the Temperature, the new Weather feature isn’t working for me. So if it’s not working for you either, then install the SmartWeather Station Tile from template in the IDE as it works flawlessly in my Automations set to my zip code. As for running local, the weather requirement needs access to the internet to get the weather conditions so it can’t run local unle…

As for Edge Virtual Switches, I use @TAustin vEdge Virtual Switches. I like using Motion virtual switches since I don’t use Motion sensors in the STHM, and they don’t appear on the SmartThings app Favorites page status area since they aren’t Open. And, using @TAustin virtual motion devices also has a feature to ‘auto return to inactive’ which is effectivity a timer in itself so I don’t have to set the SmartThings Routine to turn Off the Virtual Switch after X time since the virtual motion device will turn Off by itself.

[ST Edge] vEdge Creator: a virtual device generator for end users

Here is an Edge driver that will enable end-users to create virtual devices that run locally on-hub. Features: Supports the following virtual device types: air quality, alarm, battery, contact, door, light, lock, momentary, motion, presence, shade, smoke, switch, switchlevel/dimmer, thermostat, water Includes a switch in virtual devices to control device state (also useful for Alexa triggers) Create any number of virtual devices Easy and fast to use: No coding or CLI required Enables you to create 100% local automations with virtual devices Additional enhancements: See how many devices you’ve created of a given type (inventory) Ability to select switch or plug icon for virtual switches Ability to select contact or light icons for virtual contacts Momentary button includes both sw…

[nayelyz (Developer Support Team)]

Yeah, you will need to use a workaround like the one from @DaWeav, I don’t see a stock capability that has those values, and custom capabilities are not recognized by third parties like Alexa.
However, I think a capability to help us with this kind of case would be helpful, so, I’ll open a feature request for it.

Note: Feature requests can take some time to be reviewed and implemented (if they get approved). It’ll depend on the team’s workload.