I’m trying to write a rule to trigger a dimmer to turn on at 100% brightness between two times 9am-10pm, and at a lower brightness level, say 10%, between 10pm and 9am. I’ve tried to program this using Rule Machine, which didn’t work correctly for me. I went searching through the motion lighting app and simple lighting app to see if there was maybe a way to do this there with two separate rules. But I’m coming up empty.
I need a sort of “if this, then that” program, but for some reason I can’t figure it out with these new apps layouts. I don’t know what I’m missing. What’s the most logical app to write this rule in and how should I approach it?
Sorry if this is a simple question. I’ve been using Hubitat for years, and had some pretty complex automations happening in my old home with a C5 hub, but it’s been years since I’ve programmed anything even slightly complex and a lot of the apps in Hubitat seem to have changed which is throwing me off I guess.
I just thought of something. I’m using a GE Occupancy smart dimmer. Do I need to change the dimmer’s settings from occupancy to manual for this to work correctly.
I’m not familiar with that device. Does it report both motion and dimmer into Hubitat? Does it automatically turn on with motion outside of Hubitat? If there is an automatic process involved that occurs outside of Hubitat, it might be difficult to automate.
I’ve had it since my last home where I was using it similarly in a walk in closet with an old C5 hub. I had it successfully programmed to sense motion and turn on to a 100% brightness during the daytime and a dimmer setting during the nighttime, then turn off after a few minutes of no motion detected.
Currently, I’m using it in a bathroom with my newer C7 hub, in the toilet room/ WC. So far I seem to have it successfully triggering the exhaust fan switch (a zooz on/off 700 series) to turn on when motion is detected and then waiting 10 minutes after motion stops to then turn the fan off.
I’m trying to also do what I described above. To turn to a certain dim level dependent on the time of day. So that I can go pee at night while not having 100% bright light completely waking me up but then go back to 100% brightness during the day… And then of course to turn off automatic after a couple of minutes of no motion detected.
Currently, with no rule programmed for lighting it turns the light on to the last dimmer setting and then turns off when no motion is detected. I think that that must be a basic, non smart, occupancy switch function it’s using. Which is why I asked if I might need to change the default setting to manual and treat the motion aspect of the device as a seperate device to trigger the light. But like I said, I currently have it successfully triggering the fan switch via motion so it is integrated into Hubitat as a smart device.
Tagging @JasonJoel, as I believe he has written a custom driver for that GE Motion Dimmer switch device. He probably understands exactly how to de-couple any built-in automation, if possible.
I’m trying to work through the app to set this up, but it seems like the only option it’s giving me is “later of two times” or “earlier of two times”. I’m a little confused.
Is there a way to go back and use the old school version of the rule machine app? I feel like I had that one figured out. I don’t know why these new apps seem so confusing to do anything in. But I’m really thrown for some reason.
You can run it in MANUAL mode and use rules as you described, or you can leave it in OCCUPANCY and use rules to change the defaultdimmerlevel and timeout fields (if using my driver).
Either way works, with the 1st being somewhat easier.
