Like many of you, I am a big fan and user of the Lutron Pico remotes. In spite of the fact that the batteries seem to last forever, is there a way to query the battery level? Respectfully, I do not want to get lectured about how unreliable battery level reporting is in general for most if not all devices. I just want to know if it is possible to extract this info (its the OCD in me since I am monitoring battery levels for all my other battery dependent devices/sensors but I did not see anyway to get this info from the Lutron Hub/App so Iām not even sure it is an available attribute). Thanks for any info on this!
I don't think they report battery levels though I'm sure @mike.maxwell can confirm.
Thank you! I suspect the same but wanted to see if I was missing something. Thanks!
I don't recall that they even report battery in the Lutron app. That would be something to ask Lutron to enhance.
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Thank @aaiyar . So this is automatically sent if you have notifications enabled in the Lutron App?
I wonder if there is a way to get these low battery notifications to show up on my Battery Status HE Dashboard. Since I have only been using my Picoās for just over two years now I guess I have never received these notifications given the incredible battery life on these little suckers, LOL!
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That alert message is from a Pico that has been in service for 9 years. The alert appeared about 7-8 months ago. Itās still working, so I havenāt replaced the battery yet.
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Battery status is not available in the lutron api.
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What do I need to do to ensure I receive those alert messages regarding the Pico battery status (in a few more years)?
Thanks!
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Just have the Lutron app installed on your phone. Nothing else is needed.
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Remember that monitoring the battery voltage requires measuring the voltage and transmitting that voltage to the bridge either as a voltage measurement or as a battery life estimate. That action drains the battery every time that measurement is taken and reported. Although the batteries in the Pico are replaceable, the battery life will be far greater in the remote if the battery voltage information is not monitored.
I have never had to replace the battery in a Pico remote even though some have been in service for several years. I wish I could say that about other battery powered devices whose batteries require replacement every few months.
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Perfect. I should be all set. Thanks.
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I have a few that are 12 years old (when I had wink) and they're still going strong...
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I completely understand and agree with your comments.
However, my assumption was that battery status reporting only happens when the switch itself is activated (when a Pico button is pressed rather than being polled automatically) since it appears that when the battery level does get low, the Lutron App does indeed send a notification per @aaiyar which indicates that the hub somehow does get this information. Iām guessing that for energy efficiency, it only keeps track of ālastā battery level when ālastā used.
The purpose of my OP was to see if this info was accessible from the API (which it apparently is not per @mike.maxwell). If the LAST battery level info was accessible (which it is not), then it would not adversely affect battery life expectancy much as this data would only be transmitted when the pico is actually used (as opposed to being periodically being polled) and the Lutron Hub itself is line powered. That being said, YoLink devices are also very energy efficient (supposedly up to 5 years with some devices like water sensors). Perhaps not as long though as Picoās (which are absolutely amazing). Even though they use proprietary LoRa, YoLinks do report battery level with polling (just not with very much resolution, only 4 levels).
At any rate, I am OK with just waiting for the Lutron App to send a notification since it appears that even after sending a notification, they still have plenty of battery life left, leaving time to order and receive new batteries. Thanks for your input.
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I had to go into the Lutron app today to add some new switches. I don't otherwise use the Lutron app. It warned me of a pico with a low battery in the app.
I did not get any notification from the app although notifications are turned on in iPhone settings.
Unless there is some way to get battery notifications turned on for the Lutron app - this notification isn't much good?
Maybe reach out to Lutron?
If you do, please let us know what they say.
The Pico batteries are supposed to last around 5 years. Thus, go into you PICO app around once a year and check to see which batteries are getting low. I have never had to replace a Pico battery and I have used them for several years.
A few of my pico's have had batteries in the for over 10 years.
I am not surprised. Some of my Picos get used routinely and might need batteries every few years. Others are part of 4 way switch systems and rarely get touched. I try to have most of my lights set up to come on automatically based on time of day, motion detected, door contacts opened, etc. Thus, the Picos are not needed very often, but are handy when they are needed.
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