I have set up some simple rules to change exterior lighting upon a mode change. But, they aren't working correctly. So far, I have set up the same rule using Simple Rules, Basic Rules and even Rule Machine. None work correctly.
All trigger upon a mode change. If I manually change the modes, they work. If modes changes automatically, they partially work.
It should be"
Mode changes day to evening; set driveway lights to 90%, turn on Threshold.
Mode changes from evening to night, turn off threshold and set driveway to 20%
Mode changes to day from night, turn off all exterior lights.
According to the logs, at 0000 mode changes to daylight and but, I find the driveway lights still operating at 90% and the Threshold is off. Neither should happen at 0000 hrs. Mode manager is supposed to switch to Day mode at sunrise.
Can you take screen shots of your rules and post them? Are you adding if statements to make it night to day? It sounds like you are and that could be the issue. But posting them for us would help.
I used to do the lights also with RM, but there is a better way to do this: "Motion and Mode Lighting" app in HE.
It works great and keeps your lights organized.
I'm having lots of problems with Basic Rules.
I've got a few threads about them, plus I've submitted them to support, where they've been passed on to the engineering team.
Basic rules are fairly new, and as such they might have a bug here or there. The other apps are a lot more ironed out.
My opinion is that Basic rules are really meant to get you started. They are great for that. But once you become more comfortable with things, the other apps really have a lot going for them, either with features, or better functionality, or whatever.
There are even community based apps that do things that the built-in apps can't and don't do. So try a few different things and see what is best for you.
Basic Rules isn't meant to be the perfect thing for all setups and all users.
Same advice above goes for you too @JRHintx. You might try what @ShadoW said about mode lighting. But screenshots of a "broken" rule will greatly help here.
Unfortunately, I cannot post a screen shot as the hub is at a different location and I failed to set it up for remote access. Next time I get to it, I will do both. @ShadoW Thanks. I will look into this app. AND, delete all rules not in use.
While Basic Rules seems to have some bugs, I am really suspecting Mode Manager or the connection between Mode Manager and the other apps. As, in each of the Apps - Basic, Simple and RM, things work if I manually change modes.
@JRHintx I have read your post again and could it be you might have switch the times? Instead of 00:00 hours, it's changes at 12:00 midday? You could try 11:59 PM/23:59 to make sure its switches at evening.
Also double check if the times are saved in the Mode manager (I had this once, I thought I saved it correctly but when I went into Mode Manager the time stamp was blank).
@ShadoW
Here are some screen shots of the Mode manager settings, logs, and app settings.
I think the problem is in Mode Manager judging from the logs where Day mode is being set at 0000 hrs and it is supposed to change at sunrise. I did as you suggested and verified the change time is NOT 1200 or 0000. It was set for "Sunrise." I am changing that to a fixed time of 0615 to if it continues to be an issue.
Nice and I think you're right. Maybe this will help:
Remove all days from "Set mode based on the weeks". I don't think that is necessary and might be in conflict (I think you already have that covered in "Set mode based on time of day").
Remove this setting and replace it with a new mode (settings > Location > Modes > Add mode) called Weekend (this makes your lighting easier to find and edit, especially in the Motion and Mode Lighting App).
All the rules you have for your driveway could be placed in 1 location like this, it has a nice overview which makes it easy to edit (and troubleshoot ).
PS I dont know why it says "Mode Lighting DOES NOT turn lights on/off because of mode changes. For that function use Simple Automation Rule." There is literally an option for that, maybe its added later on.
@ShadoW I followed your modifications for Mode Manager and rules started working as desired. Thank you!
Alas, I set up Motion and Mode lighting app per your example and nothing works when I manually switch modes. Logs indicate changed took place but nothing happens. After a bit of frustration, I deleted Motion Manager and reset the rules in SIMPLE rules. It works, or at least, it appears to work.
Let me tinker with it a few days.
Thanks for the assist.
From looking at Motion/Mode Lighting, I don't think it will follow my desired logic sequence to turn off both a switch and dimmer during the day. It only allows you set a dimmer to zero, not necessarily off.
The app should be capable of doing that, like you said you might need tinker with some of the 'Options for lights On/Off' settings to get it to work as desired. Maybe this will help you:
For turning ON lights per Mode
In the Motion and Mode Lighting App > Options for lights on" > "Switches to turn on lights" (Select device) >
Only turn on with Physical Action = OFF
Adjust levels when mode changes? = ON
For turning OFF lights per Mode
In the Motion and Mode Lighting App > "Lights to turn On or Off" > "Turn off switches per mode" > Select Modes
(@Hubitat_Staff ?) I noticed something weird is going in the M&M Lighting App
I have 2 different type of lights: a (Zigbee) Light bulb and an (Zigbee) RGB led strip controller. I want the lights to automatically change from mode/settings but NOT to turn on.
To realize this I have to put a different setting for the same result?
It's not a big issue at all because I made it work, its just strange why it does this. It might be when the dimmer level changes, it automatically turns on the bulb?
See the second and third 'option box' for the difference.
).
