I just received my hub about a week ago and I'm having issues getting a lighting rule to work in Rules Machine. I came from Homeseer, so I am used to home automation and rule formatting for integrations. I've attempted multiple times excluding and re-discovering my z-wave devices and I've also attempted a complete reset of my hub. Here's the rules I'm having issues with:
Rule #1:
Trigger Event "When time is Sunset-30 minutes"
Action "On: Light Switch"
Rule #2:
Trigger Event "When time is Sunrise-30 minutes"
Action "Off: Light Switch"
Rule #1 works perfectly every time. However, Rule #2 does not work. It makes no sense to me. Anyone have any insight on why this is happening?
It should work, seems simple enough. These are two separate rules in RM? Hard to say why it is not working from what you posted.
Perhaps turn on logging in your rule and see what the log says. You could also post a screen shot of the rule, perhaps someone will see something you are missing.
IMHO use simple lighting- (simple automations) for this rule. It's recommended to only use Rule Machine when you need complicated calculations or something that is not available in motion lighting, simple automations, and notifications apps. All are native apps but you need to add them to your hub through the built in apps menu.
[EDIT]
Also, your system might have to establish the sunset time when it checks in with the servers. It's been a long time since the question was asked, but if you search it out here, you'll come across the answer. I would take a moment to verify that your location and timezone is correct in your hub under settings.
Then, load the simple automations app, set it up in one rule and move on to something more fun.
Welcome to Hubitat
Per your advice I've uninstalled the Rules Machine and I've installed Simple Automation Rules. However, I cannot achieve my desired result with a single rule. I have to create two rules; here's what I've done:
What is the procedure for requesting a return and refund? If this does not work, then I'll just go back to HomeSeer. I don't want to continue to troubleshoot and work with a hub that cannot get a simple lighting automation done. It really dissuades me from wanting to try anything more complex.
So I did a reboot. Then I changed the timezone to Pacific Timezone. Then I rebooted. Then I changed the Timezone to Eastern Timezone. Then I rebooted again. The Event Log still does not show a sunrise time.
Yeah I'm not fooling around with all this mess. The Hubitat hub should be able to do a simple light automation triggered off the sunrise/sunset. How can their hub be bugged to not know the sunrise time? I've searched through the forum and see a lot of people having similar issues with the sunrise triggers. I'm just going to return for a refund. Thanks for all the replies and attempts to help.
Look through the whole list while you are in timezones. Is Eastern really the closest match for your exact location? (They aren't always alphabetical by the way.) I have two other choices that are more specific for my State, and a close by metro area, in addition to Eastern zone. (3 total)
I have suggested before to try the more specific locations when seeing this behavior, and nobody has really given feedback whether doing this works or not. But they never said it didn't work either. If it is related to using "Eastern" instead of "New York" that might help to track down a bug or whatever.
Regardless if the timezone is right or wrong. There is a sunrise time that is associated with whatever timezone is set. My light NEVER turns off even though there is a rule that states says "Turn off at sunrise-30 minutes."
You also have to make sure that your hub's location is correct. Sunrise is not only based on timezone but your long/lat as well. I have my timezone set for US/Eastern and it works for me. If you go into your hub's location setting it will display the sunrise and sunset times. If those are not set correctly, nothing will work. But that is where you can check it.
