I'm trying to set up a specific rule using Rule Machine, and I'm wondering if how I have it configured is the best way of going about it. I have a hot water circulation pump hooked up to a z-wave outlet. If the temperature outside is below freezing, I'd like the pump to turn on for 2 minutes at a time every 30 minutes. I have the "Conditions" set to the outside temp being <= 32 degrees. If true, I configured it to "repeat these actions" every 30 minutes, and then the actions themselves are to turn on the hot water pump and also a "delayed off" for the pump after 2 minutes.
My question is two-fold. First, should this rule work? Secondly, is there a better/simpler way of setting it up? Thanks in advance to anyone who can assist.
It looks solid to me, as well as simple enough which is a GOOD thing. Simple wins...I've learned that the hard way. So it looks like you want the pump to run for 4 minutes at a time? I say that because of the 2 minute delay. OR...do you want it to run for 2 minutes after the threshold is FALSE?
I'm thinking you're going to run into an issue where the rule evaluates TRUE every time the temp sensor updates, leading to multiple ons and scheduled offs. You really only want one repeating action.
I ran into something similar with my hot tub, where I wanted to get a notification when the temp exceeded 99 degrees. It worked, but then every time the temp sensor reported a new temperature that was over 99 degrees I'd get another notification because the rule was re-evaluated, still true, so the actions fired again.
I think you're going to have to split it into two rules.
Rule 2: If Private Boolean is True, turn on the pump, delayed off 2 minutes, repeat every 30 minutes
Rule 1: If temp <= 32 degrees, when True set private boolean true for Rule 2, when False set private boolean False for Rule 2
My goal is to have it turn on for 2 minutes when the temp drops below 32 degrees, and then repeat that process every 30 minutes as long as the temp stays below 32 degrees. So it would end up being 4 minutes per hour but in 2-minute increments.
I have 2 rules that turn my hot water on and off between certain times if the heating is on. The reason being my system will always heat the water first, then switch to the heating. This way it cycles between the 2.
Here they are and maybe they could give you ideas in what you are trying to do.
