Simple rule machine fail

[pensruleice]

Hello: I can not get a simple rule for a simple light timer to work....
Name this Rule*

Define Required Expression
Mode is Away(F) [FALSE]

Select Trigger Events
When time is Sunset-20 minutes(7:47 PM)

Select Actions to Run (and Create and Manage Conditions and Local Variables)
On: First Floor Outlet --> delayed: 0:26:40(random) Wait for event: When time is 12:10 AM Off: First Floor Outlet

I watched the video, followed the guidelines, Help

[danabw]

Can you put into words what your goal is w/this automation? Just so we know what you're trying to do, and how it compares to the rule you've posted.

Thanks! You'll get there, lots of helpful people here.

[pensruleice]

Sure, I would welcome the help. All I want is a simple light timer, that goes on and off at random times, that is set for when I am away. Nothing complicated. I watched the video, and thought I had it. It will not work. Is it because I am "armed away"?

[danabw]

So I've never used random timings so no expert, but I have pretty good search skills, and found below searching for "rule machine random lights" -

Scheduling lights with more randomness

Hello, I'm trying to create a rule that runs through a specific schedule. For instance, at 5:00am, delay a random time between 0 and 15 minutes, then turn on a set of lights. Then at 10am, delay a random time between 0 and 15 minutes, then turn off that set of lights. At around 6:30am turn on another set of lights then turn off again at around 9:30am. etc. Is there any way to have all of this in one rule? From my understanding, the rule only kicks off once a trigger is activated, like using the …

Random time rule for lights

Looking to do the following but I am not sure how. It is sort of a vacation rule, I want to have certain lights come one at a random time overnight and shut off after so much time, but i want the start time to be randomized each night. So say the rule is: Anytime after 12:00AM and before 4:30AM. Turn on specific lights at a random time. Keep lights on for random amount of time. Turn off lights by 5:00AM the latest. I do not want to have tons of rules to do this, hoping to create…

Random lights during set time period

I am trying to set some lights to "look" random for when we are away. I can build the actions but I can't seem to get the trigger right. This is logic of what I am trying to do. Rule only runs between sunset and 10pm Once triggered, the rule waits for a random delay (between 0 and 30 mins). The lights then turn on for a random time between 0 and 30 mins. Lights turn off. If it is still between sunset and 10pm, then repeat. I am sure that this is simple, but I can't seem to crack it! Thanks…

What’s the best way to randomize lights to appear home?

Lutron caseta and hue lights, thank you

WIfe demands I move on to family activities, hope above helps.

[kahn-hubitat]

If you.want random lights while away look at this app instead.

lgkahn/hubitat/blob/master/vacatlighting.groovy

[pensruleice]

That looks perfect, however I can not find it in the built in apps section. How would I go about getting this app?

[kahn-hubitat]

Its not buiit in .. either install hubitat package manager and search for.it. or click on the above app
. Goto raw.

Cut and paste it.into the app code section in hubitat. The when you goto add app it should be available.

[pensruleice]

Thank you kahn-habitat, but that is wayyy over my head. It seems like it would work, but I can not find package manager, and it will not paste into the app code. I just wanted something simple, and easy to set up. I am not into hubitat full time lol!

[kahn-hubitat]

Did u click.new app first

[danabw]

If you'd like to use Rule Machine, this seems to work fine for me.

You need to set up your required expression and trigger (I used a button so I could try it repeatedly w/out waiting for some timed event).

Log results below showing "on" time delays for two different runs of the rule. Note that the first time it runs, the random delay to turn on (which is set to a max of only 1m for testing purposes) is 09:53:21 > 09:53:26 = 5s. The second time it runs, the random delay to turn on is 09:54:01 to 09:54:50 = 49s.

I set the delay to fixed 10s just to make my testing fast/simple. You could make both ON and OFF commands random if you wanted to, of course.

[pensruleice]

I watched a video on how to install developer apps and was able to load this vacation lighting app! I have it set for away (which I also had to add mode manager). We shall see if this works tonight. I will let you know.

[pensruleice]

Thank you danabw! I am trying a developer app first. If I can't get it to work I will go with your directions (thanks for including the snapshot)!

[danabw]

Yup - my favorite approach (especially for stuff I'm not going to be mucking with much) is an app. Requires less familiarity w/stuff.

I have vacation lighting app in place myself, just had totally forgot about it.

If and when you want to start playing around w/Rule Machine you can come back to the example if you want. Enjoy.

[kahn-hubitat]

@danabw

I have vacation lighting app in place myself, just had totally forgot

that the beauty of this app, set it and forget it.. I sometimes even get on the dashboard in the hub in my empty house and am like.. "what the fff are those lights on for", before i even remember about this app.