I use a Hue indoor motion sensor setting on a window sill facing outside to the west to control my west facing shades. It reports illuminance without motion. With significant overcast cloud cover the sandes do not go down. Above x lux / illuminance is a required condition for the shade rule to run. I use a separate rule for shades up at sunset just in case we manually operated the shades and the required condition will not have been met to start the shades down rule.
Thanks, what’s the magic lux number you’ve found works for you? I base my lighting inside the house based on 8000 lux which seems to work well for that application but wasn’t sure if a window would be different for blinds.
My house is built like a bunker. Even on the brightest days I have to turn on the lights. Automated circadian lighting had a huge impact and I no longer feel like I'm living in a cave.
The original house was built in 1954 in the desert. Since air conditioning wasn't common at the time the windows are small and high on the walls. (Hah! While typing this a random ambient song is playing and a voice over came on: "And God said, let there be light." LOL)
I'm in the process of setting up an office space in a room that has a rare conventional window, Now that you made me think about it I really don't need the light right now, This has me thinking if I need to add ambient light levels to my lighting app. I can base it on modes as that is how my lighting app works but it wouldn't cover the rare cloudy day.
I have a mm wave sensor but it is under the desk so not ideal. The Iris sensors I use the most of don't do light level. The Hue sensors are outside. I have a Third Reality night light in another room but had other plans for it. Do I need to get a new sensor? You are such a bad influence!
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Definitely! Always default to new hardware!!
I have learned a lot from the other users who shared in this thread. I was thinking of putting those thirdreality night lights in several rooms. Now, I think that I will put just one lux sensor outside (in a protected area) and use that lux value for any indoor settings where there are windows. I could get an Aqara sensor via the slow boat from China for $16 or get another Linptech delivered tomorrow for $29. Oops! I just ordered the Linptech. Looks like I just committed myself to hours of fun re-doing my mode and motion lighting apps. The idea of using modes to manage that is appealing.
Although, if I use current outdoor lux to set modes what happens if it goes up and down during the day or early morning and evening?
Have fun!
Can you show how your modes get set? What illumination levels do you use to set the modes? I’m very curious about this setup.
Lux level fluctuates during the day more than you think (for instance passing clouds, etc.). For that matter all my lux-based rules have a min/max values for hysteresis and reasonable delays (like in my rule I posted above).
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They are pretty nice but rather chatty. I'm hesitant to use several of them.
That's a thought. I should get the Hue sensors back up and running. I think two of them are still functional.
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I use some Xiaomi Mijia GZCGQ01LM - they are excellent and are still found at Ali Express! - and also the Phillips Hue Motion Sensors, that although not so precise works well.
Hahaha. The mouse spontaneously clicked the “buy now” 
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I even average my 5 minute readings and then still have a secondary “bright day” with switching thresholds for when mode = day.
Definitely takes some time to tweak.
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