HomeKit 2 automations at the same time possible?

[laudern]

I have a security light I would like to come on from sunset to sunrise and sit at around 20% brightness. However, if my motion detector detects motion I'd then like to have the light turn to 100% brightness for 5min.

I cannot get the motion detection automation to turn off after the 5min and have the light return to the 20% brightness of the sunset/sunrise automation. The light just stays stuck on the 100% brightness.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get these 2 automations to work simultaneously?

 

[Burger Thing]

I have a security light I would like to come on from sunset to sunrise and sit at around 20% brightness. However, if my motion detector detects motion I'd then like to have the light turn to 100% brightness for 5min.

I cannot get the motion detection automation to turn off after the 5min and have the light return to the 20% brightness of the sunset/sunrise automation. The light just stays stuck on the 100% brightness.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get these 2 automations to work simultaneously?

In addition to your sunset to sunrise automation:

Maybe run the Motion Detection Light as follows:
If motion detected: light 100%
then: turn off lights after 5 min

then another automation:

if Lights are changing power state to off:
under the condition time is between sunset and sunrise
turn on lights to 20%


I would also highly recommend Homebridge Server. You install timed dummy switches which makes programming of timed or delayed scenarios much easier.

 

[Itinj24]

The feature that turns off an automation after a set time period hasn’t worked in the past couple major updates at least.

 

[Burger Thing]

The feature that turns off an automation after a set time period hasn’t worked in the past couple major updates at least.

I have several automations which turn off accessories after a given time frame. Seem to be working fine.
If you have issues with automatic turn off after a set time then I would install Homebridge and use timed dummy switches. That should do the trick.

 

[Itinj24]

I have several automations which turn off accessories after a given time frame. Seem to be working fine.
If you have issues with automatic turn off after a set time then I would install Homebridge and use timed dummy switches. That should do the trick.

You have it working with the native HomeKit or HomeBridge?

 

[Burger Thing]

You have it working with the native HomeKit or HomeBridge?

I have for instance a bathroom fun natively running as timed automation in homekit. Once switched on, it will run for several minutes.

But the timed dummy switches in homebridge I mentioned are usually more powerful. They can be used to create more complex rules, for example involving delays. I would highly recommend it. It really expands the possibilities of homekit tremendously. Especially when used with apps like Home+ 6 or Controller which allow for far more complex conditional rules. Apple's Home App is useless IMHO.

 

[Itinj24]

I have for instance a bathroom fun natively running as timed automation in homekit. Once switched on, it will run for several minutes.

But the timed dummy switches in homebridge I mentioned are usually more powerful. They can be used to create more complex rules, for example involving delays. I would highly recommend it. It really expands the possibilities of homekit tremendously. Especially when used with apps like Home+ 6 or Controller which allow for far more complex conditional rules. Apple's Home App is useless IMHO.

So you’re saying this feature works good for you? Hasn’t worked for me since like iOS 14.

 

[Burger Thing]

So you’re saying this feature works good for you? Hasn’t worked for me since like iOS 14.

View attachment 2170025

Yes, works for my automations. The only difference: I am using Scenes and not the accessories directly because of the Third Party Homekit Limitations (Third party apps can't access a hardware directly to turn on/off something). So in my Home+ 6 app I would run a "Basement Light - On" scene and set: turn off after 15 min.

 

[Itinj24]

Yes, works for my automations. The only difference: I am using Scenes and not the accessories directly because of the Third Party Homekit Limitations (Third party apps can't access a hardware directly to turn on/off something). So in my Home+ 6 app I would run a "Basement Light - On" scene and set: turn off after 15 min.

Ok so you’re using this in a third party app. Doesn’t work well in the Home app. I’ve been experiencing the same thing as the OP (actually, the same exact automation as the OP) and it doesn’t go back after the set time period I have all the third party apps already so I’ll try there. I wanted to stay away from using scenes though with the 100 scene/automation limit. I have a lot of LIFX 4 gang switches that require them to use HomeKit scenes to turn on/off a light or whatever other accessory.

 

[Burger Thing]

Ok so you’re using this in a third party app. Doesn’t work well in the Home app. I’ve been experiencing the same thing as the OP (actually, the same exact automation as the OP) and it doesn’t go back after the set time period I have all the third party apps already so I’ll try there. I wanted to stay away from using scenes though with the 100 scene/automation limit. I have a lot of LIFX 4 gang switches that require them to use HomeKit scenes to turn on/off a light or whatever other accessory.

I see. Yes, the 100 scenes limit is a problem. If Apple only allowed direct hardware access it would make things so much easier. Maybe just use scenes for those timed automations.

Or better: install Homebridge and some dummy switch plugins. Those dummy switches can be configured as timers in Homebridge. And the timer dummy switches can be accessed via the Home App.

So, you would run an automation as follows, where you had set up a Timer Dummy in Homebridge to run for 15 min.

If Motion Detector = true
then Timer Dummy On
Basement Light On

Second Automation:
If Timer Dummy changes power state to Off
then Basement Light Off

Maybe give it a go!

 

[Itinj24]

I see. Yes, the 100 scenes limit is a problem. If Apple only allowed direct hardware access it would make things so much easier. Maybe just use scenes for those timed automations.

Or better: install Homebridge and some dummy switch plugins. Those dummy switches can be configured as timers in Homebridge. And the timer dummy switches can be accessed via the Home App.

So, you would run an automation as follows, where you had set up a Timer Dummy in Homebridge to run for 15 min.

If Motion Detector = true
then Timer Dummy On
Basement Light On

Second Automation:
If Timer Dummy changes power state to Off
then Basement Light Off

Maybe give it a go!

I’m not very savvy in coding and networking and all that stuff. Never had the time to learn it. I bought a HOOBs about six months ago and it’s still sitting in the box. Would love to start tinkering with HB but never really had the time. I supposed now’s a good time to get started.

I have experience with using smart outlets as dummy switches for automations- Opening garage doors, deactivating an alarm, unlocking locks, etc. Apple is supposed to just work but unfortunately that slogan has long since expired.

Appreciate all your input.

 

[Burger Thing]

I’m not very savvy in coding and networking and all that stuff. Never had the time to learn it. I bought a HOOBs about six months ago and it’s still sitting in the box. Would love to start tinkering with HB but never really had the time. I supposed now’s a good time to get started.

I have experience with using smart outlets as dummy switches for automations- Opening garage doors, deactivating an alarm, unlocking locks, etc. Apple is supposed to just work but unfortunately that slogan has long since expired.

Appreciate all your input.

Homekit has a lot of limitations and you are right, a lot of things just don't work. Hence my search for solutions like Homebridge. I am running an iMac pretty much 24-7 and that's for me the ideal platform to host a homebridge server. I was worried, too, about hassles with setting it up but to be honest, it couldn't be simpler: I just copied and pasted the commands of their website in Terminal, rastarted my iMac and I was up and running!

There is even a Homekit code on the Homebride server page in Safari and it's therefore super easy to add it to Homekit. Then on the server page is a plugin button you can press. Search for Dummy or Timers and it will suggest within Homebride 3-4 plugins which you can install just with a mouse click. The plugins have a link to a description and setting up dummy switches is very easy.

If you can set up real dummy switches via outlets (I have done the same in the past, BTW) then don't worry about Homebridge. There is no programming or coding involved.

Homebridge is super reliable and the timers will always work. After a while you can explore logic switches which allow for more complex automations with AND, OR, NOT (all delayed, timed, etc) conditions.

It will open a complete different horizon within Homekit.

 

[Itinj24]

Homekit has a lot of limitations and you are right, a lot of things just don't work. Hence my search for solutions like Homebridge. I am running an iMac pretty much 24-7 and that's for me the ideal platform to host a homebridge server. I was worried, too, about hassles with setting it up but to be honest, it couldn't be simpler: I just copied and pasted the commands of their website in Terminal, rastarted my iMac and I was up and running!

There is even a Homekit code on the Homebride server page in Safari and it's therefore super easy to add it to Homekit. Then on the server page is a plugin button you can press. Search for Dummy or Timers and it will suggest within Homebride 3-4 plugins which you can install just with a mouse click. The plugins have a link to a description and setting up dummy switches is very easy.

If you can set up real dummy switches via outlets (I have done the same in the past, BTW) then don't worry about Homebridge. There is no programming or coding involved.

Homebridge is super reliable and the timers will always work. After a while you can explore logic switches which allow for more complex automations with AND, OR, NOT (all delayed, timed, etc) conditions.

It will open a complete different horizon within Homekit.

Funny, I actually bought a Mac back in 2018 for the sole purpose of trying HomeBridge, otherwise I don’t really have a need for one, and I still haven’t tinkered yet lol. Tried dumbing it down with HOOBs and well, that’s still sitting in the box, unopened. Now here I am, contemplating pre-ordering the new HOOBs for $400 lol.

I really gotta start getting into HB. I heard it needs a lot of babysitting and was hoping Matter would mitigate the need for HB. There is one plug in that I’m really interested in and if not for anything else, it would be worth it for this alone. Getting my pool equipment into HK- Aqualink RS. I know HOOBs has a plug in for this. Looks scary though and I’d pay someone to install it.

 

[Burger Thing]

Don't worry about the coding and stuff on the plugin websites. That's just how the plugins were built or how they run. You won't be seeing any of that in Homebridge. I attached some pics of how to get and install the plugin and how you would set it up.

View attachment 2170579

 

[Itinj24]

Don't worry about the coding and stuff on the plugin websites. That's just how the plugins were built or how they run. You won't be seeing any of that in Homebridge. I attached some pics of how to get and install the plugin and how you would set it up.

View attachment 2170579View attachment 2170584View attachment 2170581View attachment 2170582View attachment 2170583

Thank you much!!!

So that’s basically it? Just hit “install” and done? Surely, there’s gotta be more to it lol.

 

[Burger Thing]

Thank you much!!!

So that’s basically it? Just hit “install” and done? Surely, there’s gotta be more to it lol.

That’s how you install the plugin, yes. The coding and Jason files examples on the plugin description pages are a bit misleading. After the easy installation you can set up the required parameters. Happy experimenting!

 

[Itinj24]

That’s how you install the plugin, yes. The coding and Jason files examples on the plugin description pages are a bit misleading. After the easy installation you can set up the required parameters. Happy experimenting!

Ahh I knew there had to be a catch lol. Oh well screw it. I’ll give it a shot this weekend.