HomeKit Fine-tuned HomeKit sunrise / sunset settings

[MonstaMash]

The Home app went from my unused folder to now a controller of over 20 accessories. I am finding that some of the automations are a bit limited though.

I have a staircase light that only needs to turn on for a minute when it's dark outside and there's motion. I'd like the brightness to vary depending on if it's during the evening or at night. I am using a motion sensor to detect presence.

Any thoughts as to how to create the following automation in HomeKit? I found the sunset/sunrise settings to be fairly limiting.

- 1 hour before Sunset to 11:30PM
Turn on Staircase light to 100% brightness
Turn off after 1 minute

- 11:30PM until Sunrise
Turn on Staircase light to 1%
Turn off after 1 minute

 

[cjbryce]

Ok, I'm not sure if this will work as you want to mix and match types of times and the Home app doesn't (yet) allow that but I'll try to run this out. sorry I can't upload screen shots and I'm jiggling between iPhone and laptop as I type.

Automation A

1. Go to Automations
2. Tap +
3. Choose "A sensor detects something"
4. Choose the relevant sensor
5. Tap Next
6. Tap Time
7. Tap At night
8. Tap the exclamation point
9. Select Start time 1 hour before sunset
10. Tap Next
11. Choose the accessory (staircase light)
    1. Set to turn on 100%
12. Tap turn off
13. Select After 1 minute
14. Tap done

This should mostly handle requirement 1

Automation B

1. Go to Automations
2. Tap +
3. Choose "A sensor detects something"
4. Choose the relevant sensor
5. Tap Next
6. Tap Time
7. Tap Specific times
8. Select Start time 23:30
9. Select Stop time 07:00
10. Tap Next
11. Choose the accessory (staircase light)
12. Set to turn on 1%
13. Tap turn off
14. Select After 1 minute
15. Tap done

This should mostly handle requirement 2.

The problem is I have no idea if Automation A will always take precedence over Automation B or of Home is smart enough to work out that B supersedes A. Best just to try it and see what happens

 

[MonstaMash]

Thanks! I tried that out. During the night, the light quickly turns on at 100% then almost instantly goes to 1%. So it seems like both rules are followed. It's not quite ideal because it gets bright for a second, but I can live with it.

 

[rhett7660]

Thanks! I tried that out. During the night, the light quickly turns on at 100% then almost instantly goes to 1%. So it seems like both rules are followed. It's not quite ideal because it gets bright for a second, but I can live with it.

Maybe stager the times and also add in dim the light to 50% after one minute instead of going from 100 to 1?

 

[stridemat]

Did you ever get this resolved? I am interested in doing the same.

 

[waw74]

you can use the eve app. you don't need any eve devices, it will work with all homekit devices.

it's a second "front end" for the home app, has a couple extra items. A lot of the stuff like scenes will be accessible in both apps.

it will let you add conditions to triggers, "when sensor trips if it's daytime do ..." so you'd just need a pair of automations.
you can also use the status of other devices as conditions.

these "advanced" automations will still work with home hubs so you don't need the eve app running for them to happen.

 

[stridemat]

Ah ok. Shall take a look.
Thanks.