How to create a Grid Connect automation to turn off lights after a set time?

Hi Team,

I am trying to figure out if there is a work around for the following automation without receiving notification of failure to execute when turning switch off during timer count down.

What I am wanting to set up is a simple:

Light switch On

Light Globe on

Timer 5 Min

Light Globe Off

The issue is if that light switch is turned off during the count down I will get a notification of failure to execute the Light Globe Off command.

Why do I want this?

The kids leave the lights on all the time so I want them to time out and turn off but if we walk by and switch them off then they are off.

If they carry through the automation and we want to manually switch them back on we just use 2 sec off the switch back on to turn the Globe back on.

I emailed Arlec and they advised no individual muting notification at this time but I thought I'd ask if anyone knows of a work around.

Simple automation chain below.

Screenshot_20220615-164715_Grid Connect.jpg

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Comments

Jason

Hi again @CSParnell,

Let me tag a few Workshop members who might be able to share their thoughts with you: @MikeTNZ, @EricL, @cliveg, @ericd3nholm, @n860cr.

Jason

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/20022#Comment_20022

Thank you

EricL

Hi @CSParnell

Have you considered putting in an Arlec Grid Connect Smart Motion Sensor? This should make the programming a bit more straight forward just like in this discussion - Grid Connect motion sensor software issues by @ericd3nholm. I then suggest neutralizing the manual switch and leaving it to the motion sensor to keep the light on or off.

Let me call on another Grid enthusiast @macduff89 for their recommendation for this type of set-up.

Eric

macduff89

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/20028#Comment_20028

@CSParnell what type of switch is this with? Try using the countdown action under the instead of a timer. I have tried this with a double light switch and it seems to do what you’re after. Switching off before the set time doesn’t produce any notification.

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72696#Comment_72696

@macduff89

Hey Mate,

When you say double switch are you referring to a 2 way switch? Either way it's breaking the power to the light fitting.

I will try the count down tomorrow and see how that goes and will let you know cheers.

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/20028#Comment_20028

Hi Eric I am considering this for garage lights (for the other lights) but it's not economical for multiple rooms in the house or pleasing to the eye internal.

Carl.

macduff89

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99763#Comment_99763

@CSParnell I’m talking about one of these: Deta Grid Connect Smart Double Gang Touch Light Switch

Sorry might have misunderstood. I have smart switches for most of my lights so it’s a little bit different. Not sure what actions exist in the app for smart bulbs. If they have the countdown action it should still work.

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116720#Comment_116720

No there is not a count down option on the bulbs only a set delay so that complicates things.

Screenshot_20220616-232049_Grid Connect.jpg

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126461#Comment_126461

Hi @CSParnell,

I just had another chat with Arlec to see if there was any way around this issue. They suggested that there will always be a notification of failure to execute in the automation section. Have you tried setting a timer under the globe section? If this timer can't action because of the globe already being turned off, no notification is sent.

I was provided with this information regarding setting a countdown timer, so I would expect that there is a countdown option under the globe section and not just a daily timer of when it turns on and off. However, I suspect the timer option is purely for scheduling a daily routine and not for your intended purpose.

I've provided feedback to our supplier that it would be beneficial to be able to disable this notification, as it inhibits the primary timer function of turning globes off to save power.

Mitchell

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132942#Comment_132942

Hi Mitchell

Thanks for that, I have had some more time this morning trying to nut this out and yes under the globe section there is a count down but it is a one shot count down timer and doesn't trigger on further change of states either via the app or via a standard switch.

Looks like I'll have to wait to see if Arlec will implement individual notification switching on and off in future update.

Carl

Screenshot_20220617-104616_Grid Connect.jpg

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132942#Comment_132942

Hi @MitchellMc,

That countdown timer on the globe side is only a one shot timer only meaning that the first time you add it, it works fine but after that either turning the globe off via the app or turning the device off line via the switch and back on will not activate that timer again.

I can confirm it does not send a message if that count down timer is interrupted midway though.

So the 2 options for Arlec are program that Countdown timer to be multi pass and activated by commands of off/on soft switch and off/on hard switch via globe off-line/ online

Add a notification enable / disable toggle for individual devices.

Hope that make sense.

Screenshot_20220622-192819_Grid Connect.jpg

Screenshot_20220622-192809_Grid Connect.jpg

ColFirefly

@CSParnell

Hey CS,

Your post was exactly where I was trying to go with some light automation, although I wanted the lights to latch on a motion sensor rather than a switch (switches are too expensive for the average joe to install given the requirement for a sparkie).

The thread here pointed me in the seemingly correct direction of the countdown function, as this acts as a pseudo-latch for motion detection (the triggers are more like a button press than a state-detect, annoying but can be worked around).

It seems that some lights have the timer countdown as an action that you can perform, but not others.

The bathroom RS80 with a timer as an action.The toilet light with no such action available

The bathroom light is an RS80, the timer surfaces in actions. Seems to test OK, if the sensor triggers again, it resets the timer from what I can see.

The toilet light, a regular BNC globe, does not show timer in automation actions. So I run into the issue that you do.

What we need is for all globes to surface their countdown timer in automation actions, then these use cases should work.

Please note, that the countdown will trigger a switch reversal, an off light will turn on at the end of the timer and vice-versa.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/20425#Comment_20425

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @ColFirefly. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your feedback.

Let me mention @CSParnell, so they are alerted to your reply.

If you ever get stuck, please feel free to give the Arlec technical assistance team a call. I've found them quite helpful when trying to troubleshoot Grid Connect issues.

I'll also pass on your feedback about all globes having countdown timers in the automation actions.

We look forward to hearing all about the projects and plans that you have going on around the house and garden. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you ever need assistance or have something to share.

Mitchell

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/20425#Comment_20425

@ColFirefly how I had it worked out was working good but the notifications if I disrupted the automation were the killer for me which I'm hoping Arlec add an individual notifications switch on /off per device and that would make some good additions to the software.

I also go to look for the If, And, Else commands as well but that is getting to complex.

It is good there is so much interaction taking place and also ppl are hitting road blocks that's fine we are providing ideas and solutions to Arlec to improve on.

ColFirefly

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/72921#Comment_72921

@CSParnell Hey mate,

Hmmm, that's weird, I don't seem to get any notification of failure if I try to set a status that doesn't work.

Actually, looking at your initial image, I can see that your light is 'Offline'. Is the light physically connected to the switch in question? It could be that the reason for the notification failure is that the light isn't responding, because when you switch it off, it is *OFF*?

Perhaps you would be better off turning the switch off with the automation and not the light? Although, that will make it hard for you to force the light on when you yourself need it.

Regards,

Michael

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/99884#Comment_99884

@ColFirefly it would have been just one of the images captured during the process.

The light is hard wired to the switch it us a standard 230V Clipsal 10a switch run to a Batten holder and then an Arlec BC grid connect globe.

Turning it off via the automation is not an issue and if I want to turn it back on via the switch it's a simple turn switch off for 2 sec then back on to override.

But what I am trying to do is have certain light on timers evertimw they are turned on (triggered on status) and the run for that count down and turn off which works fine, but if I turn the switch off (interupt) the count down I will get a notification that the light has failed to trigger that automation which is painful because if my wife or I see a light on we want to turn it off by the switch and not get notifications. And if we don't see it then the timer will turn it off.

ColFirefly

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/116784#Comment_116784

@CSParnell Oh! So sorry mate, totally misunderstood your hardware setup there.

Yeah, so because the light is physically off it cannot respond to the command to turn off. Bummer.

TBH I wouldn't mind some more complex automation along the lines of if/then/else, at least we could then recheck the state and prevent commands going out that are not required. I'd prefer state-checking, but that would be way harder on server time than basic state change automation.

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126498#Comment_126498

All good, yeah a simple notification off for that device would solve the issue nicely.

There are ways to bring in more complex commands via Tuya and Smart Things and even Tuya Local but I'm trying to avoid that route atm due to the simplicity of Grid Connect but we will see.

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/126498#Comment_126498

Ok @ColFirefly @MitchellMc @EricL I have resolved this problem this morning by moving those devices I want that automation on across to the Tuya App platform, because Arlec use Tuya chips this is possible.

With the Tuya platform it doesn't give me a notification of failure when the switch is turned off. And hence fixes my issue.

The Tuya platform is also supported in Google Home, Smart Things, IFTTT and if you do want to get deep into it you can go local.

You are not going to be able to get Arlec support for programming in Tuya so keep that in mind and certain devices have to be hardware flashed which I Strongly advise against.

Hopefully Arlec resolves the issue and ill move the devices back under the 1 roof.

Screenshot_20220706-124832_Google Play Store.jpg

Screenshot_20220706-124641_Tuya Smart.jpg

Screenshot_20220706-124647_Tuya Smart.jpg

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132967#Comment_132967

Unfortunately for what ever reason tonight after trialing this morning endlessly and not getting notifications I got one tonight in Tuya the same as Grid Connect grrrr but since I will run these devices separate in Tuya I can turn notifications off for the whole app.

Defeats the purpose somewhat but will do for the time being

ColFirefly

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136951#Comment_136951

Thanks for the heads-up on the Tuya app mate. I'll give that one a look with the globes I have yet to install. Maybe it will have some options that I haven't seen yet?

Hopefully we can get some traction on either notifications or timers from Arlec. 🙂

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/132942#Comment_132942

I was finally able to resolve this within Grid Connect with the addition of a Deta smart 3 gang switch. After trying many many attempts of different automations and triggering on and off scenes what I found was trying to Jog to command via off-line / online trigger (static switching) is not stable and it only triggers the automation some of the time. Although I was able to work around the notification issue via switching off automations via enable / disable automations when light off/on the initial trigger was still not stable.

The addition of the Deta smart switch provides constant power and only switches the bulb via enable / disable whilst under wifi command though sometimes I did watch it take up to a minimum to cycle through local to cloud and back again but only about 10%.

So with that I have 3 switches, 2 lights and an exhaust fan.

The main light is set to a 7min timer then turns yellow then another 7min then off this is to tell the kids to get out of the shower.

The second light has just a straight timer for 15min (Auto Off Function)

The third the exhaust fan has 2 triggers 1 is a straight Auto Off for 20min, the second is an Automation that is if the temp sensor I've got next to the shower with the humidity hits greater than 90% the exhaust runs for 20min (I may need to adjust this and or add a light switch into it if it goes off in summer).

But the big kicker is because the switch provides constant power breaking the automation with switching the devices off does not send an automation error like it does with a static switch because the smart bulb is not loosing network.

So this same approach can be applied for energy saving for setting Auto off on switches with the ability to turn them off prior to the timer counting out without notification.

Please note switches must be installed by a licensed electrician which I am fortunate enough to be but I think a write up of switches vs globes may need to be written soon to compare what they can and can't do.

See the automation chains below.

Screenshot_20220804-153246_Grid Connect.jpg

Screenshot_20220804-161551_Grid Connect.jpg

Screenshot_20220804-161602_Grid Connect.jpg

Screenshot_20220804-161609_Grid Connect.jpg

Screenshot_20220804-161621_Grid Connect.jpg

Screenshot_20220804-162124_Grid Connect.jpg

Screenshot_20220804-172622_Grid Connect.jpg

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136990#Comment_136990

Hi @CSParnell

In your opinion does the touch-activated light switch last longer than the rocker-style switches?

Eric

Cambiz

Hi Carl,

I am looking at a few PowerPoints to switch to Grid so I can remotely control a couple of plugged in devices.

My question is, can you set a device to stay on for one hour every time you manually or smartly turn on the PowerPoint?

My bathroom exhaust fan is clumsily installed - not by me -plugged into an accessible power point (PP), operated by the PP switch.

I would like the grid PP to stay on for only 1 hour when turned on, automatically turning off after an hour.

Can this be configured?

My housemate constantly leaves the exhaust fan on all day - sucking what little warmth we get in winter.

Thanks in advance

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/38643#Comment_38643

Hello @Cambiz

Let me tag @CSParnell to make them aware of your question. It sounds like an automation program needs to be applied. However, I'm not sure if it will work with power points as the program mentioned earlier in the discussion referrers to motion detection. Sort of like "if" detected "set" timer to 1 hour "Action" off.

I suggest checking the options on the grid app and see if it has options for timing and action.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

CSParnell

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/38643#Comment_38643

@Cambiz you can some what do it but your not meant to be able to according to Arlec and you may not get 100% success rate.

This is something I used to do on an under bench instantaneous hot water heater by using a smart plug with energy monitoring.

Now why I say your not meant to be able to do it is because you shouldn't set an action or trigger off the device being turned on by 230v this is because of the time it takes for it to register on the cloud network but here is the trick with the smart plug with energy monitoring.

The way you set them is your first trigger is you set when mains voltage is greater than 100 then smart plug turn ON, next action, Timer or countdown for say 1hr, next action Smart Plug Off.

If you want to leave the power point switch in all the time it makes it easier.

Automation 1

Trigger - Smart Plug ON

Action - Countdown 1hr

Action - Smart Plug Off

Automation 2

Tap to trigger

Create a tap to trigger automation button

Follow steps on automation 1

The countdown may not need the Smart Plug Off after it I can't remember that maybe just for timer function.

Hope that helps some.

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