I want to check the status of a security light I.e is it in on/off/auto. Currently when using in condition check for automation I only get normal and error which means I can't combine it with sensors else where.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @barrywilson. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about security lights.
If you could share a little more information about the products you're using with our helpful members, I trust it will assist them with providing solutions. What security light and what program app are you using?Let me mention @CSParnell, as I'm sure he'll be eager to assist once we hear some more details.Mitchell
I am using "Arlec 20W Grid Connect Smart Security Light With Movement Activated Sensor" and "Arlec Grid Connect Smart Home Sensor Kit" along with grid connect software. I am trying to combine and make them work together ie extend the range using more motion sensors. If I set the security light to on manully through the app not auto I want it to stay on without other sensors causing it to time off. I know there is a conditional check when setting up automated tasks but it will not give me the mode of the security light so I can't conditionally combine them. Other solutions motioned in posts have access to modes on or off, the security light does not expose the mode it is in
Arlec 20W Grid Connect Smart Security Light With Movement Activated Sensor do no expose events about sensor so cannot trigger any automated tasks. Cannot even read current sensor status to be combined with other conditions making it useless to extend its capabilities with other devices.
There is a free PIR sensor on board why can't it be used or combined to make complex tasks
Hi @barrywilson,
I've contacted Arlec, and they believe an automation can be created when the light is triggered. They're happy to assist you and can set a light up at their end to walk you through the process. The Arlec technical assistance team can be reached on Ph. 1300267168
If you continue to have issues, please let us know.
Mitchell
Ok thanks I have called them but no answer as yet getting call back. I can't see how it is done. Do you have any instructions on how as more then likely won't get call back. Thank you
Spoke to Arlec Australia and this is not supported which is not very good. Only option I have figured out is to add another sensor and use that to control a group of security lights switching between modes.
Many thanks for your feedback that it would be beneficial to allow multiple sensors to operate a single security light @barrywilson. The team at Arlec are continually working to improve the features of their Grid Connect products, so I trust they will appreciate you taking the time to contact them.
Please let me know if you need assistance returning the products you can't use.
Ok thanks appreciated
@barrywilson could this not be done through a trigger scene rather than an Automation?
I'm a little lost on the Automation path sorry of what you are trying to achieve can you step it out below so I can have a play and see if I can get it close to what you are looking for?
Cheers Carl
No not really as the security lights sensor does not expose any events to watch except error status which is no good. Automation can be done using another sensor standalone which could trigger a scene that does work but when setting up complex combinations this does not work as I can tell state of security light. 🤔 hope that helps
@barrywilson you should see the sensor position change on the front screen but I will check tomorrow, even if you don't you should still be able to write the flow of automated commands to trigger other sensors. I am about to install a second PIR onto this one circuit and will be joining them electrically and by software.
Your automation should be.
When any condition is met
Sensor status1 ON
Sensor status 2 ON
Side Lights ON
Set a delay 5 min
Sensor status 1 AUTO
Sensor status 2 AUTO
Side Lights OFF
Something like that
Cool thanks, that's what I have done. I also have a trigger to turn all security lights to on when I want. To prevent my sensor from resetting this I added a standard light close by where I can check its status. I use an all conditions check, if it is on to not run this routine. Bit of a hack but seems to work. Hope that is useful.
Using another PIR seems the easiest thing to do, thinking of using this plus standard flood lights with a grid switch would work albeit software driven only. Shame as I bought 3 x grid security lights which are expensive
Ah ok I have not seen the options on the sensor lights themselves I only run the PIR to turn on standard downlights.
Sounds like you have exhausted all avenues.
@barrywilson long shot but worth a try, if you have a Samsung you can look at Smart Things. You would need to bring your hardware devices over into Tuya App so that Smart Things can talk to it but Smart Things has a few more command options than Grid Connect and Tuya alone. Failing that as you say it's another PIR sensor.
Thanks appreciated, I do have smart home, seems they must all be branded software as they look the same. Also have kasa, yd home, grid connect. Looks as if smart home potentially has access to more properties of the device but I will check. Sadly not on one's I have already setup as it would be a pain to reconnect. Not sure if smart home can use arlec products I will test.
I think for what I want I may need too another PIR and physically disable on-board pir which feels waste full albeit I could use them for other purposes. I believe the standalone pir do expose all props
Hi @barrywilson this is why people end up going down the rabbit hole of localised servers, custom code and flashing devices to other systems to achieve certain outcomes.
Many off the shelf systems are not meant to be for the hard core coders and IT gurus but regular users as we can appreciate. Unfortunately like we both know the more we get into it the more we learn and the more we want. I am in exactly the same boat and now starting to work across multiple software platforms to achieve my outcomes, I am trying to encourage my very smart son to get into Tuya Local so then we can take it further.
Hopefully the PIR resolves the issue and maybe you can relocate the PIR floodlights elsewhere for a standalone application and replace with a standard floodlight.
Any questions at all mate let me know.
@CSParnell this is a great post, appreciate it. Clearly you picked up I am in the trade. Actually I was in the automation trade of microcontrollers and logic controllers I miss that time. Currently in the software trade. Off the shelf programmable devices are so cool and easy to use, sadly those that have or know something always push the boundaries. I solved the problem using an extra light where I could track its status but like all engineers I don't like my hack as it is not elegant but it works so for now i am trying to ignore it 🤔. I have now moved on to making a software flip-flop circuit to ring my alarm bell purely software driven no mechanical switching, i had to do this as the collapsing inductive circuit sent feedback into the house preventing the software switch from working. You may like it I built it from parts that i found at a farmers market. I will post image of it. It actually works and annoys everyone when I activate it remotely:-), i made a steam punk coat rack, the firebell is at the bottom controlled with a software switch, the light at the top is of course rgb controllable. I basically had to create two triggers for the flip-flop circuit, yes hacky again 🙄 . Very very cool to get your kids into this, it is the best brain trade you can be in. Leads to full AI, machine learning and even better lots of disco money 💰 🤑. Hope this helps 👌
