Grid Connect tips, tricks and help

[CSParnell]

Hi all,

I thought it may he good to have a feed where we could share any tips and tricks to do with any of the Grid Connect Range being Arlec, Deta, Verve, Orion.

I am learning from trial and error and really just accident so sharing with others and sharing back we may be able to create some good learning information for us all.

Please post below starting with what the trick is as the title then how to do so as the body of information.

Carl 

[GreenHouse]

Hi @R4addZ
I think it all gets down to personal choice and your specific application & requirements.
However . . .
The Grid Connect App is not only compatible with Grid Connect devices (obviously), but it’s also compatible with Tuya devices, and there's a wide range of interesting low cost devices available from many manufacturers (check AliExpress).
The Grid Connect App is also compatible with Zigbee devices with a Tuya ZigBee Multi-mode Gateway Hub.
I have many Grid Connect, Tuya and Zigbee devices automating my home, all controlled with the Grid Connect App.

.@CSParnell

Full credit to Carl Parnell for his advice, encouragement, inspiration and generosity 🙂.

[Innov8tive]

I bought this WIZ smart light from Bunnings. Have tried pairing it up to my oppo android phone. I've had so many issues. I needed something straight forward and simple but it's just been so stressful. Contacted wiz even and that was a nightmare in itself. I simply want a smart light that connects to an app that I don't need a nest or device that links to Alexa. I simply want to control it through an app without buying anything extra. Ant tips on a better smart light? It needs to be a bayonet and not a screw in. Pic of bulb for type of light I bought. 

 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Innov8tive,

I'd recommend you return that globe and swap it over for an Arlec B22 LED 830lm RGB CCT Colour Mode Grid Connect Smart 10W Globe. This globe uses the Grid Connect App, which you download to your phone; no need to connect it to any other device.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Innov8tive]

Hey Mitchell! 

That's fantastic, I'll get that one instead. Cheers. 

[CSParnell]

@Innov8tive @MitchellMc 

Wiz can be used as standalone without any other device I have Wiz globes running this way and no issues at all through the Android Wiz app. 

Alternative Grid Connect work fine thought their app or Smart Life App on both platforms.

[Innov8tive]

@CSParnell 

Tried the wiz lights brand. Didn't like it and had a fair few issues. Swapped to the grid connect. No issues and easy in their app. 

[BillandSue]

Hello, I’ve only just joined… 

we purchased the Arlec outdoor sensor light that has the grid connect application 

so far I have had to reset re configure the lamp due to issues 

All we want is for this light to come on during darkness BUT it’s coming on during the day… I have been onto Arlec and the send me instructions on how to set this up BUT it’s still coming on during the day and when the light comes on at night the light will not go off 

Hi  Bill     ,

Thank you for your query.

Please follow the below steps to setup and automation

- Create a new automation, select option- when device status changes

- Select your sensor light > motion state > motion

- Click on + sign in front of then 

- Select > control single device> select your sensor light > on/off > on > Save > next

- select precondition > activate period> night

Please feel free to contact us if you need anything further.

Kind Regards,

This was sent to me today and we have followed the instructions to the letter and as I mentioned before the light still comes on during the day and when it comes on at night the light stays on and don’t go off…. 
can someone with another idea help us on this 

Regards 

Bill 

[JacobZ]

Hi @BillandSue,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

Unfortunately, I am not experienced enough with the system to assist beyond what Arlec has already sent you. 

Allow me to tag @CSParnell to see if he can spot anything in the automation that might be causing the issues.

Hopefully he is available and will respond shortly.

Jacob

[GreenHouse]

@BillandSue 

I do have several separate Movement Sensors controlling different things in my house, but I don't have an 'Arlec Outdoor Sensor Light' and obviously I've never set up an Automation for one.

Having said that, the logic provided by Arlec looks generally OK to turn the light ON, BUT there appears to be NO logic to turn the light OFF.

The following should be taken as general advice only and may have to be tweaked to suit your device and requirements.

Depending on your requirements, you could 'set a delay (time-lapse)' after:

'- Select > control single device> select your sensor light > on/off > on > Save > next'

eg Click on the '+' sign and select 'set a delay (time-lapse)' and adjust the delay time to suit eg 5 mins.

Then, after the time delay, add an 'OFF' instruction

eg Select > control single device> select your sensor light > on/off > OFF

As long as you have the 'precondition > activate period> night' set correctly for the automation, your light should turn ON with any motion and then turn OFF after the delay period.

HOWEVER, there is a drawback to this solution, in that the light will turn OFF after the time delay period and you will have to move around again to turn it back ON. 😠

An alternative solution, if the light sensor supports 'motion state > NO motion',

would be to create a SECOND Automation, similar to the logic provided by Arlec BUT change the code:

'Select your sensor light > motion state > motion'   to . . .

'Select your sensor light > motion state > NO motion'

and change the code:

'Select > control single device> select your sensor light > on/off > on'   to . . .

Select > control single device> select your sensor light > on/off > OFF

Now you should have two Automations; one to turn the light ON if there is motion and one to turn the light OFF if there is no motion.

You may have to play around with the logic a little to suit your specific device and application requirements.

You could even add a THIRD Automation to test if the sensor light is ON during the day and, if so, turn it OFF.  This automation would obviously have to have the 'active period' set to DAY.

You can also do some tricky things like 'Enabling' and 'Disabling' Automations at different times, but that's a whole different rabbit hole.