Program Execution Based on Light Level

[dbroere]

With the WeatherBug module installed, I'm trying to develop a way to have outside lights activate, based on the amount of light. I believe this will be more accurate than relying on sunset/sunrise times. On overcast days, for example, the lights need to come on earlier than clear days.

A LIMITATION: WeatherBug reports a zero value while there's still a considerable amount of light outside. There's no measurable difference between this point and "real dark" conditions.

 

Anyhow, given the limitation, this what I have to start with:

 

 If
       From    Sunset  -  1 hour 
       For      2 hours 
   And Module 'Climate' Light < 1 

Then
       Set Scene 'Outside Early Evening' On

Else
  - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action')

 

I want this program executing one time, as soon as the light level gets to less than one. Not sure how to keep it from executing repeatedly. Even with the "From/For", I'm afraid it will repeatedly execute for the two hour time period that "From/For" sets.

FYI: I shut this scene down at 11PM, then start a night light scent that will turn off at "Dawn", using a similar technique - in reverse.

 

(1) HOW DO I MAKE SURE THIS ONLY EXECUTES ONE TIME - WHEN THE LIGHT LEVEL GETS TO LESS THAN 1?

 

(2) DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THE WeatherBug Light= PARAMETER?

 

COMMENTS???

[oberkc]

You make me interested in the weatherbug module. Without any such experience, I am curious about your thoughts on the following:

 

Do you think the light < 1 behaves as a control or a status? If a control, is is possible that it might transition to this light condition before your time window opens? If so, may there be times when your program does not run?

 

Does it really hurt if this executes repeatedly? Once the scene is on, turning it on again won't have any affect, will it?

[Sub-Routine]

Hello dbroere,

 

If you only want to turn on the lights one time you should use a separate program and check to see if it has run (is True).

 

There is an example in the Wiki: ISY-99i_Series_INSTEON:Light_Data_Program. Good for a start though you will need to tweak it a bit.

 

And yes, 0 is still enough light to see with here as well, though I suspect it depends on the reporting station.

 

Rand