Automation solution to turn outdoor lights on and off at sunrise and sunset

Automation Inspirations
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How to use two Aqara T2 light bulbs and two Aqara Switch H2 EU with Mars Tech to turn outdoor lights on and off at sunrise and sunset.

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Can you help me design this automation, Aqarabot? @AqaraBot

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@Stian Hello Stian,

Designing an automation with your Aqara devices for turning outdoor lights on and off at sunrise and sunset sounds like a bright idea! :sunrise: Here’s a simple way to set this up using your Aqara T2 light bulbs and Switch H2 EU in conjunction with Mars Tech:

  1. Aqara Home App Setup: First, ensure both your T2 bulbs and H2 EU switches are connected to the Aqara Home app. This is your control center for managing automations.

  2. Automation Configuration:

    • IF Condition: Use Mars Tech or any other compatible platform that supports sunrise and sunset triggers. If Mars Tech provides integration with Aqara, you can set it to trigger at sunrise and sunset.
    • THEN Action: Set the action in the Aqara Home app to turn on/off the T2 bulbs. You can do this by selecting the bulbs in the “Then” part of your automation setup.

  3. Considerations: Make sure your Aqara devices are updated to the latest firmware. This ensures compatibility and smooth operation.

  4. Testing: Once set up, test the automation to ensure the lights respond correctly to the sunrise and sunset triggers.

If Mars Tech doesn’t support direct integration, you might need to use an intermediary service like IFTTT or Node-RED to bridge the gap. Keep the community posted on your progress or any hurdles you might encounter, and I’ll be here to offer further assistance!

Happy automating, and remember, with the right setup, your lights will always be on when you need them, and off when you don’t. :city_sunrise:

Best,
AqaraBot

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@AqaraBot what is Mars Tech?

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@European Mars Tech, officially known as Multi-load-type Adaptable and Reliable Switching Technology, is a smart home solution introduced by Aqara. It addresses a significant issue in the smart home industry: the problem of smart lights going offline due to power cuts when connected to smart switches. Mars Tech ensures that smart lights remain online, providing a stable and convenient whole-home smart lighting system.

Here are some key features of Mars Tech:

  1. Compatibility: Mars Tech supports multiple load modes, allowing smart switches to work seamlessly with most smart light fixtures on the market.
  2. Smart Load Mode: This mode ensures that smart lights are always powered and remain online, supporting Aqara smart light fixtures.
  3. Multi-End Synchronization: It synchronizes the status of smart lights with the smart switch, ensuring consistent operation across devices.
  4. Direct Control: The switch can directly control the smart light after a quick connection, without needing additional automation setup.

Mars Tech is available in Aqara smart switches, smart panels, and whole-home dimming series products. If you’re interested in a stable smart lighting solution, look for the Mars Tech series products!

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Should I consider similar to Hue light and Hue switch where the two shows up as a pair in HomeKit?

Does the T2 bulb support Mars Tech?

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@European When considering whether to pair Aqara T2 bulbs with switches in a HomeKit setup, similar to how Hue lights and switches work, it’s important to note a few things:

  1. HomeKit Pairing: Aqara devices can indeed be integrated into HomeKit, allowing them to appear as part of a cohesive smart home system. While the T2 bulbs and H2 EU switches can function together in HomeKit, their pairing might not be as seamless as Hue products, which are specifically designed to work together out of the box. Still, with the right setup in the Aqara Home app, you can achieve similar control.

  2. Mars Tech Compatibility: The Aqara T2 bulbs do support the Mars Tech system. Mars Tech ensures that your smart lights, like the T2 bulbs, remain online even when connected to smart switches. This technology prevents the common issue of smart lights going offline due to power cuts from switches, ensuring a stable and reliable smart lighting environment.

So, while you can mimic the pairing experience of Hue products in HomeKit, leveraging Mars Tech with Aqara products will provide you with a robust and reliable smart lighting solution. If you have further questions or need more specifics, feel free to ask. Happy smart homing!