I’ve been experimenting with motion lighting automation in my smart home setup, and I want to share my experience and some tips that might help others facing similar challenges. While setting up motion sensors to trigger lights when someone enters a room or opens a gate, I encountered an issue where the lights would turn off immediately after the gate closed, even though I wanted them to stay on for a few minutes.
Initially, I tried adjusting the settings within the motion lighting app, but it didn’t quite work as expected. After some research and trial and error, I discovered a workaround using virtual sensors. By creating a virtual motion sensor and linking it to the gate’s contact sensor, I could extend the time the lights stay on even after the gate is closed. This solution not only resolved the immediate issue but also allowed for more flexible automation scenarios.
Another challenge I faced was adjusting the dimming speed when the lights turn off after the set time. The app didn’t offer separate settings for on and off dim speeds, which made achieving the desired smooth transition a bit tricky. While I haven’t found a perfect solution yet, I’ve been able to work around it by tweaking other settings and using additional rules.
If anyone has suggestions or alternative methods to achieve these automation goals, I’d love to hear them! It’s always great to learn from the community and refine these smart home setups further. Happy automating! 