Exploring Smart Lighting Automation and Variable Control

General
1

Hi everyone,

I’ve been diving into the world of smart lighting automation and variable control with Home Assistant, and I wanted to share some of my experiences and questions with the community.

Smart Lighting Automation: A Work in Progress

I recently set up a smart lighting system using IKEA LED bulbs and have been experimenting with automations to control their color temperature. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

  1. Color Temperature Automation
    I’ve created an automation that adjusts the color temperature of my living room lights based on button presses. When I press the left arrow, it sets the temperature to 2010K (warmer), and the right arrow sets it to 3240K (cooler). This works perfectly, but I want to add a variable to store the current state of the bulb before making any changes. I also want to adjust the temperature by 100K increments based on the button pressed. I’ve tried a few approaches, but I’m still not quite there. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

  2. Scene Integration
    I’ve also been working on integrating these lights into scenes. For example, I have a scene that turns off the TV and the lights in the living room. The lights turn off as expected, but the TV doesn’t respond. I’m using the hdmi_cec.standby service, which works when called directly. I’m not sure why it’s not triggering in the scene. Maybe I need to adjust the order of actions or add a delay?

Questions and Insights

  • Variables in Automations: I’m curious if there’s a more efficient way to use variables in automations without complicating the setup. I’d love to avoid creating separate automations for each room by using variables, but I’m not sure how to implement this correctly.
  • Device Compatibility: I’ve noticed that some devices, like my Philips Hue button, can interfere with other ZigBee devices. This happened recently when my Aqara switch started turning on unintentionally. Has anyone else experienced this, and how did you resolve it?

Tips and Tricks

  • Resetting Device Locations: If you’re having issues with Alexa thinking you’re in the wrong location, try resetting the device settings. Go to the device’s settings, ensure your address is correct, and reboot the device if necessary. This worked for me when Alexa mistakenly thought I was in Russia instead of Switzerland.
  • Memory Leaks in Controllers: I’ve noticed a slow memory leak in my C-8 hub. After updating to version 2.3.5.135, the issue worsened. Rebooting the hub temporarily fixes it, but I’d love to find a more permanent solution. If anyone has insights or similar experiences, I’d appreciate hearing about them.

Looking Ahead

I’m excited to explore more advanced automation features and improve my setup. Whether it’s perfecting my lighting scenes, resolving device compatibility issues, or optimizing my hub’s performance, I’m eager to learn from the community’s experiences.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your feedback and suggestions!

Best regards,
[Your Name]