Garage light automation can be a game-changer for convenience and energy efficiency. I’d like to share a setup that has worked exceptionally well for managing my garage lights, combining both automatic and manual controls. This solution ensures lights come on when needed and turn off efficiently, even when manually overridden.
The Scenario
I have a standalone garage with three overhead doors and a side door, each equipped with tilt sensors. The side door also has a Yale Zigbee lock and a Lowe’s Zigbee open/close sensor. The challenge was to automate the lights to turn on when any door is opened and stay on for up to five minutes after closing, while also allowing manual override for extended use.
The Problem
Initially, the lights would occasionally get stuck on an incorrect temperature reading, causing them not to trigger as expected. This issue was resolved by ensuring the app is opened periodically to refresh the temperature sensor. However, the real challenge was creating a seamless automation that integrates both automatic and manual controls without conflicts.
The Solution
Here’s how I tackled it:
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Automatic Control
- Trigger: Any door opening (detected by tilt sensors or the side door sensor).
- Action: Turn on the lights and set a timer to turn them off after five minutes.
- Condition: If the lights are manually turned off, the automatic timer is disabled to prevent conflicts.
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Manual Override
- Double Tap: A double tap on a Zooz wall switch activates a special scene, turning the lights on indefinitely and disabling the automatic timer.
- Single Tap: A single tap turns the lights off and re-enables the automatic timer.
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Fail-Safe
- Nightly Shutdown: At 1 AM, the lights are turned off to ensure they don’t stay on unnecessarily, and the automatic timer is reset.
The Benefits
- Convenience: Lights automatically adjust based on door activity, eliminating the need to manually turn them on or off in most cases.
- Energy Efficiency: Lights are only on when needed, reducing wasted energy.
- Manual Control: The ability to override automation ensures flexibility for specific needs, like working in the garage with the doors closed.
Conclusion
This setup has been a reliable solution for managing garage lights, balancing automation with manual control. I’d love to hear how others have tackled similar challenges or if there are improvements that could be made to this system. Feel free to share your experiences or ask questions below!
Happy automating! 