How to Set Up Outdoor Motion Lights with Philips Hue and Sonoff ZBMINI

General
1

I’ve been working on automating my outdoor lights using Philips Hue outdoor motion sensors and Sonoff ZBMINI switches. It’s been a bit of a learning curve, but I’m excited to share my progress and get some feedback from the community.

My Setup:

  • 3 outdoor lights on separate circuits
  • Philips Hue outdoor motion sensor (MS1)
  • 3 Sonoff ZBMINI switches (SW1, SW2, SW3)

Goals:

  1. Lights stay off during the day (lux > 50)
  2. Motion detection at night turns lights on for 5 minutes
  3. Manual control via switches overrides motion automation
  4. Prevent lights from turning off if manually turned on

Rules I’ve Designed:

  1. Switch-Based Operation

    • Trigger: Any switch (SW1, SW2, SW3) toggled
    • Action: Toggle all lights and update a global variable (BackyardLightsOn)

  2. Motion-Based Operation

    • Trigger: Motion detected (MS1)
    • Action: If lights are off and it’s dark, turn all lights on for 5 minutes

Challenges and Questions:

  • How to handle multiple motion triggers within the 5-minute window
  • Prevent lights from turning off if manually turned on
  • Ensure smooth interaction between manual and automated controls

Testing So Far:

  • Manual control works perfectly
  • Motion sensor activates lights at night
  • Lights turn off after 5 minutes of inactivity

Next Steps:

  • Add a delay in the switch rule to prevent state conflicts
  • Fine-tune the motion rule to extend the active period with additional triggers

Would love to hear if anyone has implemented a similar setup or has tips for improvement! :rocket: